When buying a property in Spain, opting for a more rural area could save you a significant sum of money, a study has found.
According to the latest analysis by idealista/data, buying a resale property in an urban area is now 99% more expensive than purchasing in a rural setting, based on data from the end of 2025.
The figures show that the average price of a second-hand home in urban areas – defined as more densely populated locations – reached €2,906 per square metre nationwide at the end of 2025.
By contrast, the average price in rural areas stood at €1,459 per square metre, reflecting both lower population density and a different housing stock.
Where the gap is widest
The largest price gap between urban and rural housing is found in Madrid, where city-based homes are 131% more expensive than those in rural areas. This is followed by:
- Alava: 126%
- Salamanca: 115%
- Caceres: 114%
- Valladolid: 102%
In these provinces, the disparity is driven mainly by very low rural prices, often below €1,000 per square metre.
Among Spain’s major residential markets, the contrast remains stark:
- Barcelona: 73%
- Sevilla: 72%
- Malaga: 48%
- Valencia: 33%
Spain’s most expensive urban markets
Urban prices are highest in:
- Balearic Islands: €5,246/m2
- Madrid: €4,821/m2
- Guipuzcoa: €4,452/m2
- Malaga: €4,241/m2
- Santa Cruz de Tenerife: €3,626/m2
In many of these provinces, rural prices are also among the highest in Spain.
Rural housing exceeds €2,700/m2 in Guipuzcoa and €2,400/m2 in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, while Malaga’s rural average stands at €2,872/m2.
Where housing is still cheapest
Spain’s most affordable urban markets are found in:
- Ciudad Real: €828/m2
- Jaen: €900/m2
Meanwhile, rural housing falls below €1,000/m2 in 15 provinces, with the lowest averages in:
- Caceres: €590/m2
- Jaen: €615/m2
- Ciudad Real: €640/m2
- Cuenca: €645/m2
According to idealista/data, factors such as property condition, size, population levels, infrastructure and local economic development play a decisive role in shaping rural prices.
Demand for urban still dominant – but not everywhere
Despite the cost difference, demand continues to favour cities. At the end of 2025, almost 60% of housing demand was directed towards urban areas, compared with 40% towards rural locations.
Urban demand is strongest in provinces such as Alava (74%), Zamora (69%), Burgos and Valladolid (66%), and Huelva and Navarra (65%). Among major markets, Sevilla (64%), Barcelona (59%) and Madrid (55%) lead the way.
However, nine provinces now show greater demand for rural homes than urban ones, including some of Spain’s most expensive areas. These include:
- Malaga (57%)
- Santa Cruz de Tenerife (55%)
- Girona (59%)
- Granada (56%)
- Alicante and Murcia (both 54%)
- Castellon (53%)
- Almeria and Cadiz (both 51%)
The data suggests that while cities remain the default choice for most buyers, rural living is increasingly attractive, even in provinces where it no longer offers a clear price advantage.
