What is the population of Nerja?

Nerja has a population of approximately 22,000 people.

How much does it cost to live in Nerja?

A single person can expect to spend around $2,025 per month in Nerja, including rent. A 1-bedroom apartment in the city center costs approximately $810/month.

What is the nearest airport to Nerja?

The nearest airport to Nerja is AGP, approximately 55km away.

Is Nerja safe for expats?

Nerja is considered relatively safe, with a safety index of 86.0. As with any city abroad, expats should research specific neighborhoods before committing to a location.

Is Nerja good for remote work and digital nomads?

Nerja has an average internet speed of 95 Mbps. It is considered a well-established digital nomad destination.

Nerja, Spain

🌊 Coastal

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📊 Scores

Retiree

Digital Nomad

Best fit: Retiree (score: 84)

Nerja sits on Spain's southern Mediterranean coast, 55 kilometers from Malaga Airport (AGP), at an elevation of 85 meters above sea level. Its climate is classic Mediterranean, with mild winters and warm, dry summers, drawing a population of around 22 thousand. Expats tend to cluster in the Centro for its walkable old town, Capistrano for its hillside views and community feel, and the Burriana Beach area for seaside living. The large and active expat community means English is common in tourist areas, making it easy for newcomers to settle in.

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🏚️ Cost of Living

💰 Budgets and Costs

$1,217/mo, one person, rent included

Selected: mid-range lifestyle

Nerja on a mid-range budget comes to about $1,217 a month for one adult, with $670 of that going to rent. Beyond rent the estimate covers $162 on groceries, $135 on dining out, $88.00 on entertainment and lifestyle and $162 on utilities and connectivity.

Rent

$670/mo

1BR outside the centre

Groceries

$162/mo

Staples basket scaled to a full month

Dining out

$135/mo

10 inexpensive meals

Entertainment & lifestyle

$88.00/mo

gym, 2 cinema trips, 12 cappuccinos

Utilities & connectivity

$162/mo

utilities, mobile

Budgets (excl. rent)

Single person$547/mo

Excludes rent. The total above is all-in, rent included.

Estimates for one adult, built from this city's average prices and the usage shown for each tier. Your spending will differ with how often you eat out and where you live.

A 1BR in the center runs about $810/mo. If your income is in another currency, bank FX fees add up. A multi-currency account can cut that cost.

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🛡️ Safety & Crime

Safety Index

(Higher is safer)

Crime Index

(Lower is safer)

Nerja is among the safer towns on the Costa del Sol. The low crime index reflects a permanent population that is older, stable, and community-minded.

The main issue, predictably, is petty theft and opportunistic bag-snatching around the tourist center and beach areas in summer. Residential streets feel genuinely safe at night year-round.

The established expat community and walkable town center mean most residents feel comfortable. Car break-ins near beach parking spots are the most commonly reported issue. Keep valuables out of sight.

🏥 Healthcare

Good

Public Hospitals

Yes

Private Clinics

Yes

English-Speaking Doctors

Available

The local Centro de Salud covers primary care for registered residents. Hospital Comarcal de la Axarquía in Vélez-Málaga (25 min) handles more complex cases. Hospital Regional in Málaga (1.5 hrs) is the regional reference center.

Given the large British expat population, private GPs with English language capability are easy to find — a handful operate in or near Nerja specifically.

Private health insurance is straightforward to arrange. Given the high proportion of retirees over 55, expect premiums to reflect age. Sanitas and Adeslas both have decent coverage in the Axarquía area.

See how Nerja's healthcare compares with Elche

🌤️ Climate

Climate Zones

Mediterranean

Summer Temp

28°C

Winter Temp

12°C

Humidity

63%

Air Quality Index

Annual Rainfall

490 mm

Climate Notes

Nerja's microclimate is slightly different from western Costa del Sol - sheltered by the Sierra Almijara mountains behind it and positioned at the transition point where the Mediterranean meets more varied Andalusian terrain.

This means a touch more humidity and slightly more rainfall than Málaga or Torremolinos, but also marginally cooler summers.

Winters are genuinely mild; sub-10°C days are rare. The sea stays swimmable from June through October.

Bes Months: May, June, September, October. July and August are busy and hot (26–30°C on the coast) but manageable. January and February are the quietest months and still see daytime temperatures of 16–18°C.