City · Comunitat Valenciana · All places
A salt-lake and sea resort city on the south Costa Blanca, majority foreign-born, sunny and cheap, with a theft problem and low incomes.
Torrevieja is a coastal city in the far south of the Costa Blanca, in the Vega Baja, between a pair of salt lakes and the Mediterranean. It grew from a salt-harvesting village into a resort and retirement town, and it now has more foreign-born residents than any other Spanish city of its size.
The seafront promenades, marina and beaches are the centre of life, with a grid of apartment blocks behind and endless urbanisations spreading inland. The weather is dry and sunny, the rents are low and English is the second language of the cafés. The costs are a high crime rate, low incomes and a population that swells in summer.
The city has 98,533 residents (2025), and 55.7% were born abroad (2025). It suits people who want winter sun and a ready-made international community, and it suits those who want a quiet, local or prosperous place much less.
Data as of · the latest figures cover Jun 2026
Fit for you
Neutral priorities. Pick who you are:
Working out your fit…
What the data says
Torrevieja stands out for digital and climate; it is weaker on healthcare and prosperity. A typical 70 m² rental costs about €462 a month (2024).
Who it suits, 0 to 100
Practical conclusions we draw from Torrevieja’s figures. They are inferences, not official statistics: each says what it rests on.
Few residents come from English-speaking or northern European countries, so daily life runs in Spanish. Contracts, the town hall and most doctors work in Spanish or Valencian.
Valencian 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.
Most people drive to work. Without a car, check bus routes from any flat before you commit.
Thefts without violence happen 2.5 times as often as in the typical Spanish city. Keep phones and bags close in busy areas and on public transport.
People born abroad are in work less often than people born in Spain across Comunitat Valenciana. 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.
Rice dishes, fresh fish and grilled meat, with English breakfasts and carveries as easy to find as tapas.
Relaxed and seasonal, with long lunches on the seafront and a busier summer.
Bars and terraces on the promenade and around the marina, with pubs and live music aimed at residents.
The seafront and centre around Playa del Cura, the salt-lake side to the north and sprawling urbanisations to the south and inland.
Spanish is the local language, English is heard everywhere and Russian, Ukrainian and Scandinavian languages are common.
The international habanera contest in July, the sea procession for the Virgen del Carmen and Holy Week.
Retired British and northern Europeans, Russian-speaking and Moroccan communities and Spanish families from the Vega Baja.
Torrevieja has the feel of a town built for the sun. The seafront promenade runs for kilometres past the Playa del Cura and the old port, with the Delfín submarine museum moored at the dock. Behind it, the grid of blocks is lined with cafés, bakeries, bars and offices of estate agents and clinics catering to foreigners.
The salt lakes are the city's strangest asset. The Laguna Rosa is pink in the right light, and the natural park around the two lakes has walking paths, flamingos and mud baths. Salt is still harvested, and the old salt works are part of the local identity. The habanera singing contest in July keeps alive a tradition of sea songs that started with sailors.
Daily life is in English and Spanish at once. Residents can live for years without much Spanish, and many do, though those who learn it have an easier time with doctors, councils and neighbours. There is a Spanish-speaking local town beneath the expat layer, with its own fiestas and fish restaurants.
Torrevieja existed because of salt. The lagoons just inland produced salt that was shipped from the port, and the town was a modest industrial settlement until the 1960s. Then the tourist boom, cheap land and a dry, sunny climate turned it into a holiday destination, and later a place where northern Europeans bought apartments to retire.
The building boom of the early 2000s multiplied the population, and the 2008 crash left unfinished estates and a lasting dependence on construction and tourism. The economy still rests on those two sectors plus retail and services. Unemployment is 14.0% (2025), and household income per person is €10,379 a year (2024), the lowest of any Spanish city of its size. Prosperity comes out weak.
Low incomes keep housing moderate. A typical 70 m² flat rents for about €462 a month (2024), and buying costs €2,254 per square metre (Q2 2026). House prices rose 16.7% over the last year (Q2 2026). Housing comes out below average, because rents are rising faster than local wages.
Safety is the big caveat. Recorded crime is 94.8 per 1,000 people (2024), among the highest of any Spanish city of its size, and the city comes out weak on safety. The cause is mostly property crime: burglary of holiday homes and flats, theft from visitors and cars. Many homes stand empty for part of the year, and the registered population understates the number of people present in summer, which inflates the rate. Violent crime is much rarer than the figure suggests. Life expectancy is 80.2 years (2023), the lowest of any Spanish city of its size, and healthcare comes out weak.
Figures for Torrevieja itself, not its region. Each shows the period it covers.
Each card uses Torrevieja data only and compares it with similar cities. Open “Why this score?” to see the measures behind it.
Digital is above average: better than most Spanish cities above 50,000.
Homes with fibre to the door: 99.7% — better than 85% of Spanish cities above 50,000
Above average: 67 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 internetTorrevieja · 2025 | 98.9% | better than 63% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| Homes with fibre to the doorTorrevieja · 2025 | 99.7% | better than 85% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| 5G coverageTorrevieja · 2025 | 100.0% | better than 49% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
Climate is above average: in the top quarter of major European cities.
Pleasant days (18–28 °C, dry): 161 days a year — better than 95% of major European cities
Above average: 63 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)Torrevieja · 2015-01-01..2024-12-31 | 161 days a year | better than 95% of major European cities |
| Days above 35 °CTorrevieja · 2015-01-01..2024-12-31 | 0.60 days a year | better than 64% of major European cities |
| Nights above 20 °CTorrevieja · 2015-01-01..2024-12-31 | 112 nights a year | better than 0% of major European cities |
Jobs is around the middle: around the middle of Spanish cities above 50,000.
Unemployment, change in a year: -1.65 points — better than 78% of Spanish cities above 50,000
Average: 50 out of 100, where 50 is typical for the comparison group. These are the measures behind it.
| Measure | Value | Compared with peers |
|---|---|---|
| UnemploymentTorrevieja · 2025 | 14.0% | better than 32% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| Unemployment, change in a yearTorrevieja · 2025 | -1.65 points | better than 78% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
Transport is around the middle: behind most Spanish cities above 50,000.
Average commute (one way): 31.2 minutes — better than 95% of Spanish cities above 50,000
Average: 44 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)Torrevieja · 2021 | 31.2 minutes | better than 95% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| Commute by carTorrevieja · 2021 | 67.6% | better than 23% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| Commute by public transportTorrevieja · 2021 | 4.30% | better than 3% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
Housing is below average: in the bottom quarter of Spanish cities above 50,000.
Rent growth a year, over 3 years: 6.87% — worse than 92% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Rent per m²Torrevieja · 2024 | 6.60 €/m² a month | better than 70% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| Rents, change in a yearTorrevieja · 2024 | 4.80% | better than 9% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| Buying price per m²Torrevieja · 2026-Q2 | 2,254 €/m² | better than 53% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| Rent growth a year, over 3 yearsTorrevieja · 2024 | 6.87% | better than 8% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| House prices, change in a yearTorrevieja · 2026-Q2 | 16.7% | better than 30% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
Safety is weak: in the bottom 10% of Spanish cities above 50,000.
Burglaries: 576 per 100k people — worse than 99% of Spanish cities above 50,000
Weak: 12 out of 100, where 50 is typical for the comparison group. These are the measures behind it.
| Measure | Value | Compared with peers |
|---|---|---|
| HomicidesTorrevieja · 2025 | 1.01 per 100k people | better than 39% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| Recorded crimeTorrevieja · 2024 | 94.8 per 1,000 people | better than 2% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| RobberiesTorrevieja · 2025 | 319 per 100k people | better than 6% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| BurglariesTorrevieja · 2025 | 576 per 100k people | better than 1% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| Sexual offencesTorrevieja · 2024 | 0.82 per 1,000 people | better than 5% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| TheftsTorrevieja · 2025 | 2,997 per 100k people | better than 5% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| Vehicle theftsTorrevieja · 2025 | 103 per 100k people | better than 26% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
Connectivity is weak: in the bottom 10% of major European cities.
Distance to the main airport: 33.9 km — worse than 97% of major European cities
Weak: 3 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 airportTorrevieja · 2026-10-21 | 33.9 km | better than 3% of major European cities |
Healthcare is weak: in the bottom 10% of Spanish cities above 50,000.
Life expectancy: 80.2 years — worse than 100% of Spanish cities above 50,000
Weak: 0 out of 100, where 50 is typical for the comparison group. These are the measures behind it.
| Measure | Value | Compared with peers |
|---|---|---|
| Life expectancyTorrevieja · 2023 | 80.2 years | better than 0% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
Prosperity is weak: in the bottom 10% of Spanish cities above 50,000.
Household income per person: 10,379 € a year per person — worse than 100% of Spanish cities above 50,000
Weak: 0 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 personTorrevieja · 2024 | 10,379 € a year per person | better than 0% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
What we cannot score for Torrevieja yet
Highs around 30° in August, lows around 9° in January. 161 pleasant days a year (dry, 18–28 °C). 112 warm nights above 20 °C: check for air-conditioning.
| Month | High | Low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 15.7°C | 9.2°C | 36 mm |
| February | 16.4°C | 9.9°C | 14 mm |
| March | 17.8°C | 11.3°C | 58 mm |
| April | 19.4°C | 13.1°C | 42 mm |
| May | 23.0°C | 16.5°C | 29 mm |
| June | 26.8°C | 20.3°C | 15 mm |
| July | 30.0°C | 23.4°C | 4 mm |
| August | 30.3°C | 24.2°C | 18 mm |
| September | 27.5°C | 21.9°C | 53 mm |
| October | 24.2°C | 18.3°C | 40 mm |
| November | 19.9°C | 13.6°C | 39 mm |
| December | 17.2°C | 11.1°C | 37 mm |
Torrevieja is a winter city. The climate is dry and mild: the city gets only 385 mm a year (2015–2024), over 59 a year (2015–2024), and frost is unknown (0 a year, 2015–2024). Pleasant days, mild and dry, number 161 a year (2015–2024), mostly outside July and August.
Summers are warm and humid rather than scorching, with days above the heat threshold at just 1 a year (2015–2024), but the sea keeps nights warm: 112 a year (2015–2024). A flat without air conditioning is uncomfortable from June to September, and the town is crowded and loud in July and August.
The best months are October to May, when the weather is warm and the beaches empty. Rain is rare, but when it comes it can be heavy, and autumn storms occasionally flood the low-lying streets and the surrounding plain.
Lines start with Spain; switch the others on to compare.
73/100 · above average · 23rd of 106 Spanish cities above 50,000
14.0% in 2025
16.7% in Q2 2026
€6.6 per m² a month in 2024
€2,254 per m² in Q2 2026
80.2 years in 2023
Facts about the people who live in Torrevieja. 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.
Public and private care, health cover, and insurance for your life in Spain.
Family, children, and education
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
Staying for good, long-term residence and citizenship, retiring, or returning home.
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.
You will know whether you need an NIE, which route to take and how to handle its paperwork.
Finding your public healthcare route
You will know which route applies to your situation and what, if anything, you have to do to start it.
Becoming a Spanish tax resident
You will know whether and from when Spain taxes you as a resident, and how to keep the evidence to back your position.
School types and choosing a school
You will know which stage your child is in, what each school type means in Spain, and how to shortlist schools that fit your family's stay and goals.
You will have a step-by-step way to pick a barrio in Spain and the tools to test it before signing.
Fit from the data, 0 to 100, against other Spanish cities. Open a group to see the figures behind it.
Dry weather nearly all year, sea, salt-lake trails and flat cycling, with sailing and diving on the coast.
Not measured yet: Environment, Fine-particle pollution (PM2.5), Lifestyle, Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), Strong-wind days.
Fibre almost everywhere, sun and low rents, with Alicante airport about an hour away.
Not measured yet: Cost of Living, Fixed broadband penetration, Lifestyle.
Rents are among the lowest on the Mediterranean coast, but the local job market is weak.
Better nearby for budget-conscious movers: Vila-real (62), Alcoy (61), Castellón de la Plana (60)
Not measured yet: Cost of Living, Households spending >40% of income on housing, Price level vs EU average.
A small but real programme of music, the habanera contest and Holy Week, with few museums beyond the submarine and the sea and salt museum.
Better nearby for culture, food and nightlife: Alicante (70), Valencia (62), Castellón de la Plana (55)
Not measured yet: Lifestyle, Walk most.
Tourism, retail and services serving expats offer niches, but incomes are low and the market is seasonal.
Nothing stands out.
Better nearby for founders and self-employed: Paterna (64), Valencia (59), Alicante (54)
Not measured yet: Jobs in high-tech sectors, Regulatory quality.
The classic expat retirement coast: warm winters, cheap rents and an English-speaking community, though crime is a concern and hospital capacity is thin.
Better nearby for retirees: San Vicente del Raspeig (60), Vila-real (60), Castellón de la Plana (58)
Not measured yet: Cost of Living, Doctors, Environment, Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂).
A narrow job market in tourism, construction and services, with low pay and few peers.
Better nearby for young professionals: Benidorm (51), Castellón de la Plana (50), Gandia (48)
Not measured yet: Jobs in high-tech sectors, Lifestyle, Median gross salary, Youth unemployment (15–24).
No university and low pay in student-type jobs make this a poor fit.
Better nearby for students: Alicante (56), Castellón de la Plana (52), Elche (52)
Not measured yet: Cost of Living, Cycle most, Education, Lifestyle, Price level vs EU average, Walk most, Youth unemployment (15–24).
Sunshine and cheap property, but not the prestige coast, with limited high-end services and a crime problem.
Nothing stands out.
Better nearby for high earners and investors: San Vicente del Raspeig (58), Torrent (57), Paterna (54)
Not measured yet: Average dwelling size, Education, Environment, Income tax and social security, average earner, Total tax on labour, average earner.
A weak fit: low local incomes, a high crime rate and a seasonal economy, though the beaches are good.
Better nearby for families with children: Alcoy (57), Castellón de la Plana (56), Elda (54)
Not measured yet: 15-year-olds' maths (PISA), Average dwelling size, Childcare availability, Education, Environment, Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), Pre-primary participation.
Taxes, residency and the wider economy are set nationally, so they are the same in Torrevieja as anywhere in Spain.
Compared with Torrevieja; each card says where it is better or worse for someone living there.
70 m²: €380 a month
Compare with Torrevieja70 m²: €315 a month
Compare with Torrevieja70 m²: €381 a month
Compare with Torrevieja70 m²: €591 a month
Compare with Torrevieja70 m²: €497 a month
Compare with Torrevieja70 m²: €315 a month
Compare with TorreviejaGuide 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
Need certainty before you act?
For important relocation decisions, speak with a qualified human specialist.
Always verify important information with the relevant official authority or a qualified adviser before acting. This website uses large language models together with various public data sources, official government documents and other established sources. Due to the amount of data on this website, some information might be wrong. Information may also be incomplete or outdated.