Authored by the expert who managed and guided the team behind the Spain Property Pack
Yes, the analysis of Malaga's property market is included in our pack
If you're curious about how much it costs to buy a home in Malaga in 2026, you're in the right place.
We constantly update this blog post with the latest data on Malaga housing prices, so you always get fresh and reliable numbers.
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 Malaga.
Insights
- Malaga property prices rose about 10% in the past year, but after adjusting for Spain's 3% inflation, the real increase is closer to 7%.
- The gap between asking prices and actual sale prices in Malaga averages around 8%, so buyers often have room to negotiate below the listed price.
- New-build homes in Malaga sell for roughly 12% to 15% more per square meter than comparable existing properties, mainly due to better energy efficiency and modern layouts.
- Malaga's eastern coastal districts like El Limonar and Pedregalejo have the highest prices, often exceeding €5,000 per square meter for premium properties.
- Budget-friendly neighborhoods such as Ciudad Jardin offer entry points around €2,200 to €2,700 per square meter, nearly half the price of prime areas.
- Over the past 10 years, Malaga property prices have increased by roughly 110% in nominal terms, or about 65% when adjusted for inflation.
- About 70% of the Malaga housing market consists of apartments, reflecting the city's dense urban layout and limited space for detached homes.
- Buyers should budget an extra 10% to 14% on top of the purchase price to cover transfer taxes, notary fees, and registration costs in Malaga.
- At the €100,000 budget level, there is very little market inside Malaga city, as most standard homes start around €120,000 or higher.
- International demand, including remote workers and lifestyle migrants, continues to fuel Malaga's housing market and keeps supply tight in coastal areas.
What is the average housing price in Malaga in 2026?
The median housing price is more telling than the average because it represents the middle point of all sales, so it isn't skewed upward by a few expensive villas or luxury penthouses.
We are writing this as of the first half of 2026, using the latest data collected from authoritative sources like Idealista, Colegio de Registradores, and Tinsa, which we manually cross-checked for accuracy.
The median housing price in Malaga in 2026 is approximately €250,000 ($295,000), while the average housing price in Malaga is around €315,000 ($371,000). The average is higher because Malaga has a meaningful number of premium coastal properties and large villas that pull the mean upward.
About 80% of residential properties in Malaga in 2026 fall within a price range of €170,000 to €520,000 ($200,000 to $613,000).
A realistic entry range in Malaga starts at €120,000 to €170,000 ($141,000 to $200,000), which typically gets you an older one-bedroom apartment of 35 to 45 square meters in neighborhoods like Ciudad Jardin or Campanillas.
Luxury properties in Malaga in 2026 generally range from €900,000 to €2,500,000 or more ($1.06 million to $2.95 million), and at this level you can find renovated villas of 180 to 300 square meters in prime areas like El Limonar or Pedregalejo, often with sea views, terraces, and pools.
By the way, you will find much more detailed price ranges in our property pack covering the real estate market in Malaga.
Are Malaga property listing prices close to the actual sale price in 2026?
In Malaga in 2026, closed sale prices average about 8% below the listed asking prices.
This gap exists because many sellers in Malaga list with a pricing cushion expecting negotiations, and bank valuations sometimes come in lower than asking prices, which forces buyers to push back. The discount tends to be smaller for unique properties with sea views or terraces in prime coastal areas, and larger for standard apartments in zones with more available listings.
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What is the price per sq m or per sq ft for properties in Malaga in 2026?
As of early 2026, the median closed-sale price in Malaga is approximately €2,950 per square meter (€274 per square foot), which equals about $3,480 per square meter ($323 per square foot). The average price runs slightly higher at around €3,250 per square meter (€302 per square foot), or $3,830 per square meter ($356 per square foot).
Smaller, well-located apartments of 40 to 70 square meters in prime areas like Centro or La Malagueta tend to have the highest price per square meter in Malaga, because location premium and high demand drive up prices per unit of space, while larger older properties in outer districts have the lowest price per square meter due to distance from the center and renovation needs.
In Malaga in 2026, the highest prices per square meter are found in the eastern districts, with Este averaging around €4,700 per square meter and Centro around €4,100 per square meter. The lowest prices per square meter are in Ciudad Jardin at around €2,500 per square meter and Churriana at approximately €2,800 per square meter.
How have property prices evolved in Malaga?
Compared to one year ago, Malaga property prices have increased by approximately 10% in nominal terms, or about 7% after adjusting for Spain's 3% inflation rate. This growth happened because demand remained strong from both local and international buyers while the supply of desirable properties in central and coastal areas stayed limited.
Looking back 10 years, Malaga property prices have risen by roughly 110% in nominal terms, or about 65% in real terms after accounting for inflation. This dramatic increase reflects Malaga's transformation into an international destination for tourism, remote work, and lifestyle migration, combined with construction constraints that prevented supply from keeping pace with demand.
By the way, we've written a blog article detailing the latest updates on property price variations in Malaga.
Finally, if you want to know whether now is a good time to buy a property there, you can check our pack covering everything there is to know about the housing market in Malaga.
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 types of properties are available in Malaga and what do they cost in 2026?
In Malaga in 2026, apartments make up about 70% of the market because the city has a dense urban layout, while penthouses account for around 5%, townhouses about 8%, detached villas roughly 7%, new-build units about 7%, and other types like duplexes and lofts make up the remaining 3%.
Studios and small one-bedroom flats in Malaga typically cost €130,000 ($153,000), standard two to three bedroom apartments range from €260,000 to €340,000 ($306,000 to $401,000), and premium apartments in prime areas run from €450,000 to €850,000 ($530,000 to $1 million). Penthouses generally cost between €600,000 and €1.2 million ($707,000 to $1.41 million), townhouses range from €420,000 to €750,000 ($495,000 to $884,000), and detached villas start at €900,000 and can exceed €2.5 million ($1.06 million to $2.95 million or more).
If you want to know more, you should read our dedicated analyses:
- How much should you pay for a house in Malaga?
- How much should you pay for an apartment in Malaga?
- How much should you pay for a villa in Malaga?
How do property prices compare between existing and new homes in Malaga in 2026?
In Malaga in 2026, new-build properties sell for approximately 12% to 15% more per square meter than comparable existing homes.
This premium exists because new construction in Malaga is relatively scarce in the most desirable zones, and new-build homes offer better energy efficiency, modern layouts, elevators, and builder warranties that buyers value highly.
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How do property prices vary by neighborhood in Malaga in 2026?
In Centro Historico and Soho, you will find mostly renovated apartments ranging from 60 to 120 square meters, priced between €420,000 and €750,000 ($495,000 to $884,000). These areas command premium prices because of their walkability, cultural attractions, restaurants, and central location that appeals to both locals and international buyers.
La Malagueta offers apartments with sea views and terraces, typically 70 to 150 square meters, priced from €550,000 to €1.1 million ($648,000 to $1.30 million). The combination of beach access, central location, and limited available properties creates strong demand and keeps prices among the highest in Malaga.
Pedregalejo features renovated apartments and some villas of 80 to 180 square meters, with prices ranging from €500,000 to €1.3 million ($589,000 to $1.53 million). This seaside neighborhood has a relaxed village atmosphere that attracts expats and long-term residents looking for coastal living with good local amenities.
You will find a much more detailed analysis by areas in our property pack about Malaga. Meanwhile, here is a quick summary table we have made so you can understand how prices change across areas:
| Neighborhood | Profile | Avg Price Range (€ and $) | Avg per sqm (€ and $) | Avg per sqft (€ and $) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Centro Historico | Lifestyle / Commute | €420k-€850k | $495k-$1M | €3,700-€4,600 | $4,360-$5,420 | €344-€427 | $405-$504 |
| Soho / Ensanche Centro | Lifestyle / Creative | €350k-€700k | $413k-$825k | €3,300-€4,200 | $3,890-$4,950 | €307-€390 | $361-$460 |
| La Malagueta | Prime / Beach | €600k-€1.2M | $707k-$1.41M | €4,200-€5,400 | $4,950-$6,360 | €390-€502 | $460-$591 |
| El Limonar | Family / Prime | €900k-€2.5M | $1.06M-$2.95M | €4,500-€6,200 | $5,300-$7,310 | €418-€576 | $493-$679 |
| Pedregalejo | Beach / Expat-Popular | €520k-€1.3M | $613k-$1.53M | €4,000-€5,600 | $4,720-$6,600 | €372-€520 | $438-$613 |
| Teatinos | Family / Value | €220k-€420k | $259k-$495k | €2,900-€3,600 | $3,420-$4,250 | €269-€335 | $318-$395 |
| Carretera de Cadiz (Huelin) | Beach-Adjacent / Commute | €230k-€480k | $271k-$566k | €3,000-€3,900 | $3,540-$4,600 | €279-€362 | $329-$428 |
| Cruz de Humilladero | Commute / Family | €200k-€420k | $236k-$495k | €2,700-€3,300 | $3,180-$3,890 | €251-€307 | $295-$361 |
| Bailen-Miraflores | Value | €160k-€320k | $189k-$377k | €2,600-€3,200 | $3,070-$3,770 | €242-€297 | $285-$350 |
| Ciudad Jardin | Entry / Value | €120k-€250k | $141k-$295k | €2,200-€2,700 | $2,590-$3,180 | €204-€251 | $241-$295 |
| Churriana | Suburban / Space | €180k-€450k | $212k-$530k | €2,400-€3,100 | $2,830-$3,660 | €223-€288 | $263-$340 |
| Campanillas | Entry / Suburban | €130k-€320k | $153k-$377k | €2,200-€2,900 | $2,590-$3,420 | €204-€269 | $241-$318 |
How much more do you pay for properties in Malaga when you include renovation work, taxes, and fees?
In Malaga in 2026, buyers typically pay an additional 10% to 14% on top of the purchase price to cover transfer taxes, notary fees, registration costs, and potential renovation work.
If you buy a property around $200,000 (approximately €170,000) in Malaga, you should expect to pay about €14,500 ($17,000) extra for the standard 7% transfer tax plus 1.5% in notary and registry fees. This brings your total all-in cost to roughly €184,500 ($217,000).
For a property around $500,000 (approximately €424,000) in Malaga, the additional costs would be around €36,000 ($42,500) for taxes and fees, bringing your total to approximately €460,000 ($542,500).
If you purchase a property around $1,000,000 (approximately €848,000) in Malaga, you would pay about €72,000 ($85,000) in transfer taxes and fees, making your total investment roughly €920,000 ($1,085,000).
By the way, we keep updated a blog article detailing the property taxes and fees to factor in the total buying cost in Malaga.
Meanwhile, here is a detailed table of the additional expenses you may have to pay when buying a new property in Malaga:
| Expense | Category | Estimated Cost Range (€ and $) |
|---|---|---|
| Property Transfer Tax (ITP) | Tax | Approximately 7% of the purchase price for resale properties in Andalusia. For example, on a €350,000 property, you would pay around €24,500 ($28,900). Some reduced rates may apply for specific buyer categories. |
| VAT (New Build) | Tax | 10% of the purchase price for new construction properties. This replaces the transfer tax when buying directly from a developer. On a €400,000 new-build, expect €40,000 ($47,100) in VAT. |
| Stamp Duty (AJD) | Tax | Around 1.2% in Andalusia for documented legal acts. This applies to new builds in addition to VAT and to mortgage deeds. On a €300,000 property, this equals approximately €3,600 ($4,240). |
| Notary Fees | Fee | Typically 0.3% to 0.5% of the purchase price, depending on the property value and complexity. For a €250,000 property, expect to pay between €750 and €1,250 ($885 to $1,475). |
| Land Registry Fees | Fee | Usually 0.4% to 0.6% of the purchase price. For a €300,000 home, this would be approximately €1,200 to €1,800 ($1,415 to $2,120). These fees register your ownership officially. |
| Legal Assistance | Service | Between €1,500 and €4,000 ($1,770 to $4,720) depending on complexity. A lawyer can handle due diligence, contract review, and ensure the property has no outstanding debts or legal issues. |
| Light Renovation | Renovation | €300 to €600 per square meter ($350 to $707 per sqm). This covers cosmetic updates like painting, new flooring, and kitchen or bathroom refreshes. A 90 sqm apartment might cost €27,000 to €54,000. |
| Heavy Renovation | Renovation | €800 to €1,200 per square meter ($943 to $1,414 per sqm). This includes structural changes, full electrical and plumbing updates, and complete interior redesign. A 100 sqm property could cost €80,000 to €120,000. |
| Renovation VAT | Tax | Often 10% reduced VAT rate for qualifying renovation works on residential properties. This applies when hiring licensed contractors for your primary residence. Standard rate is 21% for non-qualifying works. |
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 properties can you buy in Malaga in 2026 with different budgets?
With $100,000 (approximately €85,000), there is very little market inside Malaga city for standard residential homes, as most properties start above this price point and you would only find very small units needing major renovation in peripheral locations.
With $200,000 (approximately €170,000), you could buy an existing one-bedroom apartment of around 40 square meters in Ciudad Jardin, a small two-bedroom flat of 55 square meters in Bailen-Miraflores, or a one-bedroom apartment of 45 square meters in Campanillas.
With $300,000 (approximately €255,000), you could purchase an existing two-bedroom apartment of 70 square meters in Teatinos, a three-bedroom flat of 85 square meters in Cruz de Humilladero, or a two-bedroom apartment of 65 square meters in the Carretera de Cadiz area.
With $500,000 (approximately €424,000), you could find a three-bedroom apartment of 105 square meters in a better building in Teatinos, a two to three bedroom flat of 95 square meters in Huelin or Pacifico, or a two-bedroom apartment of 80 square meters on the edge of Centro or in Soho.
With $1,000,000 (approximately €848,000), you could buy a three-bedroom apartment of 130 square meters in La Malagueta (existing or renovated), a large apartment of 150 square meters in prime Centro, or a townhouse of 180 square meters in Churriana.
With $2,000,000 (approximately €1.7 million), you could purchase a renovated villa of 250 square meters in El Limonar, a villa of 300 square meters with a pool in Pedregalejo, or a prime penthouse of 160 square meters with a terrace and sea views in La Malagueta.
If you need a more detailed analysis, we have a blog article detailing what you can buy at different budget levels in Malaga.
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 Malaga, 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 Name | Why It's Authoritative | How We Used It |
|---|---|---|
| European Central Bank | The ECB provides the official daily benchmark foreign exchange reference rates for the euro. | We used the ECB reference rate of 1 EUR = $1.1787 from December 2025 as our conversion rate. We applied this consistently across all currency conversions in the article. |
| INE (Spain National Statistics) | Spain's national statistics office is the official source for consumer price index and inflation data. | We used INE data to inflation-adjust historical price comparisons over 10 years. We also verified current annual inflation rates of approximately 3% for late 2025. |
| Idealista | Spain's largest real estate marketplace publishes transparent, regularly updated price indexes for asking prices. | We treated Idealista as the best high-frequency view of listing prices in Malaga city. We used their district-level data for neighborhood price ranges and year-over-year change calculations. |
| Colegio de Registradores | This is a national registry-based dataset built from actual property registrations and real transactions. | We used Registradores as ground-truth anchor for transaction prices versus listings. We also referenced their data on new versus used price gaps and foreign buyer statistics. |
| Tinsa | Tinsa is one of Spain's most established valuation firms with a long-running housing price indicator. | We used Tinsa as a second independent benchmark for price per square meter. We triangulated their valuation data with Registradores transactions and Idealista listings. |
| Junta de Andalucia (ITP/AJD) | This is the official regional government page for Andalusia's property transfer tax framework. | We used this source to anchor our discussion of buyer taxes and fees in Malaga. We combined it with official guidance documents to calculate practical cost ranges. |
| Junta de Andalucia (Tax Guide PDF) | This is an official detailed taxpayer guide published by the Andalusian regional administration. | We used this guide to support concrete examples of transfer tax and stamp duty costs. We translated the tax mechanics into simple buyer-facing percentages and euro amounts. |
| Agencia Tributaria | Spain's national tax authority is the most reliable reference for VAT rates and tax regulations. | We used this source to ground renovation VAT assumptions at the reduced 10% rate. We kept renovation cost examples realistic for owner-occupiers meeting qualifying conditions. |
| Kyero | Kyero is a well-established property portal with comprehensive buyer guides for Spain. | We referenced Kyero for typical notary and registry fee ranges. We cross-checked their estimates against official sources to ensure accuracy. |
| Idealista Listings Portal | The active listings on Idealista provide real-time market data on available properties. | We analyzed current listings to estimate market share by property type. We used listing data to validate price ranges across different neighborhoods and property categories. |
| INE Consumer Price Index | The INE CPI database provides official inflation statistics for calculating real price changes. | We used INE CPI data to calculate inflation-adjusted price growth over one and ten years. We determined that real price growth is approximately 7% year-over-year after adjusting for 3% inflation. |
| Registradores Main Portal | The Spanish Property Registrars Association maintains authoritative records of all registered property transactions. | We accessed historical transaction data to track price evolution over multiple years. We used provincial-level data to confirm Malaga's position among Spain's most expensive property markets. |
| Tinsa Main Portal | Tinsa provides independent property valuations used by banks for mortgage lending decisions. | We used Tinsa quarterly reports to track valuation trends. We compared their valuations to asking prices to estimate the typical discount between listing and closed-sale prices. |
| Junta de Andalucia Main Portal | The Andalusian regional government is the authoritative source for local tax policies and regulations. | We monitored policy updates affecting property transfer taxes. We verified that the 7% standard ITP rate remains in effect for most residential purchases. |
| Agencia Tributaria Main Portal | The Spanish Tax Agency sets and enforces all national tax regulations including VAT. | We confirmed current VAT rates of 10% for new residential construction. We verified conditions under which reduced VAT applies to renovation works. |
| ECB Main Portal | The European Central Bank publishes official monetary policy and exchange rate information. | We tracked euro-dollar exchange rate movements to select an appropriate conversion rate. We used the December 2025 rate as a practical January 2026 proxy. |
| INE Main Portal | Spain's National Statistics Institute provides comprehensive economic and demographic data. | We accessed population and housing stock statistics for context. We used INE data to understand broader economic trends affecting the Malaga property market. |
| Consejo General del Notariado | The Spanish Notary Council publishes data on property transactions processed through notaries. | We cross-referenced notary transaction data with Registradores figures. We used notary statistics to verify transaction volumes and average prices. |
| Ministerio de Transportes (MITMA) | Spain's Ministry of Transport publishes official housing statistics and construction data. | We referenced MITMA data on new housing permits and completions. We used this to understand supply constraints in the Malaga market. |
| Banco de Espana | Spain's central bank publishes data on mortgage lending and housing market indicators. | We reviewed Bank of Spain housing market reports for macroeconomic context. We used their data to understand lending conditions affecting buyer demand. |
| Fotocasa | Fotocasa is another major Spanish real estate portal that publishes regular price indexes. | We compared Fotocasa price data with Idealista for validation. We used their reports as a secondary source to confirm market trends. |
| Pisos.com | Pisos.com provides additional listing data and market reports for Spanish real estate. | We referenced Pisos.com listings to verify property availability across neighborhoods. We used their data to cross-check typical property sizes and configurations. |
| Catastro (Spanish Land Registry) | The Spanish Cadastre maintains official records of property characteristics and cadastral values. | We used cadastral data to verify typical property sizes by neighborhood. We referenced cadastral values as additional context for official property assessments. |
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