Prices, rents, and the pressure they place on households show little sign of easing. Government measures to cap increases appear to slow only temporarily, while the housing law is awaited to determine its real impact. Even with policy activity, the new rents keep climbing in Alicante, a province known for higher inflation within this region.
In April alone, the average rent in Alicante rose by about 5 percent, marking an annual increase of roughly 24.6 percent, according to Fotocasa data published on a recent Tuesday. This growth significantly outpaces the national average of 7.3 percent and the regional average of 16.5 percent for the same period, underscoring the unique housing market dynamics in this area.
That acceleration places Alicante among the top three fastest-rising rental markets in the country. The same Fotocasa sources highlight even sharper year-over-year increases in the Balearic Islands and Tenerife, where rents jumped 32.5 percent and 26.4 percent, respectively, reinforcing the broader pattern of regional volatility in housing costs.
With the upward trajectory, the average price per square meter stands at €10.47 across the province, translating to about €837 for an 80-square-meter apartment. This level of affordability is increasingly out of reach for many households, particularly the younger and more modest incomes, highlighting the ongoing challenges in securing housing in major towns within the region.
Rent already eats 42% of Alicante people’s salary
Looking at municipalities, the largest year-on-year increase was recorded in Benidorm, where rents rose to about €15.77 per square meter, a 46.2 percent jump by Fotocasa measurements. In Alicante city itself, rents rose by around 23.2 percent, translating to roughly €1.7 more per square meter, a noticeable rise for local residents adjusting budgets to the higher costs.
Inside Elche, rents are about 19.6 percent higher than last April, yet remain more affordable than in several previous years, averaging around €7.68 per square meter. These patterns illustrate a broader geographic tilt: coastal cities often see stronger price pressure than inland towns, yet all areas within the province are feeling the impact of rising demand and limited supply.
How much does it cost to rent a home in Alicante? The landscape mirrors sales price trends, with inland regions showing softer demand and, consequently, different pricing dynamics. Inflationary pressure persists across the province, while some towns see prices stabilize or ease slightly in response to local conditions and seasonal cycles.
Nationally, rental costs have risen in most autonomous regions, with Castilla-La Mancha standing out as an exception where rents fell by about 5.5 percent. In several regions, year-over-year increases exceeded 10 percent, reflecting a broad-based shift in housing affordability across Spain and the persistent challenge of matching income growth with rent costs.