Cost of Living Comparison Between Malaga and CadizCost of Living Comparison Between Malaga and Cadiz
Monthly Cost of Living
😐A single person spends $2,039 per month in Malaga vs $1,846 in Cadiz, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $3,024 per month in Malaga vs $2,378 in Cadiz, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $4,010 per month in Malaga vs $2,910 in Cadiz, rent included.
😐Malaga costs about 10% more than Cadiz, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both Malaga and Cadiz sit above the global median – Malaga by 49%, Cadiz by 35%.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Malaga
Cadiz
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.32€15.01
$16.49€14.29
5.03%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$68.5€59.4
$51.2€44.39
33.81%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.42€9.90
$11.74€10.18
-2.73%
Cappuccino
$2.76€2.39
$2.63€2.28
4.94%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.81€2.44
$2.41€2.09
16.60%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.23€1.94
$1.62€1.41
37.65%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.42€2.96
$3.15€2.73
8.57%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.54€3.93
$3.52€3.05
28.98%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Malaga
Cadiz
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.31€1.14
$1.05€0.91
24.76%
White Bread(500g)
$1.46€1.27
$1.44€1.25
1.39%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.88€1.63
$1.49€1.29
26.17%
Eggs
$3.44€2.98
$3.57€3.10
-3.64%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$15.21€13.18
$15.58€13.50
-2.37%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.42€7.30
$8.49€7.36
-0.82%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.37€13.32
$15.04€13.03
2.19%
Apples(1kg)
$2.66€2.30
$2.14€1.85
24.30%
Banana(1kg)
$1.94€1.68
$1.31€1.14
48.09%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.75€1.52
$1.73€1.50
1.16%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.58€2.23
$1.66€1.44
55.42%
Potato(1kg)
$1.54€1.34
$0.97€0.84
58.76%
Onion(1kg)
$2.22€1.93
$1.87€1.62
18.72%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.30€1.12
$1.23€1.07
5.69%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.64€0.55
$0.62€0.54
3.23%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.70€5.80
$5.79€5.02
15.72%
Wine(Bottle)
$6.36€5.52
$6.28€5.45
1.27%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.22€1.06
$1.01€0.88
20.79%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.35€2.04
$2.40€2.08
-2.08%
🚌 Getting Around
Malaga
Cadiz
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.61€1.39
$1.29€1.12
24.81%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$27.33€23.68
$23.54€20.40
16.10%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.91€1.66
$1.96€1.70
-2.55%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.27€1.10
$1.26€1.09
0.79%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$23.50€20.36
$23.29€20.18
0.90%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.78€1.54
$1.78€1.54
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$37.0K€32.1K
$36.8K€31.9K
0.53%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$30.1K€26.1K
$29.8K€25.8K
1.18%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Malaga
Cadiz
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$158€137
$139€121
13.83%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$10.53€9.13
$9.39€8.14
12.14%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$26.90€23.31
$26.77€23.20
0.49%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Malaga
Cadiz
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$46.31€40.13
$46.49€40.29
-0.39%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.52€16.05
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$9.80€8.49
$9.64€8.36
1.66%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Malaga
Cadiz
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$852€738
$318€276
167.79%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$10.7K€9,269
$10.4K€8,998
3.02%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Malaga
Cadiz
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$90.8€78.7
$93.1€80.7
-2.50%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$40.12€34.77
$17.54€15.20
128.73%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$84.7€73.4
$86.4€74.9
-2.00%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108€93.9
$80.3€69.6
34.91%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Malaga
Cadiz
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,521€1,319
$863€748
76.26%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,062€921
$908€787
16.96%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,570€2,228
$1,099€953
133.85%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,650€1,430
$906€785
82.04%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$5,027€4,356
$3,456€2,995
45.44%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$3,032€2,627
$3,799€3,292
-20.19%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Malaga
Cadiz
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,929€1,672
$2,223€1,927
-13.22%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.31
3.31
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Malaga: September 13, 2026
Last update for Cadiz: September 12, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $1,521 in Malaga versus $863 in Cadiz. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
💰Salaries run about 15% higher in Cadiz, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $69.0 in Malaga versus $51.0 in Cadiz. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $273 vs $255 – making Cadiz the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Malaga vs Cadiz: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Malaga or Cadiz?
Malaga costs about 10% more than Cadiz, with the gap driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Malaga and in Cadiz?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,059 per month in Malaga and $2,769 in Cadiz. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Malaga or Cadiz?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Cadiz, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Malaga or in Cadiz?
Groceries cost about 7% more in Malaga, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
How do dining costs compare in Malaga and in Cadiz?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $69.0 in Malaga and $51.0 in Cadiz. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Can you live on $2,000/month in Malaga or in Cadiz?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Cadiz, where all-in costs run around $1,846, than in Malaga at $2,039. In Cadiz it covers expenses comfortably, while in Malaga it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Malaga or Cadiz?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Cadiz costs $1,846 versus $2,039 in Malaga. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Malaga compared to Cadiz?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Malaga or to Cadiz?
If budget matters most, go with Cadiz. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Malaga makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.