Cost of Living in Spain

RESTAURANTS

When you eat out, always look for “Menú del día” (workdays lunch) which can be from 9 to 15$.

It’s usually good value and the meals are delicious.

Fast food is not yet established and you will find McDonald’s and Burger King only in major towns in the usual places.

The Spanish beer is not too bad and well worth a try, costing around 2.68$ which is reasonable.

American franchises generally charge higher prices than in the United States.

MARKETS

This is very variable and it depends a lot on your food habits.

Fruits and vegetables are cheaper than in a lot of other countries, and so are meat and poultry.

Dairy products are more expensive (than in France or the UK) and ready-cooked meals are of the same price as in other countries, so it’s a wise decision to save the money to eat out just a tad more often.

TRANSPORTATION

The price and function of public transportation will depend on where you are.

In major cities like Madrid or Barcelona and in mid-sized ones like San Sebastian, driving a car is both expensive and nerve-wracking.

Gasoline is relatively inexpensive compared to other countries in the EU, costing around 1.78$.

All the major cities in Spain are served by taxis, which are convenient, though somewhat expensive.

UTILITIES (MONTHLY)

Utilities are somewhat expensive in Spain.

The utilities there amount to 138$ a month for basic ones like electricity, water, cooling, heating and garbage services.

The Internet remains pricey costing around 37$ a month.

You cannot get staggeringly cheap mobile contracts, but something along the lines of 25$ a month can be found.

SPORTS & LEISURE

Spain has 2 contrasting landscapes: the mountainous Pyrenees and the Mediterranean Costa Brava, so in some regions and cities it’s actually great to practice sports outside and save some money you’d otherwise spend on a gym.

However, if a gym or a fitness club is what you want, a membership will cost you around 40$ a month.

CLOTHING & SHOES

As on average, clothes are a tad more expensive in Spain than in the UK.

For example, Levi’s costs about $80.

You can buy simpler pieces of clothing like shirts or summer dresses at mass chain stores for prices of around 31$ as well.

Spain is also brimming with the usual clothing brands like Zara, Bershka, and other shops.

RENT PER MONTH

Renting prices truly depends on where you want to live.

It can be as “cheap” as renting a room for about 350$ a month or a full apartment for about 750$ a month.

Some neighborhoods are extremely expensive (around 1100$ a month) and some others might be more affordable (400$ a month in Viladecans, near the airport).

HEALTHCARE

Spain has universal public healthcare funded through taxes, with optional private insurance costing around 40 to 100 USD per month.

Out-of-pocket expenses average roughly 400 to 700 USD per person per year, mainly for medications, dental care, and private services.

With average monthly salaries of 2,200 to 2,500 USD, healthcare costs are affordable.

EDUCATION

Public primary and secondary schools are tuition-free, though families pay for books, uniforms, and school materials, typically $200 to $500 per year.

Private schools charge $6,000 to $15,000 per year.

Public universities charge low tuition, about $1,500 to $3,000 annually, while private universities can cost $5,000 to $12,000 per year.

Students also pay for housing, food, transport, and textbooks.

Average monthly income is about $2,500, making public education affordable, while private schooling and university expenses are a notable portion of income.