Authored by the expert who managed and guided the team behind the Spain Property Pack
Everything you need to know before buying real estate is included in our Spain Property Pack
If you're wondering what kind of property you can actually afford in Costa Blanca in 2026, you're not alone.
We break down exactly what $100k, $200k, $300k, and $500k budgets can buy you along this popular Spanish coastline, with real neighborhood names and current price data.
This guide covers housing prices in Costa Blanca and we constantly update it to reflect the latest market conditions.
And if you're planning to buy a property in this place, you may want to download our pack covering the real estate market in Costa Blanca.
What can I realistically buy with $100k in Costa Blanca right now?
Are there any decent properties for $100k in Costa Blanca, or is it all scams?
Yes, you can still find decent properties for around $100,000 (about 85,000 euros) in Costa Blanca, but they typically come with trade-offs like being located inland, needing some renovation, or being smaller studios in older buildings.
The best value for a $100k budget in Costa Blanca tends to be in inland towns like Elda, Petrer, Alcoy, Novelda, Aspe, Villena, and Crevillent, where your money stretches further and you can find modest apartments that are not purely distressed properties.
Buying in popular or upscale Costa Blanca areas like Playa de San Juan, Altea Hills, Moraira, or Javea for $100k is generally not realistic unless you're looking at a tiny studio, a distressed unit, or something with significant legal or structural issues, since prime areas in Alicante city alone exceed 3,000 euros per square meter.
What property types can I afford for $100k in Costa Blanca (studio, land, old house)?
For $100,000 (around 85,000 euros) in Costa Blanca, you're typically looking at studios or small one-bedroom apartments in the 30 to 55 square meter range, small townhouses in inland towns that need renovation, or basic land plots inland where building permissions and utility connections become the real cost challenge.
At the $100k price point in Costa Blanca, expect properties in "cosmetic to medium" condition, meaning you'll likely need to budget for paint, flooring, basic kitchen updates, and possibly bathroom or window work, especially if you're buying an older inland house.
For long-term value at this budget, small apartments in towns with year-round populations like Elda or Villena tend to be safer bets than purely seasonal coastal stock, since Spain's rising housing prices (confirmed by INE data) mean the cheapest coastal inventory gets picked over quickly, leaving more "fixer" deals.
What's a realistic budget to get a comfortable property in Costa Blanca as of 2026?
As of early 2026, a realistic minimum budget to get a comfortable property in Costa Blanca is around $200,000 (approximately 170,000 euros), which opens up solid one to two bedroom apartments in decent locations without major renovation headaches.
Most buyers looking for a genuinely comfortable standard in Costa Blanca need between $200,000 and $300,000 (170,000 to 255,000 euros), though the specific amount depends heavily on whether you prioritize size, location, or building quality.
"Comfortable" in Costa Blanca typically means a 60 to 90 square meter apartment with modern finishes, a terrace, access to a pool, parking, and a lift, in a building that's well-maintained and within reasonable distance of amenities.
Budget requirements vary dramatically across Costa Blanca neighborhoods: $200k might buy comfort in El Campello or Santa Pola, but you'd need closer to $300k for similar comfort in Javea or the better parts of Alicante city like Playa de San Juan.
Get fresh and reliable information about the market in Costa Blanca
Don't base significant investment decisions on outdated data. Get updated and accurate information with our guide.
What can I get with a $200k budget in Costa Blanca as of 2026?
What "normal" homes become available at $200k in Costa Blanca as of 2026?
As of early 2026, a $200,000 budget (around 170,000 euros) in Costa Blanca typically unlocks solid one to two bedroom apartments with features like a terrace, access to a communal pool, and parking, in locations with walkable amenities rather than isolated resort complexes.
For $200k in Costa Blanca, you can expect apartments in the 60 to 85 square meter range in mid-market coastal zones, though if you look inland or in value-focused towns, that same budget can stretch to 80 to 110 square meters.
By the way, we have much more granular data about housing prices in our property pack about Costa Blanca.
What places are the smartest $200k buys in Costa Blanca as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the smartest $200k buys in Costa Blanca tend to be in places like Alicante city's non-prime neighborhoods (Babel, San Blas, Carolinas), El Campello, Villajoyosa, Santa Pola, Guardamar del Segura, and the Denia outskirts including La Xara and Ondara.
These areas represent smarter buys because they combine year-round resident populations with solid rental demand and resale liquidity, unlike purely seasonal tourist zones where your property might sit empty or hard to sell for much of the year.
The main growth driver in these smart-buy Costa Blanca areas is sustained demand from both international buyers seeking Mediterranean lifestyle and Spanish families priced out of bigger cities, which keeps inventory moving and supports steady appreciation.
We have made this infographic to give you a quick and clear snapshot of the property market in Spain. It highlights key facts like rental prices, yields, and property costs both in city centers and outside, so you can easily compare opportunities. We’ve done some research and also included useful insights about the country’s economy, like GDP, population, and interest rates, to help you understand the bigger picture.
What can I buy with $300k in Costa Blanca in 2026?
What quality upgrade do I get at $300k in Costa Blanca in 2026?
As of early 2026, moving from $200k to $300k (around 255,000 euros) in Costa Blanca typically lets you combine two or more desirable features: a better location closer to the sea, a second bedroom, a newer building, sea views, or premium amenities like a private terrace and underground parking.
Yes, $300k can often buy a property in a newer building in Costa Blanca, especially in South Costa Blanca urbanizations like La Zenia, Villamartin, and Playa Flamenca, as well as newer developments in Benidorm outskirts, Finestrat, and El Campello.
At the $300k budget in Costa Blanca, you start seeing features like modern kitchens with quality appliances, air conditioning done properly throughout, double-glazed windows, quality bathroom finishes, and well-designed outdoor living spaces.
Can $300k buy a 2-bedroom in Costa Blanca in 2026 in good areas?
As of early 2026, yes, $300,000 (about 255,000 euros) can definitely buy a two-bedroom property in many good areas of Costa Blanca, though you won't be in the absolute prime front-line positions of the most expensive towns.
Good Costa Blanca areas where $300k buys a solid two-bedroom include Alicante city (outside Playa de San Juan's front line), El Campello, Villajoyosa, Denia (not the most premium micro-streets), and better-quality units in Torrevieja and La Mata.
A $300k two-bedroom in Costa Blanca typically offers 70 to 100 square meters of living space, with the exact size depending on whether you prioritize location prestige or square footage.
Which places become "accessible" at $300k in Costa Blanca as of 2026?
At the $300k price point in Costa Blanca, "aspirational" names start becoming realistic for apartments: Playa de San Juan in Alicante (not the absolute best addresses, but good units), Altea town, better locations in Denia, and Benidorm buildings with actual views.
These newly accessible Costa Blanca areas are desirable because they offer the combination of beach proximity, established infrastructure, strong international communities, and the Mediterranean lifestyle that buyers dream about, rather than the inland or secondary locations available at lower budgets.
For $300k in these newly accessible Costa Blanca areas, expect a well-maintained two-bedroom apartment with a terrace, often in a building with a pool and parking, positioned within walking distance of restaurants, shops, and beaches.
By the way, we've written a blog article detailing what are the current best areas to invest in property in Costa Blanca.
Get to know the market before buying a property in Costa Blanca
Better information leads to better decisions. Get all the data you need before investing a large amount of money. Download our guide.
What does a $500k budget unlock in Costa Blanca in 2026?
What's the typical size and location for $500k in Costa Blanca in 2026?
As of early 2026, a $500,000 budget (around 426,000 euros) in Costa Blanca typically buys large two to three bedroom apartments of 90 to 140 square meters in highly desirable coastal towns, townhouses of 120 to 200 square meters in good urbanizations, or entry-level villas in many (not all) Costa Blanca areas.
Yes, $500k can buy a family home with outdoor space in Costa Blanca, with realistic options in places like El Campello, Santa Pola, Gran Alacant, Finestrat, Denia outskirts, Pedreguer, Ondara, and throughout Orihuela Costa where outdoor amenities are a standard feature.
At the $500k level in Costa Blanca, you're typically looking at two to three bedrooms and two bathrooms, with many properties offering a third bedroom or a study, plus generous outdoor space like a private garden, large terrace, or rooftop solarium.
Finally, please note that we cover all the housing price data in Costa Blanca here.
Which "premium" neighborhoods open up at $500k in Costa Blanca in 2026?
At the $500k budget in Costa Blanca, genuinely premium names become realistic: Javea (including the Arenal and Portitxol areas depending on product), Moraira, Altea Hills, premium parts of Denia, Playa de San Juan-El Cabo in Alicante, and Las Colinas Golf in Orihuela Costa.
These Costa Blanca neighborhoods are considered premium because they offer front-line or elevated sea views, established international communities with excellent dining and services, lower density development, and the kind of natural beauty and exclusivity that holds value over time.
For $500k in these premium Costa Blanca neighborhoods, expect a quality two to three bedroom apartment with sea views and high-spec finishes, or a smaller townhouse in a gated community, though standalone villas with the best views will typically require a higher budget.
We did some research and made this infographic to help you quickly compare rental yields of the major cities in Spain versus those in neighboring countries. It provides a clear view of how this country positions itself as a real estate investment destination, which might interest you if you’re planning to invest there.
What counts as "luxury" in Costa Blanca in 2026?
At what amount does "luxury" start in Costa Blanca right now?
In Costa Blanca, luxury apartments generally start around $600,000 to $800,000 (510,000 to 680,000 euros), while luxury villas typically begin at $900,000 to $1.5 million or more, depending on the specific town and whether you have direct sea views or front-line positioning.
The entry point to luxury in Costa Blanca is defined by features like front-line sea access, panoramic Mediterranean views, architect-designed spaces, infinity pools, high-end finishes like natural stone and designer kitchens, smart home systems, and positioning in the most exclusive micro-locations.
Compared to markets like the French Riviera or Mallorca, Costa Blanca's luxury threshold remains relatively accessible, offering similar sunshine and lifestyle at roughly half to two-thirds the price of those more established Mediterranean luxury destinations.
Mid-tier luxury in Costa Blanca runs from about $1 million to $2 million (850,000 to 1.7 million euros), while top-tier properties in the most exclusive positions with exceptional views and land can reach $3 million to $5 million (2.5 to 4.3 million euros) and occasionally higher.
Which areas are truly high-end in Costa Blanca right now?
The truly high-end areas in Costa Blanca are Moraira, Javea (especially Portitxol, Granadella-adjacent areas, and premium Arenal positions), Altea Hills and the best-view Altea pockets, prime hillside Denia, Playa de San Juan-El Cabo's top addresses in Alicante, and Las Colinas Golf as a premium resort niche.
What makes these Costa Blanca areas truly high-end is the combination of natural beauty with dramatic cliffs and coves, established wealthy international communities (particularly British, Scandinavian, Belgian, and German buyers), low-density development that protects privacy, and decades of reputation as the coast's most desirable addresses.
The typical buyer in these high-end Costa Blanca areas is a Northern European retiree or semi-retired professional seeking a primary or substantial second home, often paying cash, with a focus on quality of life, security, and the social infrastructure of an established expat community.
Don't buy the wrong property, in the wrong area of Costa Blanca
Buying real estate is a significant investment. Don't rely solely on your intuition. Gather the right information to make the best decision.
How much does it really cost to buy, beyond the price, in Costa Blanca in 2026?
What are the total closing costs in Costa Blanca in 2026 as a percentage?
As of early 2026, total closing costs for buying a resale property in Costa Blanca (Alicante province, Valencian Community) run approximately 11% to 14% of the purchase price for a typical cash transaction.
The realistic low-to-high range covering most standard Costa Blanca transactions is 10% on the lean side (smaller property, efficient process) up to 15% if you face higher transfer tax rates or complex legal situations.
The main fee categories making up Costa Blanca closing costs are ITP (transfer tax, which is the biggest piece at around 8% to 10%), notary fees, land registry fees, and lawyer/conveyancing fees, plus small administrative items like the gestor and document processing.
To avoid hidden costs and bad surprises, you can check our our pack covering the property buying process in Costa Blanca.
How much are notary, registration, and legal fees in Costa Blanca in 2026?
As of early 2026, notary fees in Costa Blanca typically run 0.3% to 0.6% of the purchase price (roughly 500 to 1,500 euros for typical properties, or $600 to $1,750), land registry fees are 0.1% to 0.3% (around 300 to 800 euros, or $350 to $950), and lawyer fees are commonly around 1% plus VAT (1,500 to 3,000 euros, or $1,750 to $3,500 for typical transactions).
Together, these three fees typically represent 1.5% to 2% of the property price in Costa Blanca, though for very expensive properties the percentage can be lower due to the degressive nature of the official fee schedules.
Of the three, legal fees (your lawyer or conveyancer) are usually the most expensive in Costa Blanca, especially for foreign buyers who need extra services like NIE assistance, document translation, and checking for debts or legal issues on the property.
What annual property taxes should I expect in Costa Blanca in 2026?
As of early 2026, the main annual property tax in Costa Blanca is IBI (Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles), which typically costs a few hundred to around 1,000 euros ($350 to $1,200) per year for apartments, and more for large villas, depending on the town and the property's cadastral value.
IBI in Costa Blanca generally represents about 0.3% to 1.1% of the property's cadastral value (not market value), with the exact rate set by each municipality, so a property with a 100,000 euro cadastral value might pay 400 to 800 euros annually.
Property taxes in Costa Blanca vary significantly by location: Torrevieja and Orihuela Costa tend to have higher IBI rates, while some smaller inland towns have lower rates, and the tax also scales with property size and type, with villas paying substantially more than apartments.
Non-resident foreign owners in Costa Blanca also face an annual imputed income tax even if they don't rent the property, calculated as a percentage of cadastral value, though some tax treaties and the new digital nomad visa rules may offer relief in specific situations.
You can find the list of all property taxes, costs and fees when buying in Costa Blanca here.
Is mortgage a viable option for foreigners in Costa Blanca right now?
Yes, mortgages are available to foreigners buying in Costa Blanca, with major Spanish banks like CaixaBank, Bankinter, Sabadell, and Santander actively lending to international buyers, though the terms are typically stricter than for Spanish residents.
Foreign buyers in Costa Blanca can generally expect loan-to-value ratios of 60% to 70% (meaning you need 30% to 40% down payment), with interest rates for non-residents currently running somewhat higher than resident rates, often in the 3% to 5% range depending on the bank and your profile.
To qualify for a mortgage in Costa Blanca as a foreigner, you'll typically need to provide an NIE (foreigner identification number), proof of income for the past two to three years, bank statements, a clean credit history from your home country, and documentation showing you can cover the down payment and closing costs from legitimate sources.
You'll find our latest property market analysis about Costa Blanca here.
We made this infographic to show you how property prices in Spain compare to other big cities across the region. It breaks down the average price per square meter in city centers, so you can see how cities stack up. It’s an easy way to spot where you might get the best value for your money. We hope you like it.
What should I predict for resale and growth in Costa Blanca in 2026?
What property types resell fastest in Costa Blanca in 2026?
As of early 2026, the property types that resell fastest in Costa Blanca are two-bedroom apartments in walkable, year-round towns with strong international communities, particularly units with a terrace, lift, air conditioning, and ideally parking.
A well-priced, desirable property in Costa Blanca typically sells in two to six months, though properties with issues like unclear paperwork, community debt, or overambitious pricing can sit for a year or longer.
What makes certain Costa Blanca properties sell faster is the combination of clean legal status (especially important for tourist license clarity), positioning in towns with year-round populations like Alicante city, El Campello, Villajoyosa, Denia, or Benidorm rather than purely seasonal resort areas, and practical features that appeal to both holidaymakers and permanent residents.
The slowest-selling properties in Costa Blanca tend to be oversized villas in purely seasonal areas with high community fees, inland properties without clear appeal to either locals or tourists, and any property with legal complications like unclear boundaries, building irregularities, or unresolved inheritance issues.
If you're interested, we cover all the best exit strategies in our real estate pack about Costa Blanca.
Make a profitable investment in Costa Blanca
Better information leads to better decisions. Save time and money. Download our guide.
What sources have we used to write this blog article?
Whether it's in our blog articles or the market analyses included in our property pack about Costa Blanca, we always rely on the strongest methodology we can … and we don't throw out numbers at random.
We also aim to be fully transparent, so below we've listed the authoritative sources we used, and explained how we used them and the methods behind our estimates.
| Source | Why it's authoritative | How we used it |
|---|---|---|
| European Central Bank (ECB) | The official daily EUR/USD reference rate from Europe's central bank. | We used this to convert USD budgets into realistic euro amounts for Costa Blanca. This keeps all price comparisons consistent and accurate for foreign buyers. |
| Banco de Espana | Spain's central bank aggregating key housing market indicators. | We used their BExplora dashboard to understand macro market pressure and credit conditions. This helped us ground Costa Blanca pricing in broader Spanish economic reality. |
| INE (National Statistics Institute) | Spain's official statistics agency with standardized methodology. | We used their Housing Price Index to confirm price trend direction and strength. This serves as our baseline reality check for all trend claims about Costa Blanca. |
| MIVAU (Ministry of Housing) | Official ministry dataset tied to appraisal and valuation reporting. | We used this to triangulate price levels with appraisal-based data, not just listing prices. This provides a second official anchor alongside INE data. |
| Colegio de Registradores | Official registrars' source based on recorded transactions and mortgages. | We used this to ground claims about transaction reality and market activity. This helps us verify what actually sells, not just what's listed. |
| DOGV (Valencian Community Gazette) | The official gazette for Valencian Community legislation. | We used this to anchor the legal basis for purchase tax rules in Costa Blanca. This ensures our tax information reflects what actually applies in 2026. |
| BOE (State Official Gazette) | Spain's official state gazette and primary legal text source. | We used this for the national ITP/AJD framework and fee schedules. This prevents "blog-law" errors in our closing cost estimates. |
| Spanish Cadastre (Catastro) | The official source for reference values used in several taxes. | We used this to explain the taxable value rules that affect buyers. This helps readers avoid surprises where tax is based on cadastral, not purchase, price. |
| idealista | Spain's dominant property portal with transparent price methodology. | We used this for granular neighborhood-level examples where official data doesn't go deep enough. We treat these as asking prices and cross-check against official sources. |
| Tinsa | Long-standing Spanish housing index and valuation firm. | We used their reports to triangulate recent price growth in coastal markets. This provides a professional counterweight to listing portal data. |
| CaixaBank HolaBank | One of Spain's largest banks and a primary lender to international buyers. | We used their buyer guide to ground mortgage requirements for foreigners. This keeps our financing section practical and bank-verified. |
| Bankinter | A major Spanish bank explaining its lending stance to non-residents. | We used this to support the reality that non-resident mortgages exist but are stricter. This justifies our guidance on higher down payments. |
We created this infographic to give you a simple idea of how much it costs to buy property in different parts of Spain. As you can see, it breaks down price ranges and property types for popular cities in the country. We hope this makes it easier to explore your options and understand the market.