What is the true cost of living in Spain today?
Spain is one of the most picturesque and historic spots in Europe.
From the lapping shores of Andalusia to the shipyards of the Basque Country, Spain has many autonomous regions with their own unique Spanish spin.
Table of Contents
Cost of Living in Spain
Vigo, Bilbao, Barcelona, Valencia, Malaga, Seville and Madrid.
All of these cities have their own identity, their own voice. However, we want to find out the medians and averages for Spain as a whole.
How expensive is Spain for an expat?
Are the houses expensive? Is youth unemployment still an issue post-COVID? We’re about to find out!
Living in Spain
One of the most popular countries in Europe for tourism is also a brilliant place to decide to retire to or become an expat in.
It doesn’t have to be for the unique tapas culture or the Costa Blanca. Many flock here for work, or even for just the cheap houses.
Is Spain Expensive?
According to numbeo.com, the average living costs in Spain are lower than you’d expect for a major EU country.
In terms of overall costs, it’s a cheaper country to live in than the UK. The further south you travel (by city, not region), the cheaper the prices are.
Here are some of the figures collected from numbeo:
- Family of four estimated monthly costs are 1,855.73£ (2,159.98€) without rent.
- A single person estimated monthly costs are 526.13£ (612.39€) without rent.
- Cost of living in Spain is, on average, 19.55% lower than in United Kingdom.
- Rent in Spain is, on average, 29.53% lower than in United Kingdom.
Also according to numbeo, Madrid has lower living costs than most North American cities. By North American cities, we mean the likes of Buffalo, NY and Omaha, NE.
For Spain’s largest city, Americans will be taken aback as to just how affordable the whole country is.
Average Salary in Spain
We consulted our trusted source in the world of median salaries, Salary Explorer, to see what they had to say on the matter:
“A person working in Spain typically earns around 2,710 EUR per month. Salaries range from 830 EUR (lowest average) to 11,400 EUR (highest average, actual maximum salary is higher). This is the average monthly salary including housing, transport, and other benefits. Salaries vary drastically between different careers. The median salary is 2,720 EUR per month, which means that half (50%) of the population are earning less than 2,720 EUR while the other half are earning more than 2,720 EUR. The median represents the middle salary value.”
This means that the average annual salary for someone living in Spain is just shy of $40k a year, which isn’t that bad when you consider the number of financial and economic crises the country has seen.
House Prices in Spain
The Pre-COVID house market in Spain saw an steady increase in value, but whether the increase will resume in 2021 remains to be seen.
According to spainhouses.net:
“The average price for properties in Spain to 15/06/2021 was 470,094 € based on 94,537 properties. The areas with the lowest prices in Spain are Estremadura and Rioja, with an average price of 106,940 € and 122,283 €, respectively.”
Average prices for houses can be misleading, since medians typically give the more accurate account of house shopping experiences.
However, the average in square metres is still useful for those looking to purchase apartments.
The average price per square metre is 1,679 €, which is considerably cheaper than the average square metre price in London: 9,400 €.
Where to Live in Spain
With so many cool cities and rustic towns in Spain we have decided to list some of the hippest and most popular with expats below:
Madrid
Naturally, where else would we begin but Spain’s capital and the largest city Madrid. Right in the middle of the country, Madrid is a hub of culture, business, and nightlife.
Attractions that pull in tourists include the famous Gran Via, the El Rastro market, and the Templo de Debod.
As well as historical and architectural sites such as the Royal Palace.
In reality, other cities like Barcelona or San Sebastian are equal if not more expensive.
Madrid is cheap in comparison to other Spanish cities, yet it does clearly provide excellent quality of life.
In terms of the number of expats that live in Madrid, figures show that there’s a high concentration.
Barcelona
If you think of the main cities in Spain, especially in accordance with successful football teams, Barcelona is probably somewhere near the top of that list.
This city has always been hugely popular with tourists due to its generally warmer weather, position on the coast, and incredible attractions.
The city holds a number of gems such as the world-famous Sagrada Familia, Park Güell, and La Rambla. See this 3 day Barcelona itinerary for more.
Barcelona is found within Catalonia, an area with a unique culture in Spain that many believe should be a separate sovereign state to Spain.
Alicante
One of the most popular areas for Brits and Irish to move to is the city and surrounding area of Alicante in the south of Spain.
This is likely due to the more affordable living costs and the evergreen weather.
The city is famed for its stunning palm tree flanked boulevards and shopping streets, along with the best Paella in the world.
Further reading on moving to Spain:
- Moon Living : Abroad in Spain.
- Dancing In The Fountain: How to Enjoy Living Abroad.
- The Reluctant Expat: Surprised by Spain.
Cost of Living Spain vs. USA
Spain we know to be great. But what about compared with the States?
America has in many ways a similar climate and amalgam of cultures as Spain but is supposed to be a lot more expensive than Spain. Especially when comparing city living expenses. Let’s find out, shall we?
Is Madrid A Good Place To Live?
Madrid is one of the best places to live in Spain for many reasons. It’s a dynamic, international city with a thriving work culture.
As a city, it is constantly reinventing itself and perfecting its already impressive skyline with new additions.
If you are looking for a cultural but modern city with an international scene and plenty of entertainment, then Madrid is the place for you to find yourself.
To live in Madrid is to live in a modern, sprawling city but with a charm unmatched by any other city. The people, known locally as Madrilenos, are welcoming and open.
Cost of Living in Madrid
According to numbeo.com, Madrid is considerably cheaper than an American city when it comes to day-to-day expenses as well as rent and property prices.
This is surprising since American cities tend to have new-builds rather than the classic Spanish townhouses.
This makes Madrid a serious contender if you’re looking for the ideal place to live since there are guaranteed perfect weather and incredible culture.
Here are some figures provided by numbeo.com:
- “Consumer Prices in Madrid are 8.90% lower than in Omaha, NE (without rent)
- Consumer Prices Including Rent in Madrid are 3.21% lower than in Omaha, NE
- Rent Prices in Madrid are 11.90% higher than in Omaha, NE
- Restaurant Prices in Madrid are 0.27% lower than in Omaha, NE
- Groceries Prices in Madrid are 22.79% lower than in Omaha, NE”
House prices in Madrid
According to this article by Brainsre, the property prices in Madrid have soared in recent years.
“House Prices in Madrid Rise by More Than 45% in Five Years.
The average home cost 295,927 euros in the Spanish capital at the end of March, compared to 165,280 euros on average in Spain.”
“During the first quarter of 2020 and fifteen days into the lockdown to curb the spread of coronavirus, the average house price in Spain stood at 1,747 euros per square meter and the average ticket paid per home was 165,280 euros.”
Living In Spain Vs USA Pros And Cons
So, what are the pro and cons of living in Spain compared with the USA once we have digested all this useful data?
Let’s take all this information and put it in a nutshell:
Living in Madrid Pros
- Incredible public transport, which is cheap too!
- Retained a lot of its history, more than most cities.
- Low cost of living yet the food is still amazing.
Living in Madrid Cons
- Work culture expects you to stay in the office into the night.
- Salaries are quite low.
- The nightlife can get a bit rowdy and cause a lot of noise pollution.
Living in United States Pros
- Starting a business is extremely easy.
- Extremely diverse, with hundreds of nationalities represented.
- Tax isn’t as scalping as countries in Europe.
Living in United States Cons
- Health insurance. That’s all we’ll say..
- Everything, including the news, is political in nature..
- The legal system is almost designed to be slow.
Cost of Living in Spain: Final Words
Our verdict is that Spain is well worth the cheap prices if you’re looking for somewhere to retire.
But if you are offered a job in America, grab it with both hands and you’ll never regret it.
What are your thoughts? It is worth booking your initial sightseeing trip to Spain first before committing to the big move!
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