5 5 schools$1,700/mo avg rentLarge expat community
Between Torremolinos and Fuengirola, hosts Benalmadena International College. Good transport links via Cercanias train to Malaga city.
4/5
Safety
4/5
Family Friendly
4/5
Quality of Life
4/5
Expat Friendly
4/5
Healthcare
Large
Expat Community
7-32°C
Temp Range
Moderate
English Level
☀️ Climate & Weather
Monthly temperatures, rainfall, and sea conditions
32°C
Hottest (Aug)
9°C
Coolest (Dec)
26
Sunny days/mo avg
388mm
Annual rainfall
Avg highAvg lowSea tempRainfall
15°
🌊 Jan
15°
🌊 Feb
15°
🌊 Mar
16°
🌊 Apr
18°
🌊 May
21°
🌊 Jun
24°
🌊 Jul
25°
🌊 Aug
23°
🌊 Sep
21°
🌊 Oct
18°
🌊 Nov
16°
🌊 Dec
💰 Cost of Living
Monthly family budget estimates (USD)
At a Glance
$1,700
Avg. rent /mo
$9.00
Budget meal
$35
Mid-range dinner (2 ppl)
Dining & Drinks
Cappuccino$1.80
Domestic beer$2.20
Imported beer$3.20
Water (1.5L)$0.50
Groceries
Loaf of bread$1.20
Milk (1L)$0.85
Dozen eggs$1.90
Chicken (1 kg)$4.80
Transport
Taxi flag-drop$3.20
Taxi per km$1.10
Monthly transit pass$38
Gasoline (per liter)$1.65
Monthly Bills
Internet$35 /mo
Utilities (avg.)$110 /mo
Gym membership$30 /mo
Domestic help$620 /mo
Preschool / nursery$450 /mo
Comfortable
Family of 3-4 in a 2-bedroom apartment near the Paseo, children at bilingual Spanish school, one car, occasional restaurants.
$2,800/mo
Rent$1,100
Groceries$500
Lifestyle & leisure$160
Transport$220
Utilities$120
Dining out$280
Healthcare$120
School fees (per child)$200
Domestic help$100
Established
Family in a 3-bedroom apartment or townhouse, children at international school, one car, regular dining out and leisure activities.
$5,800/mo
Rent$2,000
Groceries$700
Lifestyle & leisure$400
Transport$350
Utilities$160
Dining out$500
Healthcare$200
School fees (per child)$850
Domestic help$340
Premium
Family in a large seafront apartment or villa, two cars, children at a top international school, club memberships, part-time housekeeper.
$9,500/mo
Rent$3,500
Groceries$1,000
Lifestyle & leisure$800
Transport$650
Utilities$220
Dining out$1,200
Healthcare$380
School fees (per child)$1,200
Domestic help$550
Benalmadena Costa is one of the more affordable beach towns on the Costa del Sol, offering significantly lower costs than Marbella while providing all the same coastal lifestyle benefits. All costs in EUR.
🌬️ Air Quality
Average monthly AQI (US EPA scale)
30Jan
28Feb
30Mar
32Apr
35May
38Jun
42Jul
43Aug
38Sep
33Oct
30Nov
28Dec
Good (0–50)Moderate (51–100)USG (101–150)Unhealthy (151+)
Yearly average AQI is 34. Best air quality Jan–Dec (best: Dec at 28).
👥 Demographics
38%
Expat Population
middle
Income Level
~67,000
Population
Nationalities
Spanish62%
British14%
Swedish5%
German4%
Dutch4%
Belgian3%
Moroccan3%
Other
🏘️ Community & Culture
Large English-speaking expat populationAnnual international feria and beach concertsActive expat social clubs and sports leaguesStrong bilingual school network nearby
A Welcoming Blend of Cultures
🌳 Parks & Recreation
9km Blue Flag beach promenadeCable car to 771m with coast viewsSix golf courses within 20 minutesPuerto Marina sailing and watersports
Sun, Sea, and Outdoor Living
🚗 Getting Around
15 min to Malaga Airport via A-7Cercanias train to Malaga City in 25 minFlat walkable promenade along the seafrontDirect motorway access to Marbella and Gibraltar
Car-Friendly Coast with Good Connections
🛒 Daily Life
Mercadona, Carrefour and Lidl all nearbyEnglish-speaking GPs and dentists availableForeigners dept at town hall for admin supportLively restaurant strip on the Paseo Maritimo
Effortless Coastal Living
📝 Living with the Climate
320+ sunny days per yearSea breezes keep summer peak heat comfortableSwimmable sea June through OctoberMild winters — rarely below 7 degrees C
