Retiring in Florida vs the Costa del Sol in 2026

“Two classic sunshine destinations – but very different when it comes to healthcare, running costs and how far your retirement budget really goes.”

For years, Florida has been the dream retirement destination for many Americans – palm trees, golf carts and warm winters. At the same time, the Costa del Sol has quietly become the European equivalent: long lunches, sea views and around 300 days of sunshine a year, with retirees arriving from the UK, US, Canada and across northern Europe (and just as many palm trees and golf courses!).

On the surface, the two lifestyles look similar. However, once you dig into property prices, healthcare, insurance, visas and day-to-day costs, the differences become clear.

This guide compares retiring in Benahavís near Marbella, Málaga (the  Costa del Sol) with popular Florida retirement markets like The Villages, Sarasota and Naples – using 2025–2026 figures wherever possible.

• Big-picture monthly living costs
• What you pay to buy a typical retirement home
• Healthcare and health insurance
• Visas and residency options
• Climate, lifestyle and day-to-day living
• How much you really need per month on the Costa del Sol

Living Costs on the Costa del Sol vs Florida (2026)

Most retirees want a simple answer to one key question:

“Roughly how much do we need per month to live comfortably, once our home is bought and paid for?”

Below are realistic estimates for a retired couple in 2025–2026, living at a comfortable but not extravagant level, excluding rent or mortgage payments.

What Your Retirement Home Costs: Costa del Sol vs Florida

Below are three like-for-like comparisons, focusing on buying a home rather than renting. As with all markets, there are cheaper and more expensive examples, but these ranges represent realistic mid-market pricing for 2025–2026.

1) Small 3-Bed Andalusian Townhouse: Benahavís Village vs Central Florida

Benahavís village (Costa del Sol): a traditional 3-bedroom Andalusian townhouse in or near the village – walkable to restaurants and cafés – typically sits around €450,000–550,000 for a well-maintained home with terraces and views.

Central Florida retirement community (e.g. The Villages): smaller 3-bed single-family homes and villas often range between $360,000 and $450,000, with access to extensive community facilities but also monthly amenity and HOA-style fees.

In simple terms: central Florida can look a little cheaper on the purchase price, while Benahavís offers a more walkable village lifestyle, lower property taxes and generally lower home insurance over the long term.

2) Modern 2-Bed Apartment: La Quinta vs Sarasota / Naples Condo

La Quinta (Benahavís, Costa del Sol): a modern 2-bed apartment in a good community with pool, parking and views will usually sit in the €500,000–650,000 range, depending on outlook and specification.

Sarasota / Naples (Florida Gulf Coast): a 2-bed condo in a desirable community commonly ranges around $375,000–450,000. Prime waterfront or downtown units can cost significantly more, and HOA/condo fees can be substantial.

In practice: Florida condos may come with a lower headline price tag, but higher HOA fees, insurance and property taxes often narrow the long-term cost gap with Costa del Sol apartments.

3) 4-Bed Detached Villa with Pool: La Alquería vs Naples Pool Home

La Alquería (Benahavís, Costa del Sol): a modern 4-bedroom villa with private pool and golf or sea views typically sits in the €1.5–2.0 million bracket, with ultra-prime homes above this.

Naples area (Florida): modern 4-bed pool homes in popular gated communities generally sell between $900,000 and $1.5 million, with prime coastal or golf-course properties exceeding that.

At this level: both regions are firmly in “luxury” territory. Spain is not a bargain for showcase villas, but you still benefit from lower property taxes, lower insurance and more predictable running costs over time.

Read why the Why the Costa del Sol beats London, New York & Toronto->

Healthcare and Health Insurance: Spain vs Florida

Spain – Costa del Sol: as a legal resident, you have access to one of Europe’s strongest public healthcare systems. Many retirees also choose private health insurance for speed and comfort, including English-speaking doctors and international clinics along the coast.

• Private cover for a healthy 60–70-year-old often costs around €1,500–2,500 per person per year (roughly €125–210/month).
• A couple can usually budget €250–350/month for comprehensive private coverage.
• Public care remains available, with low or no charges for many services once you’re fully integrated into the system.

Florida: American retirees typically rely on Medicare plus supplement plans. Costs vary by plan choice and income, but for many couples:

• Medicare Part B premiums plus Part D and a Medigap or Advantage plan often total around $350–450/month per person.
• For a couple, that’s commonly $700–900/month, before co-pays, deductibles, dental and vision.
• Medication and out-of-pocket expenses can be significantly higher than in Spain.

In short: even when you include high-quality private insurance in Spain, many retirees find they are spending half or even a third of what they would pay for healthcare in Florida.

Visas and Residency: Can You Actually Retire There?

Spain (Costa del Sol):

• Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV): designed for retirees and those living from pensions, savings or investment income. You must show sufficient income and hold private health insurance.
• Digital Nomad Visa: an option for “semi-retirees” who still work remotely for non-Spanish employers.
• Over time, both routes can lead to long-term residency if you meet the rules and renewals.

Florida (United States):

• For non-Americans, there is no dedicated US retirement visa.
• Most long-term stays require US family sponsorship, an employer, or a substantial business/investment route.
• Many Canadians and Brits simply spend part of the year in Florida on a standard visitor stay, but they cannot “retire full-time” in the same way as they can in Spain.

Practical takeaway: Spain’s visa options are generally more straightforward for non-US retirees who want to relocate full-time, buy a home and build a new life in one place.

Lifestyle: Florida Buzz vs Mediterranean Rhythm

Florida: retirement communities offer huge amounts of organised activity – golf, clubs, events and social life on tap. There is no state income tax, which many Americans appreciate, and English is the default everywhere. The trade-off is higher exposure to hurricanes, humidity, rising insurance costs and a strongly car-dependent lifestyle in many areas.

Costa del Sol: life follows a more Mediterranean rhythm. You have seaside promenades, white villages like Benahavís, bustling Málaga and Marbella, and an international mix of residents. Long lunches, evening walks and year-round outdoor living become normal. Many areas are walkable, public healthcare is strong and private cover remains affordable.

For many retirees from the UK, US and Canada, the biggest change is not just lower bills, but a calmer, more enjoyable day-to-day existence – less time thinking about costs, more time actually living.

How Much Do You Really Need Per Month on the Costa del Sol?

If your home is bought outright, these are practical monthly figures for a retired couple on the Costa del Sol:

• Lean but comfortable: around €1,500/month (≈ £1,290 / $1,600 / C$2,450) – careful eating out, one car, basic private healthcare, plenty of walks and beach time.
• Comfortable with extras: around €1,800–2,200/month (≈ £1,550–1,890 / $1,950–2,400 / C$2,950–3,600) – more meals out, some golf or padel, a few trips and higher-tier private health cover.
• High-comfort / frequent travel: €2,500+/month (≈ £2,150+ / $2,700+ / C$4,000+) – long-haul trips, several meals out per week, higher-end hobbies and more discretionary spending.

Compared with Florida, many couples find that the “comfortable with extras” level in Spain still sits well below what they were spending to maintain a similar lifestyle in the US.

Final Summary: Florida vs the Costa del Sol for Retirement

Florida and the Costa del Sol both offer sunshine, beaches and golf – but they deliver very different experiences once you add up the numbers and look at everyday life.

• Monthly non-housing spending for a retired couple in Florida often sits around $3,000–3,800.
• On the Costa del Sol, a similar standard of living is usually achievable on around €1,600–2,000, and even less for leaner lifestyles.
• Healthcare, insurance and car costs are where Spain pulls dramatically ahead – savings that compound year after year.
• Spain’s residency routes are often more accessible for non-US retirees who want to live abroad full-time.

For some, Florida will always win on convenience and familiarity. But if you are open to a Mediterranean lifestyle – with white villages, sea views, slower days and a budget that stretches further – the Costa del Sol becomes a very compelling alternative.

“For many retirees, the Costa del Sol isn’t just cheaper than Florida – it offers a richer, calmer and more sustainable way to enjoy the next chapter of life.”
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