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For many people living in the Region of Murcia, owning a home can now cost less each month than renting one. But despite that apparent advantage, thousands of households still find themselves unable to buy because they simply cannot save the large deposit required.

 

New figures from property portal Idealista show that the average monthly mortgage payment in the municipality of Murcia currently stands at around €546. Renting a typical two-bedroom property, by comparison, costs about €751 a month. In practical terms, that means buying is roughly 27% cheaper each month than renting.

 

However, the biggest obstacle for would-be buyers is the upfront savings needed to secure a mortgage. In the city of Murcia, households must have around €50,524 saved before they can qualify for financing.

The situation reflects a wider national trend. Across Spain, the average mortgage payment for a two-bedroom home is €698 per month, while renting a similar property costs €1,088. That makes the mortgage payment around 36% cheaper, although buyers still need an average of €64,568 in savings to access a loan.

 

Property prices have also been rising steadily in the Region of Murcia. Recent reports show housing prices have surged by more than 30% in some coastal areas, adding further pressure for those hoping to enter the property market.

 

The increases are not limited to the largest cities either. While Murcia and Cartagena remain key property hotspots, rising prices are also being recorded in municipalities such as Los Alcázares, San Javier and Alhama de Murcia.

 

Even though buying may now be cheaper month to month, many households still struggle to reach the starting line. Mortgage costs have risen sharply over the past decade, increasing by around 63% and making it harder for buyers to qualify for loans and build up the savings needed for a deposit.

 

For those who cannot save that initial amount, renting remains the only option, even as prices continue to climb. Recent figures show tenants in Spain are now spending an average of 38% of their wages on rent, highlighting the growing financial strain the housing market is placing on households.

 

Across Spain, the amount buyers must save varies widely. Palma currently requires the largest deposit at €147,116, followed by San Sebastián at €137,700, Madrid at €117,793 and Barcelona at €103,172.

At the other end of the scale, Zamora requires the lowest savings at €32,996, with Jaén and Lleida also among the most affordable provincial capitals.

 

The result is a housing market that increasingly leaves many residents caught in the middle. Buying may be cheaper on paper, but without tens of thousands of euros saved in advance, it remains out of reach for many households.

 

 

Image: digital representation