Buying an average home in Spain is equivalent to paying 14 years' rent for the same property, according to a study published by idealista. One of the indicators that can help you calculate which market is more attractive – i.e. renting or buying a property – is the number of years' rent needed to buy the same property (PER).
However, there is no exact point at which it is better to buy, as other factors such as individual preferences, the financial context and the length of time one intends to live in the house also play a role, but the more years of rent needed to pay for the house, the more appealing it is for the tenant to settle in than to buy. The opposite is also true: the fewer years required, the more attractive it is to buy rather than to rent.
Sales prices and rental prices are compared when setting this rate. Therefore, if a lot of years of renting are needed to buy a property, this means that the sale prices are high compared to the rental prices; whereas, if fewer years are needed, the sale prices are low compared to the rental prices.
When comparing sale and rental prices, the highest PER is in San Sebastián, at 27 years, followed by Pontevedra, Palma and A Coruña at 22 years, while in Pamplona it reaches 21 years and is 20 years in Cadiz, Madrid and Vitoria. If we compare the figures with the rest of the Spanish capitals, renting is more interesting in these nine cities than in the rest. Barcelona scores 18 years, a figure significantly higher than the 12 years in the city of Lleida or the 13 years in Murcia, Huelva or Jaen, where it would be better to buy according to the PER.
Cheap Spanish property near the beach
Summer 2025 is in full swing, and for many, there’s no better time to dream of life by the sea. Whether you’re already soaking up the sun or planning your next escape, the Spanish coast remains a top choice for expats and holiday home buyers alike. With a wide range of property for sale in Spain with sea views, there’s something to suit every taste and budget. And despite concerns over rising living costs and mortgage rates, buying a home on the Spanish coast doesn’t have to cost a fortu
Alicante house prices hit record highs: what buyers should know
In June, property prices in Alicante hit a record €2,435/m², up 2.7% from May and 16.4% year-on-year, according to idealista. The most expensive areas are Playa de San Juan-El Cabo and the city centre, both exceeding €3,000/m², nearly three times the cost of Virgen del Remedio-Juan XXIII, the most affordable area at €1,067/m².
New homes in Benidorm winning over Dutch, Belgian and Polish buyers
Benidorm has become the preferred residential destination for European buyers aged 45 to 59, particularly from the Netherlands, Belgium and Poland. This group seeks modern, sustainable and well-connected homes for long-term stays or permanent residence. Developments such as Breeze, in Balcón de Finestrat, cater directly to this demand, offering sea views, A-class energy efficiency and an environment designed for year-round comfort.
Aedas invests €30m in 137-home development in El Verger, Alicante
Property developer Aedas Homes, currently in the media spotlight following a takeover bid by Neinor Homes, has announced a €30 million investment to build a residential project of 137 homes in the Alicante municipality of El Verger, located between the beaches of Les Deveses and La Almadraba.
Ibiza, from mega-luxury to shanty towns: the housing crisis gripping the island
Ibiza has two faces. On one side, the Ibiza of mega-luxury: vast, exclusive nightclubs and dream-like villas. On the other, an Ibiza of shanty towns and housing exclusion. It's no longer news that soaring property prices are forcing people to leave the island because they can no longer find homes at affordable rents.
