Spain is located in southwestern Europe, with most of its territory on the Iberian Peninsula. It is the second largest and fourth most populous country in the European Union. Spain is also a world-famous tourist destination, with a comfortable Mediterranean climate and abundant sunshine. However, cost of living in Spain is lower than in many developed European countries. Therefore, many people want to move to Spain to enjoy a comfortable life with a lower budget. Then, how much does it cost to live in Spain? Please read on.
Is it expensive to live in Spain?
In fact, cost of living in Spain is one of the cheapest in Western countries. The expenses of all aspects of life in Spain are reasonable, and you can enjoy quality services and welfare at a lower cost. According to Numbeo, cost of living in Spain is 26.4% lower than in the UK (including rent), 17.8% lower than in France, and 20.5% lower than in Germany. If you are considering moving to Spain for US, don’t worry. Spain cost of living including rent is even 36.3% lower than in the US.
Cost of living in Spain (details)
As for cost of living in Spain, it is estimated that a single person may spend $764.0 (€713.4) without rent per month, while a family of four can cost $2,695.8 (€2,517.4) without rent. Here are several specific aspects of living expenses in Spain.
Living expenses in Spain: housing in Spain
Property prices in Spain are relatively stable. Due to its long history and rich culture, most of Spain’s architecture is very old, but full of local characteristics. If you want to enjoy the Mediterranean feeling and the atmosphere of ancient Europe, housing in Spain is the perfect choice for you.
Renting apartments
Renting an apartment in Spain is always the best choice for newcomers. If you come to Spain for study or work without so much money, buying an apartment is not that affordable. What’s more, rental in Spain is reasonable and you may not feel so stressedl living in Spain. The average monthly rent for 1b apartments in the city centre is €970.02. Luckily, uhomes.com offers you sufficient properties for rent in Spain, and provides you professional suggestions to choose the best accommodation in this new country.
| Property Types | Monthly Rent |
|---|---|
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre | €970.02 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre | €725.23 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre | €1,528.10 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre | €1,072.25 |
Buying properties
Spain’s housing market has been relatively stable. This is indeed a good thing for local residents and those who want to invest in Spanish property. Buying a house in Spain is a great option if you have the money. That’s because property rights in Spain are freehold. And the area purchased by the real estate has no public area, and in many cases, the outdoor balcony is given away. As a result, buying properties in Spain is cost-effective.
| Property Types | Price |
|---|---|
| Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre | €336.95 |
| Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre | €202.05 |
Utilities
Did you breathe a sigh of relief after renting an apartment? Wait a minute! Did you forget about water and electric charges, Internet fees, phone charges, etc.? These are collectively referred to as utility fees. However, if you want to save that money, you can also consult uhomes.com. We have many listings that cover bills. Then, if not, how much would it cost in Spain?
| Utility | Price |
|---|---|
| Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 915 sq ft Apartment | €133.98 |
| Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data | €17.70 |
| Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | €30.83 |
Living expenses in Spain: food
Food costs in Spain are generally high, especially for daily food and drink. Despite this, Spain’s price level remains relatively moderate compared to other European countries, thanks to government price controls such as price caps on certain food products and import duties. Therefore, through reasonable consumption planning, people can enjoy food and effectively control Spain cost of living.
Restaurants
For those who like to eat out, the cost will increase accordingly, generally around €10-20. Spain has always been famous for its food. Over the past few years, the World’s 50 Best Restaurants has been home to several Spanish restaurants such as Mugaritz, Disfrutar, Elkano and so on.
| Restaurants | Price |
|---|---|
| Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant | €13.00 |
| Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course | €50.00 |
| McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal) | €9.00 |
| Cappuccino (regular) | €1.91 |
Groceries
When it comes to Spanish cost, you have to mention the expenses for groceries. Especially for those who like the food of their hometown, they may not be able to taste authentic food in a foreign country. At this time, you can choose to go to the supermarket to buy the ingredients and groceries, and make meals by yourself.
| Groceries | Price |
|---|---|
| Milk (regular), (1 gallon) | €3.95 |
| Loaf of Fresh White Bread (1 lb) | €1.17 |
| Rice (white), (1 lb) | €0.63 |
| Eggs (regular) (12) | €2.56 |
| Local Cheese (1 lb) | €5.53 |
| Chicken Fillets (1 lb) | €3.29 |
| Beef Round (1 lb) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) | €6.15 |
| Apples (1 lb) | €0.93 |
| Banana (1 lb) | €0.78 |
| Oranges (1 lb) | €0.81 |
| Tomato (1 lb) | €1.01 |
| Potato (1 lb) | €0.70 |
| Onion (1 lb) | €0.74 |
| Lettuce (1 head) | €1.11 |
| Water (1.5 liter bottle) | €0.67 |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | €5.00 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) | €1.08 |
| Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro) | €5.46 |
Living expenses in Spain: transportation
Spain’s transport system is efficient and diverse, offering a wealth of travel options for both residents and international tourists. Besides, the transport expenditure is relatively reasonable and can meet the needs of different budgets.
Within the city, public transport networks such as subways, buses and trams connect every corner of Spain. The price is also affordable. For long-distance travel, Spain’s High-Speed Rail (AVE) is preferred. Known for its high speed, punctuality and comfort, the AVE connects major cities in the country. For example, it takes only about 3 hours to travel from Madrid to Barcelona. In addition, there are traditional rails and long-distance buses, which can meet the needs of different travellers’ budgets.
To reduce transport costs, you can choose accommodation with convenient transport through uhomes.com. We have professional teams to give you reasonable suggestions.
| Transport Types | Price |
|---|---|
| One-way Ticket (Local Transport) | €1.50 |
| Monthly Pass (Regular Price) | €30.00 |
| Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) | €3.50 |
| Taxi 1 mile (Normal Tariff) | €1.98 |
| Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) | €22.84 |
| Gasoline (1 gallon) | €6.01 |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) | €33,365.00 |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car) | €26,621.18 |
Living expenses in Spain: education
The Spanish education system is a comprehensive system with a profound cultural heritage and modern characteristics, covering all stages of pre-school education to higher education. The system focuses on the overall development of students. The government’s huge investment in education has made the public education system developed and free, providing families with affordable educational options.
Childcare
Spain’s primary and secondary education forms an important basis for its education system, providing students with a well-rounded and balanced education. Primary education in Spain is for children between 6 and 12. Education at this stage is compulsory, and public schools are free. Primary education focuses on the development of basic knowledge and basic skills, including reading, writing, math, science, art, sports and many other areas. Middle school education is for children between the ages of 12 and 16 and is part of compulsory education either. High school education is for children aged 16 to 18 and is non-compulsory.
| Childcare | Price |
|---|---|
| Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child | €429.11 |
| International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child | €8,148.15 |
High education
Higher education in Spain attracts students from all over the world due to its high-quality teaching, extensive curriculum and international learning environment. Major universities include Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, University of Barcelona, and Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, etc. Here are the main costs for those Spain universities.
| University | Tuition Fee |
|---|---|
| Complutense University of Madrid | Domestic students: €13,750 International students: €13,750 |
| Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona | Domestic students: €5,000 International students: €6,000 |
| University of Navarra | Domestic students: €10,000 International students: €10,000 |
| Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya · BarcelonaTech (UPC) | Domestic students: €1,660 International students: €4,150 |
Living expenses in Spain: healthcare
Spain’s healthcare system is available to everyone, no matter where they come from or how much money they have. This is because the Spanish healthcare system is supported by taxes and administered by both national and local governments. In Spain, the healthcare system is made up of two parts, public and private, which provide a variety of options for those who need medical care. Here are the main differences between public and private healthcare systems in Spain:
Public healthcare
In Spain, the main source of funding for public healthcare is taxes, which are administered by the state. The goal is to provide healthcare to everyone living in the country, giving them access to a variety of medical services, such as basic medical care, specialized medical care, medical care in Spanish hospitals and emergency medical care. Individuals do not have to worry about costs for these services. People may have to pay for a small amount of treatment or medication.
Private healthcare
Private health centres and services are managed by private companies or individuals. Individuals typically use their private health insurance in Spain, direct payment or employer-provided health plans to pay for private medical services. Private medical services generally provide faster medical care and are characterized by fewer delays in visits and surgeries compared to government-run medical services. Private medical services may also include benefits such as exclusive private space, more targeted care, and more options for surgeries and therapies. However, private healthcare tends to be more expensive and less affordable for the ordinary person.
Monthly cost of living in Spain
Living expenses in Spain are competitive compared with other developed Western countries. To reduce living expenses and improve quality of life, many people prefer moving to Spain from US or other Western countries. However, as a student, a single person or a family of four, your Spain cost of living will be different. The table below will show monthly cost for different situations.
| Type of expense | Avg. cost per month for student | Avg. cost per month for singles | Avg. cost per month for family |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent and Utilities (electricity, water, heating, etc.) | €620 | €717 | €1,153 |
| Food/groceries | €300 | €364 | €966 |
| Transportation | €54 | €80.4 | €223 |
Compare cost of living between cities in Spain
When it comes to cost of living in Spain, there are significant differences between different cities, which are mainly affected by housing prices, transportation, food consumption, education, healthcare, etc. As the capital of Spain, Madrid comes out on top for its high cost of living, followed closely by Barcelona. However, not all Spanish cities are so expensive to live in. For example, cities such as Sevilla and Valencia are more affordable than Madrid and Barcelona, while also having a unique scenery and rich cultures.
Therefore, for individuals or families planning to live in Spain, choosing the right city to live in will directly affect the quality of life. Next, we will shows more details about the cost of living in several Spanish cities in order to provide you with more comprehensive reference information.
Cost of living in Madrid
| Expenses | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| 1-bedroom flat (centre) | 965.00 € |
| 1-bedroom flat (outside of centre) | 721.00 € |
| Utilities | 135.00 € |
| Local transport ticket | 1.50 € |
| Meal (inexpensive restaurant) | 12.00 € |
| Cinema Ticket | 9.00 € |
Cost of living in Barcelona
| Expenses | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| 1-bedroom flat (centre) | 932.00 € |
| 1-bedroom flat (outside of centre) | 724.00 € |
| Utilities | 134.00 € |
| Local transport ticket | 2.20 € |
| Meal (inexpensive restaurant) | 12.00 € |
| Cinema Ticket | 9.00 € |
Cost of living in Valencia
| Expenses | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Rent (Studio) | 836 € |
| Transport | 40 € |
| Groceries | 200 € |
| Leisure | 250 € |
| Other | 110 € |
Cost of living in Sevilla
| Expenses | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Rent | €300 – €600 |
| Food | €200 – €300 |
| Entertainment | €50 – €100 |
| Utilities & Bills | €50 – €70 |
| Transportation | €30 – €50 |
Cost of living in Zaragoza
| Expenses | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| 1-bedroom flat (centre) | 553.00 € |
| 1-bedroom flat (outside of centre) | 435.00 € |
| Utilities | 134.00 € |
| Local transport ticket | 1.35 € |
| Meal (inexpensive restaurant) | 12.00 € |
| Cinema Ticket | 8.00 € |
Spanish cost compared to other countries
The comparison of cost of living in Spain with other countries shows its advantage. According to Numbeo’s cost of living index, Spain cost of living is significantly lower than in countries such as the United States, Australia, Canada, France, and the United Kingdom. In addition, Mercer’s data also shows that costs of living of Spainish major cities such as Barcelona and Madrid are far lower than that of international high-cost cities such as Hong Kong, Singapore and Zurich. Therefore, Spain is an attractive choice for students or international workers seeking a low cost and high quality of life.
Spain vs US
- Without rent, cost of living in Spain is 31.1% lower than in the United States.
- Including rent, cost of living in Spain is 36.0% lower than in the United States.
- Rentals in Spain are 45.9% lower than in the United States.
- Cost of restaurant in Spain is 32.7% lower than in the United States.
- Groceries prices in Spain are 37.5% lower than in the United States.
- Local purchasing power in Spain is 33.8% lower than in the United States.
Spain vs UK
- Without rent, cost of living in Spain is 26.0% lower than in the United Kingdom.
- Including rent, cost of living in Spain is 26.6% lower than in the United Kingdom.
- Rentals in Spain are 28.1% lower than in the United Kingdom.
- Cost of restaurant in Spain is 29.6% lower than in the United Kingdom.
- Groceries prices in Spain are 20.8% lower than in the United Kingdom.
- Local purchasing power in Spain is 18.8% lower than in the United Kingdom.
Spain vs India
- Without rent, cost of living in Spain is 126.8% higher than in the United Kingdom.
- Including rent, cost of living in Spain is 161.5% higher than in the United Kingdom.
- Rentals in Spain are 327.8% higher than in the United Kingdom.
- Cost of restaurant in Spain is 178.6% higher than in the United Kingdom.
- Groceries prices in Spain are 97.5% higher than in the United Kingdom.
- Local purchasing power in Spain is 18.3% higher than in the United Kingdom.
Spain vs Canada
- Without rent, cost of living in Spain is 26.4% lower than in the United Kingdom.
- Including rent, cost of living in Spain is 27.2% lower than in the United Kingdom.
- Rentals in Spain are 29.3% lower than in the United Kingdom.
- Cost of restaurant in Spain is 24.9% lower than in the United Kingdom.
- Groceries prices in Spain are 33.9% lower than in the United Kingdom.
- Local purchasing power in Spain is 8.9% lower than in the United Kingdom.
Spain vs Portugal
- Without rent, cost of living in Spain is 6.5% higher than in the United Kingdom.
- Including rent, cost of living in Spain is 3.2% higher than in the United Kingdom.
- Rentals in Spain are 4.4% lower than in the United Kingdom.
- Cost of restaurant in Spain is 21.7% higher than in the United Kingdom.
- Groceries prices in Spain are 6.9% higher than in the United Kingdom.
- Local purchasing power in Spain is 62.5% higher than in the United Kingdom.
Conclusion
With its high quality of life, rich cultural heritage and relatively affordable living expenses in Spain, Spain has become an ideal place for many people. Although housing prices and daily costs in major cities such as Madrid and Barcelona are almost in line with international metropolises, most areas still maintain relatively reasonable prices, especially for food, public transport and leisure. By budgeting carefully, I’m sure that your cost of living in Spain will be reasonable. For those seeking a high quality of life while focusing on a balanced budget, Spain is a good place to settle.
FAQ
Although living in Spain is so comfortable, the average earnings in Spain is also relatively low. The monthly average wage in Spain after tax (net) is 1,745.26 €. The reason for its relatively lower salary may be Spain’s lack of industry. It mainly focuses on manufacturing, and is not good at technologies or other emerging industries. Therefore, job opportunities may be less than other developed countries.
For a family of four, monthly cost of living in Spain is 2,705.7$ (2,517.8€) without rent, while for a single person, the cost may be 766.8$ (713.6€) without rent.
Therefore, if you a single person, a monthly salary of around 2000€ should be sufficient for a comfortable life in Spain. But if you pursue a higher quality of life, you may earn more money.
| Type of expense | Avg. cost per month for student | Avg. cost per month for singles | Avg. cost per month for family |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent and Utilities (electricity, water, heating, etc.) | €7440 | €8604 | €13,836 |
| Food/groceries | €3,600 | €4,368 | €11,592 |
| Transportation | €648 | €964.8 | €2676 |
No.
Even if you are a single person living in Spain for one month, living expenses without rent may reach 766.8$ (713.6€). The average rent for 1b apartment even outside of the city centre in Spain can reach 725.00 €.
| Property Types | Monthly Rent |
|---|---|
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre | €970.02 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre | €725.23 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre | €1,528.10 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre | €1,072.25 |
Yes. Living in Spain is cheaper than living in the USA.
On average, cost of living in Spain is 31.1% lower than in United States. And rent in Spain is 45.9% lower than in United States.
Spain has often been listed as one of the countries with quality life.
With a Mediterranean climate, world-renowned cuisine and a slower pace of life, Spain offers an excellent quality of life. In addition, the Spanish education system offers a high standard of education with a focus on developing critical thinking and creativity. Another notable feature of Spanish life is security. Spain has a low crime rate compared to many northern European countries. This means a sense of security, making it an ideal place to raise a family, retire or live with peace of mind.
