# Living in Rojales: natural hazards, housing and amenities Rojales is a municipality in the province of Alicante, Comunitat Valenciana, Spain, with 17,652 registered residents (1 January 2025). The centre lies outside mapped flood areas. Resale homes pay 9 % transfer tax (ITP). This overview covers 8 topics from official open data, measured at the centre; values at a specific address can differ. As of: 9 November 2026 · Source: https://www.place-check.com/places/spain/rojales ## About Rojales ### Rojales: living beside the Segura on the southern Costa Blanca Rojales sits inland from the Mediterranean in the Vega Baja del Segura, the low-lying agricultural district of southern Alicante province, in the Comunitat Valenciana. The River Segura runs through the town, while the surrounding landscape combines irrigated farmland, low hills and extensive residential areas. The beaches around Guardamar del Segura are part of its wider coastal setting, but Rojales itself is a river town rather than a beachfront resort. For anyone considering living in Rojales, that distinction matters. Its traditional centre has a different feel from the municipality’s more spread-out residential areas, and an address can change how easily daily life works without a car. With around **17,700 residents** and a mean age of **52.4**, Rojales has a notably mature population, alongside families and an established international community. ### Living in Rojales: a working town with a residential hinterland Rojales has grown by around 6% over five years. Its appeal is not based solely on summer visitors: the town has an everyday commercial life, while its international population brings demand for services beyond the holiday season. Nevertheless, activity and atmosphere vary between the traditional town and residential areas farther from it. The river and the surrounding *huerta*—irrigated agricultural land—help explain the older settlement. Water management and farming shaped this part of the Vega Baja long before its modern residential expansion. The historic stone bridge across the Segura remains a recognisable feature of the townscape. The Cuevas del Rodeo, former cave dwellings associated with artists and craft activity, offer another connection to local history. They give Rojales a cultural identity beyond its role as a base near the coast, and make the hillside above the town more than simply a residential backdrop. ### Shops, healthcare and daily routines in Rojales The supplied map data records 15 supermarkets and grocery shops, eight pharmacies and four doctors’ practices within 2 km of the report’s centre point. It also lists 50 restaurants, 16 cafés and 12 bars, suggesting substantial choice for eating out within that search area. Those totals should not be mistaken for a compact, fully walkable shopping centre. The nearest mapped supermarket, pharmacy and doctor or health centre are each about 1.4 km from the reference point, measured in a straight line. Actual walking routes may be longer, and gradients matter where homes sit on higher ground. A hospital is mapped about 1.7 km away in a straight line, but proximity alone does not establish its services or how appointments and access work. For retirees or anyone managing regular treatment, the relevant question is the practical journey from the property to the care they need. ### Commuting from Rojales and reaching the coast Rojales is better suited to road-based travel than rail commuting. The AP-7 and its nearest junction, exit 745, are about 2.6 km from the report’s centre. That provides access to the wider coastal road network, although the figures do not establish journey times or traffic conditions. No railway line runs within 12 km of the centre. Just two public transport stops appear in the supplied mapping within 2 km, so anyone relying on buses should check routes, timetables and the walk to the stop before choosing a home. Alicante-Elche Airport is about **27 km away in a straight line**, useful context for international residents but not a driving distance. Likewise, access to the beaches around Guardamar is an advantage of the location, not evidence that a particular property offers a convenient walk to the sea. ### Moving to Rojales with children or for retirement The mapping lists eight schools and one nursery school within 2 km of the centre. That establishes an educational presence, but not teaching languages, admissions availability or suitability for a particular child. Families relocating from abroad will need to investigate those details directly. For retirement, Rojales combines an older resident profile with shops, healthcare provision and access to the coast. For remote workers, it offers a residential setting away from the beachfront, but broadband and mobile reception still need checking at the property. Outdoor life can include the river landscape, local cultural visits and coastal outings. The winter and summer experience will differ, particularly in exposed residential settings; shade, indoor comfort and the route to everyday services deserve as much attention as outdoor space. ### Who Rojales suits—and what to check at the address Rojales suits people seeking a year-round base in southern Alicante who value coastal access without needing to live on the beachfront. It is less straightforward for anyone expecting rail commuting or assuming all essentials will be within an easy walk. The report’s centre lies outside the national mapped river and coastal flood areas, but that finding must not be extended to every property in a municipality crossed by the Segura. Check the exact address, its access routes and local drainage. The centre also falls outside the strategic noise-map contours supplied, which cover only certain major sources. At the property, assess traffic and nearby activity, walking gradients, summer shade, internet service and the real journey to shops, schools or healthcare. Those checks will reveal more about daily life than a Rojales address alone. ## Where Rojales is Rojales is a municipality in the province of Alicante, Comunitat Valenciana, Spain (INE municipality code 03113). The centre lies at about 110 m above sea level, on a ridge or hilltop. - Province: Alicante - Autonomous community: Comunitat Valenciana - INE code: 03113 - Elevation of the centre: 110 m ## Population Rojales had 17,652 registered residents on 1 January 2025 (+5.9 % over five years), according to the municipal register (padrón). The mean age is 52.4 years; 38.3 % of residents are 65 or older; 11.6 % are under 18 (2024). The average household has 2.3 people. Average net income is €11,837 per person and €28,983 per household a year (2024, INE household income atlas, based on tax records). - Residents (1 Jan 2025): 17,652 - Change over five years: +5.9 % - Mean age: 52.4 years - Net income per person (2024): €11,837 ## Housing: prices, rents and purchase taxes In Comunitat Valenciana, house prices changed by +13.0 % over the last year (resale homes: +13.8 %) and by +54.5 % over five years, according to the INE house price index (IPV) for 2026Q2. The index is only published per autonomous community and does not give prices per square metre. Rents in Rojales changed by +2.8 % year on year in 2024 (INE rental price index, IPVA). Buying a resale home in Comunitat Valenciana costs transfer tax (ITP) of 9 % of the price, rising on a scale to 11 % above €1,000,000. A new home bought from a developer pays 10 % VAT (IVA) plus stamp duty (AJD, 0.5 to 1.5 % depending on the region) instead. Reduced rates exist, for example for young buyers, large families or a main residence. Rojales is not a declared stressed rental market area under Spain's 2023 Housing Act (declarations published up to 3 November 2026), so the rent caps for such areas do not apply. - House prices, year on year (Comunitat Valenciana): +13.0 % - House prices, five years: +54.5 % - Rents, year on year (2024): +2.8 % - Transfer tax (ITP), resale: 9 % - Stressed rental area: no ## Everyday life and amenities Within 2 km of the centre, OpenStreetMap lists 15 supermarkets and groceries, 50 restaurants, 16 cafés, 12 bars, 8 schools, 1 nursery school, 4 doctors' practices, 8 pharmacies and 2 public transport stops. Nearest to the centre, in a straight line: supermarket, about 1.4 km; pharmacy, about 1.4 km; doctor or health centre, about 1.4 km; nursery school, about 1.5 km; public transport stop, about 1.7 km; hospital, about 1.7 km. ## Noise and traffic The AP-7 runs about 2.6 km from the centre. No railway line runs within 12.0 km. The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Alicante-Elche (ALC), about 27 km in a straight line. The centre is not inside any noise contour of the strategic noise maps (European Environment Agency, 2022); the maps only cover major roads, railways, airports and large urban areas, so this is no guarantee of quiet. ## Natural hazards The centre lies outside the river and coastal flood areas mapped by Spain's national flood mapping system (SNCZI) for 10-, 100- and 500-year return periods. Small streams and dry riverbeds (ramblas), flash floods after torrential rain (DANA) and urban runoff are largely not mapped: "not mapped" does not mean "no risk". Under Spain's seismic building code (NCSE-02), Rojales has a basic seismic acceleration of 0.15 g, so buildings must be designed to resist earthquakes. Since 2000, the European seismic catalogue (EMSC) lists 58 earthquakes of magnitude 3 or more within 50 km, the strongest of magnitude 4.5 (2003). Radon: the radon potential map of Spain's Nuclear Safety Council (CSN) puts the area at 101-200 Bq/m³ (P90, class 2 of 5), below the 300 Bq/m³ reference level. Actual indoor levels depend on the building; only a measurement gives certainty. No landslides or other ground movements are documented within 2 km of the centre (IGME BDMoves inventory). - Flood area at the centre: none mapped - Seismic acceleration (NCSE-02): 0.15 g - Radon potential (P90): 101-200 Bq/m³ ## Connections and internet The nearest motorway junction (exit 745) is about 2.6 km from the centre. 99 % of households in Rojales can get fibre to the home (FTTH) and 97 % at least 1 Gbit/s; 5G reaches 100 % (operator data, 2025). Coverage can differ from street to street. ## Climate and sun On 21 December the centre gets about 9:30 h of direct sun, on 21 June about 14:42 h (terrain only; buildings and trees not included). A solar PV system at the optimal tilt yields about 1,680 kWh per kWp a year here (PVGIS). ## Frequently asked questions ### Is there a flood risk in Rojales? The centre lies outside the river and coastal flood areas mapped by Spain's national flood mapping system (SNCZI) for 10-, 100- and 500-year return periods. Small streams and dry riverbeds (ramblas), flash floods after torrential rain (DANA) and urban runoff are largely not mapped: "not mapped" does not mean "no risk". For an exact address, Place Check creates a separate report with the values at that point. ### What purchase tax do you pay when buying a home in Rojales? Buying a resale home in Comunitat Valenciana costs transfer tax (ITP) of 9 % of the price, rising on a scale to 11 % above €1,000,000. A new home bought from a developer pays 10 % VAT (IVA) plus stamp duty (AJD, 0.5 to 1.5 % depending on the region) instead. Reduced rates exist, for example for young buyers, large families or a main residence. For an exact address, Place Check creates a separate report with the values at that point. ### Is Rojales a stressed rental market area? Rojales is not a declared stressed rental market area under Spain's 2023 Housing Act (declarations published up to 3 November 2026), so the rent caps for such areas do not apply. For an exact address, Place Check creates a separate report with the values at that point. ### Is Rojales in an earthquake zone? Under Spain's seismic building code (NCSE-02), Rojales has a basic seismic acceleration of 0.15 g, so buildings must be designed to resist earthquakes. Since 2000, the European seismic catalogue (EMSC) lists 58 earthquakes of magnitude 3 or more within 50 km, the strongest of magnitude 4.5 (2003). For an exact address, Place Check creates a separate report with the values at that point. ### How many people live in Rojales? Rojales had 17,652 registered residents on 1 January 2025 (INE). For an exact address, Place Check creates a separate report with the values at that point. ### Are there schools and shops in Rojales? Within 2 km of the centre, OpenStreetMap lists 15 supermarkets and groceries, 50 restaurants, 16 cafés, 12 bars, 8 schools, 1 nursery school, 4 doctors' practices, 8 pharmacies and 2 public transport stops. For an exact address, Place Check creates a separate report with the values at that point. ## Sources - Photon geocoder (OpenStreetMap data) (komoot / OpenStreetMap contributors; ODbL 1.0): https://photon.komoot.io - CartoCiudad reverse geocoding (municipio, provincia, comunidad autónoma) (Instituto Geográfico Nacional (IGN) / CNIG, CartoCiudad; CC BY 4.0; data 2025-02): https://www.cartociudad.es/geocoder/api/geocoder - INE: Padrón municipal (population), Atlas de distribución de renta de los hogares (ADRH: demographics, income) (Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE); INE terms of use (free reuse incl. commercial, citing the source); data padrón 1 Jan 2025; ADRH 2024): https://www.ine.es/dyngs/INEbase/es/operacion.htm?c=Estadistica_C&cid=1254736177088&menu=ultiDatos&idp=1254735976608 - INE Índice de Precios de Vivienda (IPV, base 2025, by comunidad autónoma) and Índice de Precios de Vivienda en Alquiler (IPVA, by municipality) (Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE); INE terms of use (free reuse incl. commercial, citing the source); data 2020Q3-2026Q2): https://www.ine.es/dyngs/INEbase/es/operacion.htm?c=Estadistica_C&cid=1254736152838&menu=ultiDatos&idp=1254735976607 - OpenStreetMap via OpenFreeMap vector tiles (OpenMapTiles schema) (OpenStreetMap contributors; tiles: OpenFreeMap (fallback VersaTiles); ODbL 1.0 (OpenStreetMap data); OpenMapTiles schema CC BY 4.0; data 2026-11-01): https://openfreemap.org/ - Transitous stop index (MOTIS 2 map/stops) (Transitous (community service); timetable data per transitous.org/sources; Transitous usage policy: non-commercial only (fallback, replace before launch); data per source licences; data 2026-11-09): https://transitous.org/sources/ - Transitous public transport routing (MOTIS 2) (Transitous (community service); timetable data per transitous.org/sources; Transitous usage policy: non-commercial only (fallback, replace before launch); data per source licences, OSM ODbL; data 2026-11-10): https://transitous.org/sources/ - Strategic noise maps (Environmental Noise Directive, round 2022), EEA noise contours (European Environment Agency (EEA), data reported by the member states; EEA standard re-use policy (CC BY 4.0); data 2022): https://www.eea.europa.eu/en/topics/in-depth/noise - Purchase taxes (ITP by comunidad autónoma; IVA / AJD) and stressed rental zones (Ley 12/2023), static tables (Regional tax laws (BOE / regional gazettes); Ministerio de Vivienda y Agenda Urbana, quarterly BOE resolutions; Official legal texts (BOE: free reuse, Real Decreto 1495/2011); data 2026-11-04): https://www.boe.es/ - SNCZI flood hazard maps T10/T100/T500 (fluvial) and T500 (coastal), INSPIRE WMS (Ministerio para la Transición Ecológica y el Reto Demográfico (MITECO), served by the IDEE / IGN; CC BY 4.0): https://sig.miteco.gob.es/snczi/ - BDMoves landslide inventory and Mapa de Movimientos del Terreno 1:1,000,000 (Instituto Geológico y Minero de España (IGME-CSIC); CC BY 4.0): https://mapas.igme.es/gis/rest/services/BasesDatos/IGME_BDMoves_ES/MapServer - NCSE-02 seismic code, Annex 1 (basic acceleration per municipality); EMSC earthquake catalogue (FDSN event service) (Ministerio de Fomento / IGN (NCSE-02, BOE); European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC); BOE: free reuse; EMSC data policy (free use with attribution); data 2000-2026): https://www.seismicportal.eu/ - Mapa del potencial de radón de España (P90 classes), republished in the SIU (Consejo de Seguridad Nuclear (CSN); service: Ministerio de Vivienda y Agenda Urbana (SIU); CSN / MIVAU open data (reuse with attribution)): https://www.csn.es/mapa-del-potencial-de-radon-en-espana - Cobertura de banda ancha en España, by municipality (FTTH, ≥ 100 Mbit/s, ≥ 1 Gbit/s, 4G, 5G) (Ministerio para la Transformación Digital y de la Función Pública, Secretaría de Estado de Telecomunicaciones e Infraestructuras Digitales; Public sector information, free reuse with attribution (Ley 37/2007, RD 1495/2011; datos.gob.es); data 2025-06-30): https://digital.gob.es/telecomunicaciones-infraestructuras-digitales/areas-interes/banda-ancha/informacion-cobertura - Copernicus DEM GLO-30 (30 m surface model, read live) (European Space Agency (ESA) / Copernicus, served by AWS Open Data; Copernicus DEM licence (free use with attribution); data 2021): https://copernicus-dem-30m.s3.amazonaws.com/ - Terrain horizon + sun path, computed from Copernicus DEM GLO-30 (radius 20 km) (European Space Agency (ESA) / Copernicus, served by AWS Open Data; Copernicus DEM licence (free use with attribution); data 2021): https://copernicus-dem-30m.s3.amazonaws.com/ - PVGIS 5.3 PVcalc (1 kWp, crystalline Si, 14 % losses, optimal angles) (European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC); EC reuse notice (Decision 2011/833/EU), reuse incl. commercial with acknowledgement; data PVGIS-SARAH3 2005-2023): https://re.jrc.ec.europa.eu/pvg_tools/en/ --- What is it like at your address? Create a report for your exact address: https://www.place-check.com/es?address=Rojales