The cost of living in Spain

From tapas to flamenco, to the golden beaches of the Costa Brava, Spain has it all. Whether you’ve succumbed to its charms or to the warmth of its land and people, here’s a complete guide to the cost of living in Spain.

Overview of the average cost of living in Spain

The official currency in Spain is the euro (EUR). Spain’s average cost of living for a single person is €1,300, and €3,500 for a family of four. These figures include rent, groceries, transport, medical expenses and monthly utilities.

Housing in Spain

For expatriates, the housing budget is the biggest expense item in Spain. To rent a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre, expect to pay between €650 and €1,500 per month. In the suburbs, rent is between €450 and €1,000 per month. If you want to become a homeowner, expect to pay an average of €3,650 per m2 in the city centre, and €2,150 outside.

Property prices by city in Spain

Housing budgets vary considerably from city to city. Some cities, such as Madrid and Barcelona, have high prices due to strong demand and limited supply.

Here’s a comparison of housing prices in Spain’s main cities:

Housing costs additional charges

Monthly charges are added to the housing budget. These cover electricity, air conditioning and heating, as well as water. For an 85m2 apartment, expect to pay an average of €135 per month.

• Electricity price per kWh: €0.203
• Gas price per kWh: €0.084

Food prices in Spain

Living in Spain also means taking advantage of a rich terroir and the typical gastronomy that goes with it! So, it’s essential to indulge yourself when shopping. To give you an idea of the average monthly budget, here are the prices of certain foods in Spain:

Transportation in Spain

The average price of a one-way ticket in Spain is between €1 and €2.50. Fares vary from city to city. Cab fares average €3.5, plus €1.20 per kilometre travelled. Here’s a comparison of transport prices (metro and bus) in Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia and Bilbao:

Medical expenses in Spain

Spain’s healthcare system is based on a well-developed infrastructure in both the North and South of the country. Expatriates often opt for private international health coverage, as it:

• Provides coverage in Spain and abroad
• Provides access to top-quality care in Spain
• Can be customized for you and your family

Education and childcare in Spain

Parents with young children can hire babysitters, with an average hourly rate of €11. For kindergarten, expect an average monthly budget of €400 for a private school. For schooling, you can opt for a private international school, with annual fees ranging from €5,000 to €13,000. There are also several French-speaking schools in Spain, offering parents the opportunity to give their children a Franco-Spanish education.

Here are the tuition fees for the year 2024-2025 at the Lycée Français de Madrid:

• First enrolment fee: €1,500 (kindergarten/elementary) and €1,700 (junior high/high school)
• Pre-school: €6,500
• Elementary: €6,000
• Junior high: €7,000
• High school: €7,500

Telecommunications services in Spain

The cost of telecommunication services (mobile and internet) varies according to Spanish operators. Here is an average range of rates charged:

• Monthly mobile package (calls + 10 GB data): €10 to €30
• Monthly internet subscription (60 Mbps and unlimited data): €20 to €50

Leisure activities in Spain

During your free time or family weekends, there are plenty of activities on offer in Spain:

•  Meal for 2 in a mid-range restaurant: €50.
• Go out for a coffee: 2€ for a cappuccino.
• Go to the gym: €40 monthly subscription.
• Visit the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao: 15€.
• Go to the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona: from 26€.
• Spend a day at the PortAventura World theme park: from €40 adult / €35 child.
• Take surfing lessons on Oyambre beach: €130 for 10 hours.

Cost of living in Spain’s different regions

Spain is made up of several autonomous communities, including the Basque Country (in the North), Catalonia (in the North-east) and Andalusia (in the South). The cost of living varies considerably from one region to another. Living in Catalonia or the Basque Country requires the highest monthly budgets in the country, alongside Madrid. Andalusia, on the other hand, has a more affordable cost of living.

This cost difference is mainly due to the economic situation of Catalonia, including its capital, Barcelona. Similarly, the Basque Country boasts the highest GDP per capita in the country, with Bilbao as its financial centre. These regions enjoy a higher standard of living, which is driving up prices.

By way of comparison, per capita GDP in Catalonia is around €34,000, while it’s €22,000 in Andalusia.

Cost of living in Spain compared with neighbouring countries

Compared with France

The cost of living in Spain is 25% lower than in France. In Spain, a person needs a monthly budget of €1,300, whereas in France, this budget exceeds €1,600. The biggest price difference is in the cost of shopping, which is 30% higher in France. Here are a few examples:

• Rice (1 kg): €1.40 in Spain, compared with €2.20 in France
• Chicken fillets (1 kg): €7 in Spain, compared with €12.60 in France
• Tomatoes (1 kg): €2.20 in Spain, versus €3.30 in France

However, the average salary in France is higher (around €2,500), and people’s purchasing power is 8% higher than in Spain.

Compared with Portugal

The average cost of living in Spain is 3% to 6% higher than in Portugal. A person needs a monthlybudget of around 1,200 euros to live in Portugal. However, the difference lies in local purchasing power and average wages. The average wage in Spain is higher than in Portugal (1,700 euros vs. 1,050 euros), as is purchasing power, which is 60% higher in Spain.

If you’re interested in this subject, check out our complete guide to the cost of living in Portugal.

Find out more about Spain:

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