The cost of living in Spain in 2026

If you're thinking of moving to Spain, you need to know the real costs. Now, according to official numbers, the average cost of living in Spain is €1,150 per month. But what they don't tell you is that your cost of living can vary widely depending on where you are within the country — by hundreds or even thousands of euros.

So, in this news, we're going to be sharing with you the real cost of living in Spain in different regions. We'll be covering the top budget categories, from health care to housing, and you'll also hear from real people who are currently living here.

First things first: housing. Now, this is going to be your biggest expense regardless of where you live in the country, but the prices vary dramatically. We have a friend who lives in the center of Madrid in one of the nicest neighborhoods, and he pays €1,250 per month for an unfurnished studio, although it does have amenities like 24/7 security and a pool.

We have two friends living in Valencia, and they have a furnished two-bedroom property in the center for €1,500 per month. And then my clients who live here in Acarunia spend €1,000 per month for a furnished five-bedroom apartment, although they have said that prices have gone up in the past year since they moved in.

So, you could easily be looking at around €1,000 per month for rent, especially if you're in one of the city centers around the country. But if you'd like to get a little bit on the outskirts of the city, you can get your rent down below €1,000 per month. €850 is about the average around the country.

But if you're in some of the smaller towns like Mercuria or Caseres, you can find prices from €450 to €600 per month. So the big tip here is: if you're moving to Spain for the first time, you'll want to get a short-term rental so you can see properties in person before committing to a long-term lease.

You will be able to get those lower prices the longer you stay, especially if you're open to an unfurnished rental. Also, wherever you're renting, ask if there are any utilities included, because that's going to be your next expense.

Utilities in Spain can be pretty reasonable compared to what you're used to back home.There’s one thing that can wreck your budget, and that is climate control. When two of my friends moved to Spain last year, their first utility bill was more than €250, and that was because of heating costs. The same goes for air conditioning in the summer.

So, if you're moving to Spain, keep your climate control usage in mind. Too much heating or too much AC can give you a nasty surprise at the end of the month.

After budgeting for electricity, the other utilities in Spain are quite affordable. For high-speed internet — from 500 Mbps to 1 gig download speeds — you're looking at around €20 to €30, maybe €40 per month. Your cell phone plan could be as low as €15, €20, or €30 per month. Water and gas usually cost about €20 per month each.

Food is where Spain absolutely shines. The food not only tastes incredible, but it's also incredibly affordable, whether you're eating out or buying groceries. One of my friends in Madrid almost had a heart attack when we told him how much we spend on groceries in the United States.

Here, you can budget anywhere from €50 to €100 per month. At local markets, your money goes a long way. Even grabbing a croissant or a baguette while out for a walk costs about €1.30. A kilo of fruit or vegetables usually runs between€1 and €3. A dozen eggs costs about €2.50, and a kilo of meat like chicken is around €7.

And of course, wine. A glass of wine at a restaurant costs about €4 or €5, and it's often the same price as buying a bottle at the grocery store.

Eating out varies widely depending on whether you're at a casual or upscale restaurant and where you are in Spain. Prices are generally lower in smaller towns than in city centers like Madrid. Coffee, juice, wine, or beer might cost €2 in one area and €4 or €5 somewhere else.

One dinner for four people — including multiple drinks, coffees, teas, water, and tax and tip — came to €69.50. Lunch the next day was similar, around €60 for four people with main plates and appetizers.

As Julian and Spencer mentioned, when they go out together, they usually spend about €30 total. Wine costs roughly the same as coffee or water, so it all checks out.

Transportation in Spain is excellent. The country has some of the best public transportation in the world, so you don’t need a car or to pass a driving exam. You can easily get around using buses, trains, and bicycles. Bike-sharing programs cost about €50 per year.

One of my friends in Akarunia only spent €10 on public transportation in an entire year because he mostly walked or biked and only used the bus when it rained. Bus rides can be as low as €0.40 with a transit pass, though in many areas fares are €1.30, €1.50, or €2.

Train tickets should be booked in advance — otherwise, you could pay €30 instead of €150. Gas costs about €1.50 per liter, roughly three liters per gallon. Ride-sharing apps like Uber, taxis, and Bolt are widely available, with fares starting around €4 or €5, though prices increase during peak hours.

Spain also has one of the best healthcare systems in Europe. Healthcare is free for residents and citizens. You can choose public healthcare or private healthcare, which costs about €50 to €100 per month. Paying out of pocket for a doctor or dentist visit typically costs €40 to €50.

Other services are affordable too: gym memberships cost €20 to €35 per month, massages or facials cost €20 to €35, and haircuts can be as low as €7 to €10 for men, though women’s cuts can cost more, especially with coloring.

Entertainment is affordable, with many museums offering free entry days. Ticketed attractions cost €20 to €30, and beaches are free. Festivals and events happen year-round. Before we wrap up, here are five money-saving tips if you're moving to Spain:

Choose your location wisely — smaller towns offer the same quality of life for half the cost.

1. Shop at affordable supermarkets or outdoor markets.
2. Eat the Menu del Día for lunch — often €10 to €15 for three courses.
3. Skip owning a car and use public transportation.
4. Rent outside city centers and consider unfurnished rentals.