Alicante vs Malaga on €70,000: take-home pay, rent and cost of living in 2026
On a gross salary of €70,000 a year, a single employee takes home €3,934 a month in Alicante (67% of gross) and €3,952 a month in Malaga (68%), 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 €2,645 and €3,042 of take-home pay after rent. Keeping the same standard of living and saving 15% of your pay would cost about €3,691 a month in Malaga — this salary leaves €260 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 €18,792 a year in Alicante and €18,585 in Malaga; social contributions and other levies take €3,996 and €3,996.
Moving from abroad? Under the Beckham law, take-home pay in Malaga would be €4,100 a month — see who qualifies.
| Alicante | Malaga | |
|---|---|---|
| Gross salary per year | €70,000 | €70,000 |
| Income tax per year | €18,792 | €18,585 |
| Social contributions per year | €3,996 | €3,996 |
| Take-home pay per month | €3,934 | €3,952 |
| One-bedroom rent, city centre | €892 | €1,307 |
| Left after rent | €3,042 | €2,645 |
| 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 €70,000 a year, you take home €3,934 a month in Alicante, Spain and €3,952 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 €260 a month (€3,122 a year) in Malaga, Spain on this salary, after rent and living costs.
What taxes will I pay in Spain vs Spain?
On €70,000 gross a year you take home €3,934 a month in Spain and €3,952 a month in Spain. The calculation applies each country's 2026 income tax and social security rules for a single employee.