v256.0 · cost of living · ES · verified 2026-04
Spain cost of living
Cost-of-living breakdown for Spain — rent in capital + secondary cities, groceries, dining, public transport, utilities, internet, gym, healthcare, schools. Includes USA + UK cost comparison, currency stability, and recent inflation.
Overview
Quality-of-life leader for the cost · Madrid + Barcelona moderately priced for European capitals · Provincial cities very affordable · Coastal Mediterranean premium for foreigners
Rent — capital + secondary cities (EUR)
| 1-bed centre | Madrid: EUR 1,200-1,900/month · Barcelona: EUR 1,100-1,800 · Valencia: EUR 700-1,200 · Seville: EUR 650-1,000 · Málaga: EUR 800-1,300 |
| 1-bed outskirts | Madrid: EUR 750-1,200 · Barcelona: EUR 750-1,200 · Valencia: EUR 500-800 · Bilbao: EUR 600-950 · Granada: EUR 450-700 |
| 3-bed family | Madrid: EUR 1,800-3,500 · Barcelona: EUR 1,700-3,200 · Valencia: EUR 1,100-2,000 · Seville: EUR 1,000-1,800 |
Groceries + dining
| Groceries (per person/month) | EUR 180-320 typical single · Mercadona + Carrefour + Lidl + Aldi · Mercados locales fresh · Tapas culture lowers eating-at-home pressure |
| Dining out | Menu del día (lunch): EUR 12-18 · Tapa: EUR 2-5 each · Mid-tier dinner: EUR 20-35/person · Fine dining: EUR 60-120/person · Café cortado: EUR 1.20-1.80 · Caña beer: EUR 1.50-3.00 · Wine in bar: EUR 2-4/glass |
Transport + utilities + internet
| Public transport + commuting | Madrid Metro 10-trip Metrobús: EUR 12.20 (capped) · Monthly transport pass (all zones Madrid): EUR 55 · Barcelona T-mes integrated: EUR 80 · AVE Madrid-Barcelona: EUR 60-130 · Taxi base: EUR 3.50 |
| Utilities + internet | Electricity + water + gas 90sqm apt: EUR 100-180/month (winter higher) · Internet fiber 500 Mbps: EUR 30-45/month (Movistar, Vodafone, Orange) · Mobile 50 GB: EUR 15-25/month |
Gym + healthcare + schools
Gym: EUR 30-60/month (Basic-Fit, Altafit, Anytime Fitness) · Sanitas private health insurance: EUR 50-120/month adult · Sistema Nacional de Salud (SNS) free with residence · International schools EUR 8,000-30,000/year
Cost compared (relative)
| vs USA | ~50-65% of US cost (NYC/SF baseline) · Madrid rent 45-55% lower · Groceries 30-40% lower · Dining 50-60% lower · Healthcare 75%+ lower |
| vs UK | ~60-75% of UK cost (London baseline) |
Currency + inflation
| Currency stability | EUR stable · No FX risk for EUR residents · Stable inflation 2024-25 |
| Recent inflation | 2022 peak 10.8% · 2023 declined to 3.4% · 2024 ~3.2% · 2025 ~2.5% · Energy regulated · Housing inflation outpacing general CPI in major cities |
Source: official Spain statistics office · Last verified 2026-04
See also: Spain country profile · cost-of-living atlas