The cost of living in Spain is lower compared with Northern Europe and Northern America. On average:
- Housing: Approximately 30-40% lower in Spain.
- Groceries: About 7-25% lower in Spain.
- Dining out: Roughly 10-20% cheaper in Spain.
- Transportation: Generally 25-40% less expensive in Spain.
Secure Peace of Mind with Best-Value International Health Coverage
International Citizens Insurance provide free, no-obligation quotes from the leading international health insurance providers with plans tailored to meet your needs. Trusted by thousands of expats worldwide.
These numbers may vary based on the specific region within Spain. However, they provide a good indication of the cost differences in these essential living expenses.
Here's how Spain's living costs compare to some Northern European and North American countries:
Let’s look at various costs more closely.
Moving expenses
Legal costs
Legal help to sort out your visas and residency, including putting the right documents together plus necessary translations and legalization services (apostilles) and filling out the forms, can add up to the costs of your move.
It can cost between $2500 and $3500 for two people for Non-Lucrative Visa, for example.
Typical legal fees for Golden Visa applications are around $9,000 for an individual applicant, $11,500 for a family of four during the initial application and $3,000 for each subsequent renewal.
Moving household goods to Spain
Shipping household belongings is always a big bill. Here are a few examples of the shipping costs to Spain:
- From the USA: on average, from $2,500 to $10,500.
- From Canada: a 20-foot container – from $1,500, a 40-foot container – from $1,800.
- From the UK: a 20-foot container- from $1,000, a 40-foot container- average $1,600
- From Sweden: a 20-foot container- from $2,400, a 40-foot container- from $2,600.
For more information, visit our guide, Planning And Organizing Removals To Spain.
Monthly expenses
Here’s a breakdown of some of the most common expenses you can expect:
| Expense | From |
| Groceries (for one person per month) | $150-$200 |
| Utilities (Electricity, Water, Garbage per month for an apartment) | $100-$150 |
| Internet (60 Mbps or more, unlimited data, cable/ADSL per month) | $55-$60 |
| Mobile (per minute on the prepaid mobile tariff without any discounts or plans) | $0.18-$0.20 |
| Public transport (Monthly ticket) | $40-$45 |
| Dining out for two (Three-course meal, moderate restaurant) | $35-$50 |
| Train ticket (single way) | $10-$20 |
| Car rent (Economy car, per day) | $20-$30 |
| McDonald’s meal (or equivalent combo meal) | $9-$11 |
Housing expenses
Rental prices vary significantly depending on where you want to live. Below are the average rent costs for a 1-bedroom apartment in a good area in the 10 most popular Spanish cities for expats.
| City | From |
| Madrid | $1,300 – $1,500 |
| Barcelona | $1,100 – $1,300 |
| Valencia | $800 – $950 |
| Seville | $750 – $900 |
| Malaga | $1,000 – $1,200 |
| Granada | $600 – $800 |
| Bilbao | $1,050 – $1,250 |
| Alicante | $800 – $900 |
| Cordoba | $700 – $800 |
| Palma de Mallorca | $1,200 – $1,400 |
To learn more about the Spanish rental process and how to protect yourself as a tenant, read our Renting In Spain guide.
Real estate prices
The most expensive real estate in Spain is in San Sebastian: This resort city boasts the highest average property price per square meter at around €6,192.
The most affordable properties can be found in Alcaudete de la Jara. This town in southern Spain holds the title for the cheapest properties, with an average price per square meter of only around €300.
Here is the average price per square meter in the most popular cities across Sain:
- San Sebastian: €6,192.
- Barcelona: €4,528.
- Madrid: €4,952.
- Ibiza: €6,053.
- Palma de Mallorca: €4,032.
- Malaga: €3,446.
- Valencia: €3,224.
- Seville: €3,024.
- Granada: €2,824.
If you are planning on purchasing your home, our guide to buying a property in Spain explains the process and due diligence required to avoid potential pitfalls.
Regional variations in the cost of living
The living costs can differ significantly depending on the region you choose. Here's a breakdown:
Most expensive:
- Major cities and upscale tourist destinations: Unsurprisingly, Spain's major cities like Barcelona, Madrid, San Sebastian, and popular islands like Ibiza tend to have the highest cost of living. Housing, dining, and entertainment will generally cost more here compared to other areas.
Moderate:
- Mid-sized cities and coastal towns: Many mid-sized cities and coastal towns offer a good balance. Places like Valencia, Malaga, Palma de Mallorca, and Alicante provide a good standard of living with slightly lower costs than major cities. You will find a lot of locations falling into this category in our guide to the Spanish Costas.
Really cheap:
- Smaller towns and rural areas: If affordability is a top priority, smaller towns and villages, particularly inland, boast the most budget-friendly options. Have a look at our Murcia and Costa Calida guide, where we discuss very affordable destinations.
Secure Peace of Mind with Best-Value International Health Coverage
International Citizens Insurance provide free, no-obligation quotes from the leading international health insurance providers with plans tailored to meet your needs. Trusted by thousands of expats worldwide.
Explore popular expat destinations in Spain:
- Living In Benidorm As An Expat: Tips And Insights
- Living On The Costa De La Luz, Spain As An Expat
- 10 Must-Know Facts About Living In Granada, Spain
- What’s It Like Living In Mallorca As An Expat
- Living In The Canary Islands: Pros & Cons For Expats
