City · Illes Balears · All places
Island life in a real city: a Gothic cathedral on the sea, a year-round centre and mountains behind.
Palma is the capital of the Balearic Islands and by far the largest city on Mallorca. It sits on a wide bay on the south-west of the island, with a huge Gothic cathedral right on the waterfront, a historic centre of courtyards and narrow lanes, and a long harbour full of boats. Behind it, a plain runs to the Serra de Tramuntana mountains.
Unlike most Mediterranean resorts, Palma is a real city that stays open all year. It has a university, a hospital, government offices, an airport, and an international community that includes yacht crews, entrepreneurs, remote workers and retirees. It is attractive and comfortable, with a busy harbour and a seafront that locals use every day.
The city has 434,786 residents (2025). Residents born abroad make up 30.3% (2025).
Data as of · the latest figures cover Jun 2026
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What the data says
Palma stands out for prosperity, connectivity and climate; it is weaker on safety and housing. A typical 70 m² rental costs about €689 a month (2024).
Who it suits, 0 to 100
Practical conclusions we draw from Palma’s figures. They are inferences, not official statistics: each says what it rests on.
A large international and graduate population means English is common at work, in cafés and among neighbours. Contracts, the town hall and most doctors work in Spanish or Catalan.
Catalan is an official language alongside Spanish. Expect it on signs, at the town hall and in state schools.
Summer nights stay warm, so sleep depends on a cooled bedroom. Check for air-conditioning before you sign.
Thefts without violence happen 3.1 times as often as in the typical Spanish city. Keep phones and bags close in busy areas and on public transport.
A big airport close to town means direct flights to most European capitals and many long-haul routes.
People born abroad are in work less often than people born in Spain across Illes Balears. Remote income or a job offer makes the move far easier.
Almost every home can get gigabit fibre, so working from home is not a gamble on the flat you pick.
Residents are younger than in most of Spain: more students, young families and evening life.
Ensaimada for breakfast, sobrassada, tumbet, fresh fish and almond cake.
Elegant and unhurried, with mornings in the old town squares and long lunches in summer.
Santa Catalina for restaurants, Portixol for beach cafés, El Terreno for late bars.
The old town is boutiques and courtyards, Son Armadans is residential, Santa Catalina is food and design.
Mallorcan Catalan and Spanish, with English and German often heard.
Sant Sebastià bonfires in January and the night of Sant Joan in June.
Sailing, road cycling, and day walks in the Tramuntana or along the coves.
Palma is elegant and unhurried. Mornings are for coffee in the old town squares and the markets, and the seafront promenade is used by runners, cyclists and dog walkers. The neighbourhood of Santa Catalina, once a fishing quarter, is now a food and design district with a covered market and restaurants of every kind; Portixol has beach cafés and sailing clubs; the old town (Casco Antiguo) is full of boutiques, patios and galleries.
The people you meet are a mix: locals, many of whom speak Mallorcan Catalan at home and Spanish in public; Germans and British who have lived here for decades; and a newer wave of digital workers, designers and yachties. English and German are often heard. Social life revolves around lunches, boats, markets and weekends in the mountains and the coves.
Food is Mediterranean and island-specific: ensaimada pastry, sobrassada sausage, tumbet, fresh fish and almonds. Festivals include the bonfires of Sant Sebastià in January and the night of Sant Joan in June.
Palma was a Roman and then a Moorish town, and the capital of an independent Mediterranean kingdom in the Middle Ages. Merchants built the Llotja, a Gothic trading hall, and noble families built the courtyard houses of the old town. For centuries the island lived on farming, fishing and trade.
From the 1950s onwards, tourism changed everything. The airport and hotels brought visitors by the million, and Palma became the service centre of a resort island. The city has since drawn wealthy foreigners, many of them German and British, who bought houses in and around the old town, and a sailing and yacht-service industry. Tourism, hospitality, yacht services and property are a large part of the local economy, and jobs come out average. Unemployment is 11.3% (2025).
Housing comes out weak against similar places. A typical 70 m² flat rents for about €689 a month (2024), and buying costs €3,814 per square metre (Q2 2026). Holiday lets compete with residents for flats, and the city has been tightening the rules on new ones.
Recorded crime is 80.6 per 1,000 people (2024). Thefts without violence are 3,660 per 100k people (2025), and vehicle thefts are 215 per 100k people (2025). Safety comes out weak. The beach strip toward the airport, with its own busy nightlife, lies inside the municipal boundary. The airport is 8 km from the centre.
Figures for Palma itself, not its region. Each shows the period it covers.
Each card uses Palma data only and compares it with similar cities. Open “Why this score?” to see the measures behind it.
Prosperity is strong: in the top quarter of Spanish cities above 50,000.
Household income per person: 17,289 € a year per person — better than 78% of Spanish cities above 50,000
Strong: 78 out of 100, where 50 is typical for the comparison group. These are the measures behind it.
| Measure | Value | Compared with peers |
|---|---|---|
| Household income per personPalma · 2024 | 17,289 € a year per person | better than 78% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
Connectivity is strong: in the top 10% of major European cities.
Distance to the main airport: 7.90 km — better than 78% of major European cities
Strong: 77 out of 100, where 50 is typical for the comparison group. These are the measures behind it.
| Measure | Value | Compared with peers |
|---|---|---|
| Distance to the main airportPalma · 2026-10-21 | 7.90 km | better than 78% of major European cities |
| Airport passengersPalma · 2025 | 33.8 million passengers a year | better than 76% of major European cities |
Climate is above average: in the top quarter of major European cities.
Pleasant days (18–28 °C, dry): 120 days a year — better than 92% of major European cities
Above average: 68 out of 100, where 50 is typical for the comparison group. These are the measures behind it.
| Measure | Value | Compared with peers |
|---|---|---|
| Pleasant days (18–28 °C, dry)Palma · 2015-01-01..2024-12-31 | 120 days a year | better than 92% of major European cities |
| Days above 35 °CPalma · 2015-01-01..2024-12-31 | 0.00 days a year | better than 88% of major European cities |
| Nights above 20 °CPalma · 2015-01-01..2024-12-31 | 137 nights a year | better than 0% of major European cities |
Transport is around the middle: around the middle of Spanish cities above 50,000.
Average commute (one way): 34.0 minutes — better than 84% of Spanish cities above 50,000
Average: 53 out of 100, where 50 is typical for the comparison group. These are the measures behind it.
| Measure | Value | Compared with peers |
|---|---|---|
| Average commute (one way)Palma · 2021 | 34.0 minutes | better than 84% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| Commute by carPalma · 2021 | 64.4% | better than 30% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| Commute by public transportPalma · 2021 | 10.1% | better than 37% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
Jobs is around the middle: behind most Spanish cities above 50,000.
Unemployment: 11.3% — worse than 56% of Spanish cities above 50,000
Average: 42 out of 100, where 50 is typical for the comparison group. These are the measures behind it.
| Measure | Value | Compared with peers |
|---|---|---|
| UnemploymentPalma · 2025 | 11.3% | better than 44% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| Unemployment, change in a yearPalma · 2025 | -0.86 points | better than 40% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
Healthcare is around the middle: behind most Spanish cities above 50,000.
Life expectancy: 83.2 years — worse than 60% of Spanish cities above 50,000
Average: 40 out of 100, where 50 is typical for the comparison group. These are the measures behind it.
| Measure | Value | Compared with peers |
|---|---|---|
| Life expectancyPalma · 2023 | 83.2 years | better than 40% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
Digital is below average: behind most Spanish cities above 50,000.
Homes with fibre to the door: 97.8% — worse than 66% of Spanish cities above 50,000
Below average: 35 out of 100, where 50 is typical for the comparison group. These are the measures behind it.
| Measure | Value | Compared with peers |
|---|---|---|
| Homes that can get gigabit internetPalma · 2025 | 97.7% | better than 35% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| Homes with fibre to the doorPalma · 2025 | 97.8% | better than 34% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| 5G coveragePalma · 2025 | 100.0% | better than 36% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
Housing is weak: in the bottom 10% of Spanish cities above 50,000.
Buying price per m²: 3,814 €/m² — worse than 89% of Spanish cities above 50,000
Weak: 24 out of 100, where 50 is typical for the comparison group. These are the measures behind it.
| Measure | Value | Compared with peers |
|---|---|---|
| Rent per m²Palma · 2024 | 9.84 €/m² a month | better than 21% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| Rents, change in a yearPalma · 2024 | 4.20% | better than 19% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| Buying price per m²Palma · 2026-Q2 | 3,814 €/m² | better than 11% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| Rent growth a year, over 3 yearsPalma · 2024 | 5.69% | better than 28% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| House prices, change in a yearPalma · 2026-Q2 | 14.3% | better than 50% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
Safety is weak: in the bottom quarter of Spanish cities above 50,000.
Vehicle thefts: 215 per 100k people — worse than 99% of Spanish cities above 50,000
Weak: 23 out of 100, where 50 is typical for the comparison group. These are the measures behind it.
| Measure | Value | Compared with peers |
|---|---|---|
| HomicidesPalma · 2025 | 0.46 per 100k people | better than 53% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| Recorded crimePalma · 2024 | 80.6 per 1,000 people | better than 4% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| RobberiesPalma · 2025 | 229 per 100k people | better than 12% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| BurglariesPalma · 2025 | 66.7 per 100k people | better than 86% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| Sexual offencesPalma · 2024 | 0.79 per 1,000 people | better than 7% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| TheftsPalma · 2025 | 3,660 per 100k people | better than 4% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| Vehicle theftsPalma · 2025 | 215 per 100k people | better than 1% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
What we cannot score for Palma yet
Highs around 29° in August, lows around 12° in February. 120 pleasant days a year (dry, 18–28 °C). 137 warm nights above 20 °C: check for air-conditioning.
| Month | High | Low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 14.4°C | 12.1°C | 54 mm |
| February | 14.5°C | 11.9°C | 41 mm |
| March | 15.5°C | 12.8°C | 45 mm |
| April | 17.5°C | 14.3°C | 53 mm |
| May | 20.9°C | 17.5°C | 33 mm |
| June | 25.4°C | 21.7°C | 19 mm |
| July | 28.9°C | 25.0°C | 7 mm |
| August | 29.2°C | 25.7°C | 28 mm |
| September | 26.4°C | 23.5°C | 69 mm |
| October | 23.1°C | 20.5°C | 72 mm |
| November | 18.8°C | 16.4°C | 74 mm |
| December | 16.2°C | 14.1°C | 47 mm |
Palma has a Mediterranean climate. Summers are hot and humid, with warm sea and busy beaches, and the nights stay warm well into autumn. Very hot days number 0 a year (2015–2024). Warm nights, the kind that make sleeping hard, number 137 a year (2015–2024).
Winters are mild but can be damp and windy, and the city is far quieter. Frost days are 0 a year (2015–2024), and rainfall is 542 mm a year (2015–2024). Pleasant days, mild and dry, number 120 a year (2015–2024). It is a year-round city: shops, restaurants and services stay open in winter, which is not true of every resort on the island.
Lines start with Spain; switch the others on to compare.
53/100 · average · 63rd of 106 Spanish cities above 50,000
11.3% in 2025
14.3% in Q2 2026
€9.8 per m² a month in 2024
€3,815 per m² in Q2 2026
83.2 years in 2023
Facts about the people who live in Palma. Shown as context only: none of this changes a score.
Guides for the practical side of moving to Spain: residency, housing, healthcare, tax and schools. Where the rules or prices depend on where you live, the guide says so.
Is Spain right for you, when to go, and how to try it before you commit.
Visas, residence permits, the route that fits you, and keeping your status.
Budgeting the first year, banking, tax residency, income and social security.
Employment, remote work, self-employment, running a business and your rights at work.
Choosing where to live, renting safely, buying, and settling into a home.
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Partners, children, schools, childcare and studying in Spain.
Paperwork, identity numbers, belongings, pets, utilities and the first weeks.
Learning Spanish, understanding local life and building a social circle.
Routines, food, local customs, holidays, transport and getting around.
Scams, disputes, emergencies, your rights and where to get help.
Long-term settlement and leaving
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You will know where Spanish rentals are found, what they cost, how to time and run a search, and how to judge a flat before you commit.
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Finding your public healthcare route
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Fit from the data, 0 to 100, against other Spanish cities. Open a group to see the figures behind it.
A cathedral on the sea, galleries, concerts and a food scene around Santa Catalina.
Not measured yet: Lifestyle, Walk most.
Entrepreneurs work in tourism, yacht services and property, often with international clients.
Not measured yet: Jobs in high-tech sectors, Regulatory quality.
Sailing, cycling, diving and mountain walks close by. Summer crowds and heat are the main limits.
Not measured yet: Environment, Fine-particle pollution (PM2.5), Lifestyle, Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), Strong-wind days.
Work is found in tourism, hospitality, yacht services, property and services, and the social scene mixes locals with foreigners.
Better nearby for young professionals: Ibiza (61)
Not measured yet: Jobs in high-tech sectors, Lifestyle, Median gross salary, Youth unemployment (15–24).
Remote workers tend to base themselves in Santa Catalina, the old town and Portixol, working from cafés and coworking spaces. Homes with fibre to the door are 98% (2025).
Better nearby for remote workers: Ibiza (58)
Not measured yet: Cost of Living, Fixed broadband penetration, Lifestyle.
Buyers look at old-town townhouses, Portixol and Génova, with marinas close by.
Better nearby for high earners and investors: Calvià (58)
Not measured yet: Average dwelling size, Education, Environment, Income tax and social security, average earner, Total tax on labour, average earner.
Retirees often settle along the Passeig Marítim and in Portixol and Son Armadans, among a long-established German and British community. On healthcare indicators the city comes out average.
Better nearby for retirees: Calvià (63)
Not measured yet: Cost of Living, Doctors, Environment, Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂).
The Universitat de les Illes Balears campus sits on the edge of the city, so student life spreads between campus and the centre.
Not measured yet: Cost of Living, Cycle most, Education, Lifestyle, Price level vs EU average, Walk most, Youth unemployment (15–24).
Families tend to look in Son Armadans, Portixol and the neighbourhoods around the bay, with beach days and sailing as the family routine. State-funded schools in the Balearic Islands teach at least half of lessons in Catalan, and Spanish is taught too.
Better nearby for families with children: Calvià (46)
Not measured yet: 15-year-olds' maths (PISA), Average dwelling size, Childcare availability, Education, Environment, Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), Pre-primary participation.
Budget movers look at districts away from the seafront, such as Pere Garau and La Soledat, and at towns inland. Rent for a typical 70 m² flat is about €689 a month (2024).
Better nearby for budget-conscious movers: Ibiza (38)
Not measured yet: Cost of Living, Households spending >40% of income on housing, Price level vs EU average.
Taxes, residency and the wider economy are set nationally, so they are the same in Palma as anywhere in Spain.
Compared with Palma; each card says where it is better or worse for someone living there.
70 m²: €890 a month
Compare with Palma70 m²: €887 a month
Compare with PalmaGuide written 2026-10-22. Figures are refreshed as new official data is published; the period beside each number says what it covers. “Our read” cards are our inferences from those figures. How we score
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