Rising rents push affordability limits across Alicante province
The rent surge shows no sign of slowing. Latest figures from the Fotocasa portal reveal that the average price per square meter reached 9.02 euros in August across the province, a jump of 19.2 percent from the previous year. In several coastal municipalities, the increase neared 35 percent over the same period, and while some cooling was observed in August, the gap between demand and supply remains wide.
For tenants aiming for 80 square meters, the typical monthly cost in the province now sits around 721 euros. This represents a shrinking pool of affordable homes and underscores a growing imbalance between what renters can find and what the market currently offers, according to Fotocasa data.
Regionally, Alicante stands out within Spain for its rent dynamics. The province recorded the second-highest year-over-year increase in rents nationwide, at 19.3 percent, just behind Girona. Even with these rises, average incomes within the country still trail behind the national average, as the overall national rent per square meter sits around 10.83 euros, equating to roughly 866 euros each month for an 80-meter dwelling.
Benidorm has registered the sharpest year-over-year increases. Demand from tourists and workers supporting the visitor economy has pushed rents higher, with a 34.6 percent rise and an average price of 12.64 euros per square meter, translating to more than a thousand euros monthly for an 80-meter apartment.
Torrevieja follows, where rents average 9.53 euros per meter (762 euros for an 80-meter flat), up 32.9 percent. Alicante itself sits at 10.37 euros per meter (829 euros per 80-meter apartment), up 25.4 percent; Campello is at 11.19 per meter (895), up 23.1 percent; Orihuela records 7.55 euros (604) per meter, with a 21.4 percent year-over-year rise; and Elche posts 6.82 euros per meter (545) after a 12.9 percent increase.
Only one in ten Alicante apartments meet the criteria for rental assistance. This shortage heightens the challenge for households seeking affordable housing options in a market under pressure from limited supply and persistent demand growth. Fotocasa notes that year-over-year increases are evident across nearly every province due to the ongoing scarcity of available homes and the resulting tension within the rental market.
According to Fotocasa Operations Director Maria Matos, the scarcity of supply has intensified as the number of homes on the market declines, driving higher rents province-wide and contributing to tighter market conditions. Local authorities and housing advocates continue to monitor the situation as affordability remains a central concern for residents and newcomers alike, with many households weighing income against rising housing costs.