PROPERTY SEARCH
Three towns in the Region of Murcia among the cheapest places to rent anywhere in Spain
A new study by property portal Idealista found that average rents in the Region of Murcia's most affordable municipalities start at just €7.20 per square metre a month
Property prices in the Region of Murcia have been making headlines for months as both rents and house prices continue to rise. The Region is still one of the more affordable places to live in Spain, attracting more people looking for better value than they can find elsewhere. But as demand continues to grow faster than the number of homes available, finding an affordable rental is becoming harder.
With many people searching for the best-value places to live, property portal Idealista has published its latest rental study, revealing the cheapest places to rent in Spain. The good news for Murcia is that three municipalities in the Region have made the list.
Lorca is the cheapest place to rent in the Region of Murcia, with average rents of €7.20 per square metre per month. That's almost a quarter (24.4%) lower than the regional average of €9.50, making it not only the Region's most affordable rental market but also one of the cheapest anywhere in Spain.
Alcantarilla ranks second in the Region, with average rents of €7.40 per square metre, around 21.4% below the regional average.
Just behind is Molina de Segura, where tenants pay an average of €7.50 per square metre, making rents around 20.9% cheaper than the average across the Region of Murcia.
The figures come from Idealista's rental price report for the second quarter of 2026, which compares asking rents across municipalities throughout Spain.
Nationally, Baeza in Jaén topped the ranking with average rents of just €5.20 per square metre. It was followed by Almendralejo (Badajoz), Úbeda (Jaén), Lucena (Córdoba) and Puertollano (Ciudad Real), all averaging €6.50 per square metre.
Other municipalities near the top of the list include Almansa (Albacete) at €6.60, Linares (Jaén) at €6.70, Plasencia (Cáceres) and Ponferrada (León) on €6.90, and Valdepeñas (Ciudad Real) and Ontinyent (Valencia) at €7.10 before Lorca appears with €7.20.
Further down the ranking are Ogíjares (Granada) at €7.30, Mérida (Badajoz) and Alcantarilla at €7.40, followed by Molina de Segura on €7.50. The top 25 is completed by municipalities including Motril, La Zubia, Ronda, and Elda, where average rents remain below €8 per square metre.
The report also shows how much cheaper these municipalities are compared with their regional averages. Baeza stands out, with rental prices 61.7% lower than the average across Andalucía. Úbeda and Lucena also recorded rents 52% below the regional average.
Idealista also identified the cheapest municipality to rent in each of Spain's 17 autonomous communities. Outside the regions already represented in the national top 25, Tortosa (Cataluña), Langreo (Asturias), Logroño (La Rioja), Torrelavega (Cantabria), Arucas (Canary Islands), Arroyomolinos (Madrid), Pamplona (Navarre), Inca (Balearic Islands) and Vitoria-Gasteiz (Basque Country) were named the most affordable places to rent in their respective regions.
Read also: Murcia approves new housing law to target hidden costs that inflate rising house prices
Images: Archive
Address
Calle Lope Gisbert, 12, LorcaTel: 968 441914
Oficina de Turismo de Lorca
The rich and extensive history of Lorca has left a legacy of archaeological sites and historic buildings around which the modern city has built its tourism industry. Amongst these are Lorca Castle, Plaza de España, the former Collegiate church of San Patricio, the municipal archaeological museum, the Casa Huerto Ruano, the Palacio de Guevara and the churches and convents of San Francisco, San Mateo, the Virgen de las Huertas, La Merced, El Carmen and many others.
Unfortunately, Lorca has been prone to natural disaster, suffering a severe flood in 1973 which killed 50 people, and a Gota Fría on September 28th 2012, as well as a series of earthquakes, the most recent of which was 5.3 on the Richter scale on 11th May 2011 and claimed 9 lives.
Lorca also has an area of unspoilt coastline incorporating the Parque Regional de Cabo Cope - Puntas de Calnegre, which includes the beaches of Puntas de Calnegre, Cala Calnegre and various others. Although only one is accessible by road others can be reached along dirt tracks!
In terms of fiestas, Lorca is synonymous with Easter (Semana Santa), its biblical parades of International Tourist Interest status being famous throughout Spain. The week includes a series of parades in which the whites (Paso Blanco) and blues (Paso Azul) try to outdo each other with the magnificence of their embroideries and the skill and daring of their horsemen.
In the Autumn Lorca also celebrates the Fiestas of San Clemente and a Feria and there are a series of important events throughout the year in the Recinto Ferial, as well as a busy cultural and sporting programme.
The tourist office relocated for 14 years to Calle San Patricio, near the church, but has now returned to its former premises alongside the Palacio de Guevara in the Plaza Concha Sandoval, or Plaza de la Bordadora (click for map).
Lorca also has an area of inspoilt coastline incorporating the Parque Regional de Cabo Cope - Puntas de Calnegre, in the Sierra de Almenara, which includes the beaches of Puntas de Calnegre, Baño de las Mujeres, San Pedro, El Siscal, Cala Honda, Cuartel del Ciscar, Junquera, Cala de la Gruta, Cala Leña, Los Hierros, Cala Blanca and Playa Larga, although many are accessible only along difficult tracks or by boat!
However, in spite of its many attractions, the name of Lorca is synonymous with Easter, (Semana Santa) its biblical parades of International Tourist Interest status and famous throughout Spain. The week includes a series of processions in which the Whites (Paso Blanco) and Blues (Paso Azúl) try to outdo each other with the magnificence of their embroideries and the skill and daring of their horsemen.
Lorca also has a Parador hotel, located within the historic castle.
Opening hours for Lorca tourist office:
Every day of the year apart from 1st and 6th January and 25th December, 10.00 to 14.00 and 16.30 to 18.30 (except Sunday afternoons).
These opening times are often extended and other information points created during the Semana Santa celebrations.
For more local news, events and visiting information go to the home page of Lorca Today
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