Alicante vs Malaga on €50,000: take-home pay, rent and cost of living in 2026
On a gross salary of €50,000 a year, a single employee takes home €2,980 a month in Alicante (72% of gross) and €2,967 a month in Malaga (71%), after income tax and social security contributions.
Malaga is 10% more expensive than Alicante overall (cost-of-living index 40.4 vs 36.6, New York = 100). A one-bedroom flat in the city centre rents for about €1,307 a month in Malaga and €892 in Alicante, which leaves €1,661 and €2,088 of take-home pay after rent. Keeping the same standard of living and saving 15% of your pay would cost about €2,796 a month in Malaga — this salary leaves €171 a month on top.
By category, groceries cost 7% less in Malaga than in Alicante, eating out 0% more and rent 32% more.
Of the gross salary, income tax takes €10,985 a year in Alicante and €11,141 in Malaga; social contributions and other levies take €3,250 and €3,250.
| Alicante | Malaga | |
|---|---|---|
| Gross salary per year | €50,000 | €50,000 |
| Income tax per year | €10,985 | €11,141 |
| Social contributions per year | €3,250 | €3,250 |
| Take-home pay per month | €2,980 | €2,967 |
| One-bedroom rent, city centre | €892 | €1,307 |
| Left after rent | €2,088 | €1,661 |
| Cost-of-living index (New York = 100) | 36.6 | 40.4 |
How each figure is taxed: Spain tax calculator and Spain tax calculator. Single employee without children; rent and price data from Numbeo, refreshed monthly.
Questions about Alicante vs Malaga
Is Malaga, Spain more expensive than Alicante, Spain?
Malaga, Spain is 10% more expensive than Alicante, Spain overall. On a gross salary of €50,000 a year, you take home €2,980 a month in Alicante, Spain and €2,967 a month in Malaga, Spain after income tax and social contributions.
How much can I save living in Malaga, Spain vs Alicante, Spain?
Keeping the same standard of living as in Alicante, Spain, you could save about €171 a month (€2,052 a year) in Malaga, Spain on this salary, after rent and living costs.
What taxes will I pay in Spain vs Spain?
On €50,000 gross a year you take home €2,980 a month in Spain and €2,967 a month in Spain. The calculation applies each country's 2026 income tax and social security rules for a single employee.