Finding a rental on the Costa Blanca is getting tougher by the month, with demand rising sharply and more people chasing fewer homes. New data shows the pressure is building fast, especially in popular areas like Alicante.
In the first quarter of 2026, each rental listing received an average of 41 enquiries, a 17% increase compared to the same period last year, according to a study by idealista.
Demand keeps climbing
Competition has increased across most Spanish cities over the past year. Among the larger markets, Alicante has seen a 21% rise in the number of people competing for each rental property.
Although cities like Barcelona (99 enquiries per listing), Palma (69) and Madrid (47) top the rankings, Alicante still records a significant 30 contacts per property, reflecting growing pressure in the local market.
Supply shortage
The imbalance between supply and demand continues to fuel the situation. Fewer available homes mean more households are competing for each listing, making it harder to secure a rental.
According to idealista spokesperson Francisco Iñareta, measures such as rent caps in some areas may be limiting price increases, but they are also reducing supply. As a result, competition intensifies and access becomes more difficult, particularly for lower-income households.
Big differences across Spain
The level of competition varies widely depending on location. While some cities like Guadalajara (127 enquiries), Vitoria (125) and Pamplona (110) see extremely high demand, others such as Cáceres (9) or Ceuta (12) remain far less competitive.
Overall, however, the trend is clear: demand is rising in most areas, and only a handful of cities have seen any decrease in competition over the past year.
