MigrantoCost of living in Spain
Average monthly spending, by standard of living, by category, and against other countries
Monthly cost
€1,340
what a typical person spends
Spending by standard of living
€526richest 20%
€3,250
Spain runs on a big, varied economy where tourism and a lively service sector set a lot of the prices, especially along the coasts and in the major cities. Day to day it's livable rather than steep, with food and eating out staying reasonable — but the spread is wide: a comfortable life in Madrid or Barcelona and a thrifty one in a quiet inland town are worlds apart.
Where people spend money in Spain
The biggest claim on a month's money in Spain is housing, and in the popular cities that pressure is real. Eating out comes next, which says something about how life is lived here — meals with people are part of the rhythm, not a splurge — with groceries close behind. The roof over your head is fixed; how often you sit down at a restaurant is where you've got room to move.
Living-cost calculator
What it costs to live in Spain
Tell us what you earn and spend today — we'll estimate what the same lifestyle would cost in Spain and how much you could have left each month
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- How much could be left each month
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Cost of living in Spain
€526/mo
vs €692 in your country
Take-home
€1,010
vs €1,040 in your country
Potential savings
€487
more than in your country
Standard of living
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How living costs in Spain compare
Spain lands mid-table for Europe — well below the continent's expensive north, comfortably above its cheapest members. Against the rest of the world it still reads as pricey, and the reason it isn't higher is that pay and everyday prices run gentler than in Western Europe's wealthy core.
Data source: household consumption 2023 (World Bank), International Comparison Program 2021 (World Bank), category breakdown 2022 (Eurostat), adjusted to 2026 using IMF GDP-per-capita growth
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Frequently asked questions
What is the cost of living in Spain?
A typical person in Spain spends about €1,340 a month — around €16,100 a year — on housing, groceries, transport and other everyday costs. It's a nationwide average across different regions, cities and types of housing.
What is the cost of living in Spain in US dollars?
The cost of living in Spain is about $1,553 a month, or roughly $18,636 a year per person.
How much money do you need to live comfortably in Spain?
It all depends on your standard of living. A modest budget runs about €526 a month per person, a typical one around €1,340, and a comfortable life around €1,890. In big cities and for a family, costs are usually higher.
What do people spend the most on in Spain?
The biggest expense is housing, at about €299 a month (22% of spending). Then come dining out (€200, 15%) and groceries (€175, 13%).
Is the average salary in Spain enough to live on?
Yes, with room to spare. Average spending is about €1,340 a month, while the average take-home pay in Spain is about €1,980. For more on incomes, see salaries in Spain.
Is Spain an expensive country to live in?
Yes. Spain is more expensive than 84% of countries worldwide and ranks 19th of 41 in Europe by cost of living.
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Living in Spain
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