Guides

Cost of living

What a month in Spain costs, city by city.

• Cost of Living in Spain 2026: Rent and Monthly Budgets by City

  A single person needs about €1,700 to €2,300 a month in Spain's big cities and a couple €2,800 to €3,700, once you add rent to INE spending data.

• Cost of Living in Spain vs the USA 2026: Rent, Food, Transport

  Spending data from the BLS and INE shows what a person spends on food, transport and health in the US and Spain, with rent compared on its own terms.

• Cost of Living in Spain vs the UK 2026: Rent, Food, Transport

  ONS and INE spending data side by side: UK private rent averages £1,400 a month (about €1,650), and a single adult spends far more on transport and eating out.

• Cost of Living in Valencia 2026: Rent and Monthly Budget

  Valencia costs about €1,805 a month for one person and €2,958 for a couple at September 2026 asking rents. See the rent math and visa income comparison.

• Cost of Living in Madrid 2026: Rent and Monthly Budget

  Madrid costs about €2,314 a month for one person and €3,693 for a couple at September 2026 asking rents. Rent math and visa income comparison.

• Cost of Living in Barcelona 2026: Rent and Monthly Budget

  Barcelona costs about €2,075 a month for one person and €3,345 for a couple at September 2026 asking rents. Rent math and visa income comparison.

• Cost of Living in Málaga 2026: Rent and Monthly Budget

  Málaga costs about €1,730 a month for one person and €2,800 for a couple at September 2026 asking rents. See the rent math and visa income comparison.

• Cost of Living in Alicante 2026: Rent and Monthly Budget

  Alicante costs about €1,661 a month for one person and €2,767 for a couple at September 2026 asking rents. See the rent math and visa income comparison.

• Best Places to Retire in Spain 2026: Cost and Climate Compared

  Compare Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Málaga and Alicante for retirement: monthly budget for a couple plus AEMET sunshine and temperature data.

• Cost of Living Spain vs Portugal 2026: Rent and Spending Compared

  Official figures put Portuguese contract rents and everyday spending below Spain's. What the numbers show, and why the rent figures are not like for like.