The six areas with the strongest growth
Ask where prices are rising fastest on the Costa del Sol and most people will name Marbella. The figures for the twelve months to June 2026 tell a different story. The table below shows the estimated rise in price per square metre, the average price and the gross rental yield, according to estimates from our local partners.
| Area | Annual growth | Average price per m² | Gross yield |
|---|---|---|---|
| Estepona | +11.6% | 3,510 euros | 5.8% |
| Rincón de la Victoria | +10.8% | 3,455 euros | 5.8% |
| Nueva Andalucía (Marbella) | +10.8% | 6,160 euros | 4.5% |
| Marbella | +10.4% | 5,720 euros | 5.5% |
| Málaga city | +10.1% | 3,790 euros | 6.5% |
| Manilva | +9.6% | 3,000 euros | 7.5% |
All figures are indicative. They are based on advertised supply and our partners' own sources, not on official transaction data from the land registry or property register.
Estepona: new build sets the pace
Estepona combines the factors that push prices up. A great deal of new build is being sold off-plan, the renovated town centre is lively all year round and, at around 3,510 euros per m², the entry price is still well below Marbella's. When new build sets the price level and the resale market follows, the curve can climb quickly. Read more about this way of buying in off-plan new build.
Rincón de la Victoria: the capital effect
The most striking figure comes from the east. Rincón de la Victoria lies about fifteen minutes from Málaga and is rising as fast as Nueva Andalucía. The driver here is not the international buyer at the upper end of the market but the city itself. As Málaga becomes more expensive, families, remote workers and civil servants look for more space and a beach within easy reach of the city. Commuter towns around an expensive capital are developing their own price dynamic.
Manilva: lowest entry point, highest gross yield
At around 3,000 euros per m², Manilva is the cheapest area in the ranking and also has the highest estimated gross yield: 7.5 per cent. Its percentage growth is slightly lower than Estepona's, but the entry price is considerably lower and rent earns more per euro invested. Bear in mind that a gross yield does not yet account for costs and taxes; see yield by area.
And Marbella?
Marbella has not stalled. Growth of 10.4 per cent on a base of 5,720 euros per m² is substantial in absolute terms, and Nueva Andalucía remains the most expensive area in the series at 6,160 euros per m². The difference lies in the cause. Marbella rises as an established market, whereas Estepona, Rincón de la Victoria and Manilva are rising because they are moving up a category. For an investor these are two different choices: paying for an established position, or buying into an area in transition.
What does this mean for you as an investor?
- Past price growth is no assurance of future performance.
- Always compare the net yield after costs and taxes, not just the gross figure.
- In areas in transition, good stock usually sells quickly; see speed of sale by area.
- Consider areas that are still emerging as well: emerging areas.
- Include purchase costs in your yield calculation; see costs.
How CostaVista can assist
CostaVista helps you translate these indicative figures to your own situation: which area suits your budget, your target return and your time horizon, and what that means in net terms. Browse our current properties or contact us.
General information, as of October 2026. This is not legal, tax or financial advice; for your own situation, consult an independent specialist.