House prices remain one of the hottest topics in Malaga province, and new data shows just how stark the contrast is between the inland countryside and the Costa del Sol.
According to property portal Idealista, the cheapest municipality in the province to buy a home is Cuevas de San Marcos, where the average price is just €503 per square metre.
That’s more than ten times lower than in Marbella, the priciest part of the province.
In second place comes Alameda (€669/m²), followed by Benaojan (€720/m²).
Several other inland towns also fall below the €1,000/m² mark, including Archidona (€800/m²), Humilladero (€806/m²), Campillos (€839/m²) and Tolox (€973/m²).
The 10 cheapest towns to buy in Malaga province
- Cuevas de San Marcos – €503/m²
- Alameda – €669/m²
- Benaojan – €720/m²
- Archidona – €800/m²
- Humilladero – €806/m²
- Campillos – €839/m²
- Tolox – €973/m²
- Fuente de Piedra – €1,051/m²
- Casarabonela – €1,074/m²
- Arriate – €1,102/m²
All of these towns are inland, often in mountainous or rural settings, far from the high-demand coastal strip.
The most expensive: Costa del Sol still reigns
At the other end of the market, the Costa del Sol dominates. Marbella leads with an average of €5,258/m², followed closely by Benahavís (€5,205/m²) and Fuengirola (€4,301/m²).
Also in the top 10 are Estepona (€3,955/m²), Benalmádena (€3,903/m²), Ojen (€3,863/m²), Torremolinos (€3,740/m²), Nerja (€3,734/m²), Algarrobo-Costa (€3,614/m²) and Malaga city itself, where the average sits at €3,549/m².
How far does your money go?
The difference between inland and coastal markets could not be starker.
With a budget of €200,000, you buy, a spacious 400m2 village house in Cuevas de San Marcos, while in Marbella, the same budget would barely stretch to a 38m2 studio flat.
Even mid-tier inland towns like Archidona or Campillos offer three to four times more space than their coastal counterparts for the same investment.
Lifestyle: inland peace vs coastal glamour
Living inland comes with clear advantages. Towns like Cuevas de San Marcos or Archidona offer a slower pace of life, traditional fiestas, access to nature reserves and Sierra landscapes, and a tight-knit community feel.
Property buyers here often enjoy gardens, terraces and larger homes at a fraction of coastal prices.
The trade-off is distance, as many of these towns are 30 to 45 minutes or an hour from the coast, with fewer international schools, luxury restaurants or nightlife options. Public transport is also more limited.
By contrast, the Costa del Sol lifestyle sells itself. Marbella, Fuengirola or Benalmadena offer beaches, marinas, international dining, golf courses and vibrant nightlife.
But the price of that cosmopolitan lifestyle is steep, not just in property costs, but in higher living expenses and far greater competition for space.
Read more Spain property news at the Spanish Eye.
