The cost of living in Spain

Spain, famous for its sunny beaches, lively festivals, and delicious tapas, is a dream destination for many expats. But what does it really cost to live the Spanish lifestyle?

Whether you’re eyeing the artistic vibe of Barcelona, the bustling streets of Madrid, or the serene charm of a coastal town, understanding the cost of living is key. This overview of monthly expenses will give you a clear picture of what (money) it takes to make Spain your new home.

Continue reading for the following information:

What is the state of Spain’s economy?

Spain is the fourth-largest economy in the European Union (EU), trailing behind Germany, France, and Italy.

The Spanish economy is thriving, with a gross domestic product (GDP) of €1.46 billion, which works out to €30,300 per capita (2023). The EC forecasts that the country’s GDP will grow by 2.1% in 2024 and 1.9% in 2025, above the EU average of 1.0% and 1.6%, respectively.

While this rosy outlook is beautiful in theory, in practice, reality is a little different. For example, the equivalised disposable income (i.e., the total net income of all household members divided by the weighted number of household members) is €18,316 per person (2023). This is slightly below the EU average of €20,350 per person.

Around 14.5% of the Spanish population is at risk of poverty, and roughly 6.4% of people can’t afford a meal with meat, chicken, fish, or a vegetarian equivalent every second day. Read more about average salaries and income in our article on minimum wage in Spain.

In terms of purchasing power, Spain’s average headline inflation for 2024 is expected to be 3.2%, above the European Union’s average of 2.7%. This figure is likely to decline to 2.1% in 2025, falling below the EU average of 2.2%.

It’s worth noting, however, that the gradual removal of government measures against high energy prices may temporarily push inflation upwards.

The cost of living in Spain in 2024

According to the National Statistics Institute (Instituto Nacional de Estadística – INE), the average monthly expenses in Spain accumulated to around €1,093 per person or €2,718 per household (2023). This cost of living is the highest it’s been in at least a decade.

Breaking down the costs:

	Per person	Per household
Alcohol and tobacco	€16	€39
Food and drink	€179	€444
Housing and utilities	€348	€864
Healthcare	€42	€104
Internet and telecom	€30	€75
Clothing and footwear	€44	€110
Transportation	€127	€315
Leisure and culture	€55	€138
Restaurants and hotels	€111	€276
Education	€16	€40
Other	€125	€313
Total	€1,093	€2,718

Considering the 2024 inflation rate of 3.2%, it’s recommended that your monthly budget have at least €1,130 per person or €2,810 per household.

Keep reading for an overview of the cost of living expenses you might come across in your daily life.

The price of groceries

Beer, wine, and spirits

From a deep Rioja to a craft beer, Spain is a big name in alcoholic drinks. It is the second largest beer producer in the EU after Germany, and Spanish drinkers consume about 8.8 liters of pure alcohol per year (2020).

In 2023, people spent a monthly average of €16 per person or €39 per household on monthly alcohol and tobacco products.

A local beer in a restaurant will set you back around €1.80–4.50, while an imported one costs about €2–4.80. A glass of wine, on the other hand, can cost between €3.50–5.00.

Alcohol is cheaper in supermarkets. You can get a bottle of beer from €1.25–5.00, depending on the make and size. A bottle of wine usually starts from €3.00–5.00. The price of most liquor (e.g., gin, vodka, or whiskey) starts from €10–15, depending on your choice of drink.

Food and drink

Food is a daily necessity, and groceries present the second largest monthly expense after housing costs. In Spain, people spend a monthly average of €179 per person or €444 per household on food and non-alcoholic drinks (2023).

The average price ranges* of basic supermarket items include:

Product	Price range	Product	Price range
Apples (1 kilo)	€1.80–4.30	Potatoes (1 kilo)	€1.00–3.70
Bread (1 loaf)	€0.95–3.65	Regular milk (1 liter)	€0.85–1.60
Cheese (1 kilo)	€8.40–24.40	Rice (1 kilo)	€1.30–2.15
Coffee (1 kilo)	€5.45–34.75	Tea (1 kilo)	€4.90–178.00
Eggs (12)	€1.90–4.90	Tomatoes (1 kilo)	€1.65–3.80
Orange juice (1 liter)	€0.80–3.00	Water (1.5 liters)	€0.25–2.40

Hygienic and household products

Hygienic and household products are essential for a healthy, comfortable lifestyle. These include everything from toothpaste and shampoo to dish soap (or washing-up liquid) and toilet bleach.

The average price ranges* of hygienic and household necessities include:

Product	Price range	Product	Price range
All-purpose cleaner (1 liter)	€0.75–5.70	Shampoo (100 ml)	€0.15–1.95
Deodorant (100 ml)	€1.35–5.20	Soap (1 liter)	€2.00–5.80
Dish soap (1 liter)	€1.35–9.80	Tampons (per tampon)	€0.11–0.25
Garbage bags (per bag)	€0.04–0.25	Toilet paper (per roll)	€0.37–1.05
Laundry detergent (per wash)	€0.10–0.60	Toothpaste (100 ml)	€1.10–6.90

Housing costs

In 2023, the average monthly housing costs in Spain accumulated to roughly €348 per person or €864 per household. This includes rent and mortgage payments, water, electricity, gas and other fuels.

Rent and property prices

Property prices differ significantly throughout Spain. Houses in Madrid, Barcelona, and most other coastal cities are comparatively more expensive than rural areas and less popular cities.

As of August 2024, the average rent for a home in Spain is €2,485 per month. Potential homeowners will pay an average of €637,448 for a property (or €2,452 per square meter).

Depending on the location, you’ll pay the following average housing prices:

	Average monthly rent	Average property price	Average property price per square meter
Barcelona	€4,930	€1,29 million	€8,056
Madrid	€2,807	€1,76 million	€6,814
Málaga	€1,825	€859,355	€4,430
València	€2,220	€634,161	€3,939
Sevilla	€888	€462,260	€2,626

The most expensive places are, unsurprisingly, the Balearic Islands (Ibiza, Mallorca, and Menorca). However, if you’re looking to live in Spain on a budget, the cheapest cities to move to are:

	Average monthly rent	Average property price	Average property price per square meter
Cáceres‎	€650	€148,389	€524
Ciudad Real	€550	€144,071	€720
Jaén	€686	€159,351	€569
Mérida	€450	€154,835	€220
Zamora	€700	€132,736	€641

Housing prices rose by 4.2% in 2023, well above the pace seen in other European markets.

Learn more about the real estate market and mandatory home insurance by reading our article on buying property in Spain. You can also check out available rentals at:

• Homelike
• Uniplaces (for students)

Utility bills: water, gas, electricity

Spain’s utilities are on par with those of other EU countries. Average monthly expenses range between €100 and €170, depending on your use and property size.

Water prices have been rising in the last decade; at the start of 2024, the average price was €1.97/cubic meter (without VAT). During the second half of 2023, households paid €0.0919 kilowatt/hour for gas (EU average: €0.0891). The average price for electricity was €0.2068 kilowatt/hour (EU average: €0.2226).

Discover more about utility prices and providers in our article on utilities in Spain.

Healthcare

Everyone living and working in Spain can register for public healthcare. The country has (almost) universal medical coverage, though some payments are required for medication and certain procedures.

Many local and expat residents choose to take out additional private health insurance. This provides them with better and faster access to treatment, plus extra coverage for other healthcare, such as dentistry or mental healthcare.

Basic insurance packages start around €30–50 a month for young adults under 30. The cost goes up with age, and most private companies have an age limit above which they won’t insure customers.

In 2023, the monthly average expenditure on healthcare in Spain was €42 per person or €104 per household.

Internet and telecom

The cost of internet and other telecommunication services in Spain can vary depending on several factors, including your location and the type of connection or service. Telecom packages typically include internet, TV, and home phone.

You can install fiber broadband for as low as €25 a month, though your internet speed will not be great. Of course, the price rises if you want to increase the speed or add more TV channels.

In 2023, average monthly communication costs amounted to around €30 per person or €75 per household. Currently, however, standard internet, TV, and phone packages cost between €30 and 60 euros per month. If you choose the same provider for your mobile phone contract, you may get a discount.

Clothing and footwear

The price of clothing and footwear is in line with other EU countries. In 2023, people spent a monthly average of €44 per person or €110 per household on their attire.

In Spain, the cost of living for clothing and footwear varies greatly, depending on the type and brand. For example, underwear costs around €1–10. Dresses and jeans, on the other hand, cost between €20–120.

Transportation

In Spain, people spend a monthly average of €127 per person or €315 per household on transportation (2023).

Public transport

Spain has an extensive public transportation network of bicycles, buses, metros, and trains at affordable prices. These are run locally, so fares and availability differ on where you are. For example, the public bicycle services are currently only available in larger cities, such as:

• Barcelona – €0.15 for the first half hour, €0.50 for each additional 30 minutes up to 2 hours
• Madrid – €0.50 for the first half hour, €0.50 for the second, €3 for each 30 minutes after that
• València – subscription plan based, €0.52 for the first hour, €2.08 for each hour after that

Bus and metro fares also vary by city. According to Numbeo’s cost of living in Spain, a single fare costs €2.50 in Barcelona, and €1.50 in Madrid and València.

If you are planning to commute to work, it’s recommended you get a monthly or yearly plan to travel at a discounted cost. You can also compare flight, bus, and train options on online platforms such as Omio.

Driving and vehicle costs

Using and maintaining a vehicle in Spain is a costly undertaking. According to the 2022 Car Cost Index, the average annual cost for car owners is around €1,044.

Beyond the initial costs of lessons, a driving license, and the actual purchase of the vehicle, you’ll need to budget for:

• Car insurance – the mandatory Third Party Liability insurance cost between €100 and €300 a year
• Annual Road Tax – the amount is largely based on your vehicle fuel type and your municipality
• Fuel costs – as of August 2024, gasoline costs €1.59 per liter, and diesel costs €1.47 per liter
• Maintenance – cars that are older than four years must pass a Roadworthiness Test, which usually costs around €40-65 every two years

Read our article on driving in Spain to learn about costs, mandatory insurance, and driving regulations.

Leisure activities

If you’re living on a budget, you might not include Spain’s cost of leisure activities in your monthly expenses. Then again, people and households spend roughly €55 and €138 per month on leisure and culture (2023) and €111 and €276 per month on restaurants and hotels, so it might be something you should factor in.

Movie theaters and cinemas

The average cinema ticket in Spain costs around €7.50–8.00, which is much cheaper than in the UK and France. Some movie theaters also have discounted days and tickets, offering a screening for as low as €4.50.

Restaurants

Depending on your taste and date night, dining out doesn’t have to be expensive. You can find nice restaurants serving traditional Spanish food for decent prices. Expect to pay around €5–€15 per person in an inexpensive restaurant and around €40 per person in somewhere more upmarket. Meals are more expensive in heavily touristed areas.

Sports

If you want to join a gym, you can expect to pay about €20–50 per month, depending on the club and membership. It’s worth trying out different gyms before signing up for a membership.

Education and childcare

Spanish residents spent a monthly average of €16 per person or €40 per household on education.

Childcare

Mandatory education for children starts at six years old, so working parents with young children may need to arrange childcare. In Spain, options include nurseries, preschools, and independent childminders.

Babies and toddlers (ages 0–3) can attend public nurseries, which usually charge according to the family’s income. From the ages 3–5, children can go to free public preschools. There are no free after-school childcare options available for older children.

It’s worth noting that public childcare is available only to residents with a social security number. Non-resident expats could consider hiring a nanny or au pair. Nannies have an average hourly rate of €11, whereas au pairs require food and lodging, as well as a minimum salary of €70 a week.

Children’s education

Public schools in Spain are funded by resident taxpayers. There are no tuition fees, and parents only need to pay for books, materials, and small donations.

If you prefer to send your children to a bilingual or private school, you will need to pay fees. These vary widely depending on the school’s curriculum, location, and reputation. For example, the cost of international primary and secondary schools ranges from €2,000–€10,000+ per year.

Read more about curriculums and fees in our article on international schools in Spain.

University tuition fees

Studying in Spain is quite affordable compared to some other countries.

While not completely free (like in Austria or Germany), the country is a good location for university students. The average cost of a bachelor’s degree at a public university ranges from €750–€2,500 a year. Tuition fees at private universities are substantially higher and can reach up to €20,000 per year.

Discover more about degree programs and costs in our article on studying in Spain.

How does Spain compare to the rest of the world?

Spain receives a mixed review on the OECD Better Life Index, which measures standards of living. Although the country ranks above average for work-life balance, housing, health, community, and safety, it ranks poorly for income, employment, education, and environmental quality.

The highest Spanish city on the 2023 Mercer’s quality of living index is Madrid (46^th), which is below New York (40^th) and London (45^th) but ahead of Rome (60^th). Barcelona, meanwhile, ranks 48^th.

The cost of living in Madrid

The cost of living in Madrid is cheaper than many other capital cities. The metropolis ranks 48^th on the 2023 Mercer’s cost of living index, meaning it is considerably cheaper to live in than Rome (Italy), Porto (Portugal), and Prague (Czechia).

Compared to other capital cities, Madrid’s cost of living is (as of August 2024):

• 54.7% cheaper than New York (the US)
• 41.9% cheaper than London (the UK)
• 28.9% cheaper than Amsterdam (the Netherlands)
• 58.7% more expensive than Caracas (Venezuela)
• 97.6% more expensive than Rabat (Morocco)
• 119.4% more expensive than Bogotá (Colombia)
• 174.4% more expensive than Delhi (India)

The cost of living in Barcelona

While Mercer ranks the standard of living in Barcelona as just below that of London, the cost of living in Barcelona ranks 48^th in its charts, meaning it is much cheaper than many other countries.

Compared to major cities around the world, Barcelona’s cost of living is (as of August 2024):

• 55.3% cheaper than New York (the US)
• 42.7% cheaper than London (the UK)
• 29.9% cheaper than Amsterdam (the Netherlands)
• 56.8% more expensive than Caracas (Venezuela)
• 95.3% more expensive than Rabat (Morocco)
• 116.8% more expensive than Bogotá (Colombia)
• 170.5% more expensive than Delhi (India)

The cost of living in València

València is Spain’s third-largest city – the total population of its metropolitan region is around 807.700 people (INE, 2023). It boasts a historical center and beachfront areas.

The cost of living in València is typically cheaper than in Madrid or Barcelona (as of August 2024):

• 62.7% cheaper than New York (the US)
• 52.3% cheaper than London (the UK)
• 41.6% cheaper than Amsterdam (the Netherlands)
• 30.7% more expensive than Caracas (Venezuela)
• 62.7% more expensive than Rabat (Morocco)
• 80.6% more expensive than Bogotá (Colombia)
• 125.5% more expensive than Delhi (India)

The cost of living in Sevilla

Sevilla is Spain’s fourth-largest city, with a metropolitan population of about 684.000 people (INE, 2023). Despite being one of Spain’s most beautiful places, Sevilla boasts a highly affordable cost of living.

As of August 2024, the city is:

• 64.5% cheaper than New York (the US)
• 54.5% cheaper than London (the UK)
• 41.6% cheaper than Amsterdam (the Netherlands)
• 24.6% more expensive than Caracas (Venezuela)
• 55.1% more expensive than Rabat (Morocco)
• 72.2% more expensive than Bogotá (Colombia)
• 114.8% more expensive than Delhi (India)

Financial aid for the cost of living in Spain

Spanish residents are entitled to financial aid and social security benefits, depending on their living situation. For example, low-income households can apply for minimum vital income (Ingreso Mínimo Vital – IMV). This benefit is €604.21 per month for single persons, while families receive an additional 30% (€181.26) per family member.

Other benefits that can help you with the cost of living in Spain:

• Carer benefits – for parents who reduce their working hours to look after a child with a serious illness
• Child benefits – Spain offers several child benefits, including for single-parent families or parents with disabilities
• Invalidity pension – available to low-income people living with a temporary or permanent chronic illness or disability
• Unemployment benefits – for workers who are in between jobs

If you are unable to pay for food and groceries, you can contact the municipality’s social services. Their workers will assess your situation and may register you with the local food bank (Bancos de Alimentos).

Useful resources

• The Organisation of Consumers and Users (Organización de Consumidores y Usuarios – OCU) – official website of Spain’s independent watchdog for consumers
• Spanish Federation of Food Banks (Federación Española de Bancos de Alimentos) – website with information on food banks in Spain