Alicante vs Malaga on €90,000: take-home pay, rent and cost of living in 2026
On a gross salary of €90,000 a year, a single employee takes home €4,801 a month in Alicante (64% of gross) and €4,866 a month in Malaga (65%), 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 €3,560 and €3,908 of take-home pay after rent. Keeping the same standard of living and saving 15% of your pay would cost about €4,504 a month in Malaga — this salary leaves €362 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 €28,356 a year in Alicante and €27,566 in Malaga; social contributions and other levies take €4,038 and €4,038.
Moving from abroad? Under the Beckham law, take-home pay in Malaga would be €5,363 a month — see who qualifies.
| Alicante | Malaga | |
|---|---|---|
| Gross salary per year | €90,000 | €90,000 |
| Income tax per year | €28,356 | €27,566 |
| Social contributions per year | €4,038 | €4,038 |
| Take-home pay per month | €4,801 | €4,866 |
| One-bedroom rent, city centre | €892 | €1,307 |
| Left after rent | €3,908 | €3,560 |
| 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 €90,000 a year, you take home €4,801 a month in Alicante, Spain and €4,866 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 €362 a month (€4,347 a year) in Malaga, Spain on this salary, after rent and living costs.
What taxes will I pay in Spain vs Spain?
On €90,000 gross a year you take home €4,801 a month in Spain and €4,866 a month in Spain. The calculation applies each country's 2026 income tax and social security rules for a single employee.