Moving to Spain from the US? Probably 90% of expats have the same first question: Will it cost me more or less to live there?

Spain and the United States are great places to live. But the cost of living there is very different.

We break this difference down into eight categories. You can use your own life as a guide to just how much money a move to Spain might save you.

And we start with the simplest category: the overall cost of living.

1. The Simple Answer

Monthly Expenses (Single Person)

  • Spain: ~$900–$1,300
  • United States: ~$2,300–$2,600

 

Monthly Expenses (Family of Four)

  • Spain: ~$2,600–$3,300
  • United States: ~$5,000–$6,000

 

In most Spanish cities, your cost of living will come in around 40% to 50% cheaper than their US counterparts.

Although, to be fair, finding exact counterparts isn’t always straightforward. But Spanish coastal hubs like Barcelona or Valencia are going to be much pricier than smaller, inland towns. Even so, they generally still fall below the costs seen in major American metros like New York, San Francisco, or Boston.

Takeaways

  • Spain’s overall lower cost of living is appealing to expats, especially those who bring in salaries or pensions from abroad.
  • If you’re working in Spain on local wages, you’ll still experience day-to-day savings, but keep in mind that salaries reflect the reduced cost base (more on that later).

2. Housing and Utilities

After general cost of living concerns, we turn to housing: the single biggest monthly spend in most budgets. In Spain, rents can vary widely by region, but overall they remain lower than in the United States—especially when you look beyond Madrid and Barcelona’s city centers.

 

Expense Spain United States
One-Bedroom Rent (City Center) $600–$900/month $1,400–$1,800/month
One-Bedroom Rent (Outside Ctr) $450–$700/month $1,000–$1,400/month
Three-Bedroom (City Center) $1,000–$1,500/month $2,200–$2,700/month
Utilities (for 85 m² Apt) $100–$150/month $150–$200/month

Takeaways

  • In general, you’ll pay substantially less for rent in Spain than in large American cities. The most expensive Spanish cities—Madrid, Barcelona—still undercut many top-tier US metros.
  • Utility bills (covering electricity, heating, cooling, water, and trash services) are often comparable or slightly lower in Spain. The country’s moderate climate helps limit extreme heating or cooling needs in many regions. But that could change in years to come.

3. Food and Groceries

One of Spain’s greatest draws is its cuisine. Americans moving to Spain or spending extended time there are often pleasantly surprised at how affordable it can be to shop for groceries and local products.

 

Grocery Item Spain United States
Milk (1 L) $0.80–$1.10 $0.90–$1.10
Loaf of Bread $1.00–$1.50 $2.00–$3.50
Rice (1 kg) $1.50–$2.00 $3.00–$4.00
Chicken Breast (1 kg) $5.00–$7.00 $9.00–$12.00
Apples (1 kg) $1.20–$2.00 $2.50–$4.00
Tomatoes (1 kg) $1.50–$2.50 $3.00–$5.00

Takeaways

  • Fresh produce is often less expensive in Spain..
  • Specialty and imported items can cost more, so if you love certain American products, you may pay a premium at Spanish grocery stores.

4. Dining Out

Restaurants are affordable in Spain—especially at lunchtime, when many places offer discounted “menú del día” (set menus).

 

Dining Out Spain United States
Inexpensive Lunch $8–$12 $15–$20
Mid-range Dinner for Two $35–$50 $60–$75
Fast Food Combo $6–$8 $8–$10
Domestic Beer (0.5 L) $2.00–$3.50 $4.00–$6.00
Cappuccino $1.50–$2.50 $3.00–$5.00

Takeaways

  • Dining out in Spain is generally cheaper than in the US. Even in larger cities like Madrid, you’ll find fairly budget-friendly tapas bars and wine bodegas.
  • Nightlife in major Spanish cities can remain affordable compared to big US urban centers—though tourist-heavy zones may inflate prices during peak season.

5. Transportation

This is the one category where the US might be cheaper than Spain, depending on how you live. EU fuel taxes make Spanish gasoline very expensive, so if you are relying on a lot of car travel, your life will cost more. Spain offsets this with cheap and reliable public transit—but that ends up being a lifestyle question.

 

Transportation Spain United States
One-Way Local Ticket $1.50–$2.00 $2.50–$3.00
Monthly Transport Pass $40–$60 $60–$100
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) $3.00–$3.50 $3.00–$5.00
Gasoline (1 L) $1.60–$1.80 $0.80–$1.20

Takeaways

  • If you live in Madrid, Barcelona, or Valencia, you’ll likely find relatively cheap public transit options.
  • EU fuel taxes mean gasoline prices are much higher in Spain. But you’ll also likely live in a more walkable city.

6. Healthcare

Spain has extremely affordable healthcare through Sistema Nacional de Salud. For Americans, healthcare savings are often the most remarkable drop in the cost of living.

 

Healthcare Spain United States
Short Private Doctor’s Visit $50–$80 $150–$200+
Prescription Antibiotics (per box) $10–$15 $20–$30+
Basic Health Insurance (monthly) $40–$100 (private supplement) $300–$600+ (private coverage)

Takeaways

  • Spain’s universal healthcare means radically reduced cost at point of service.
  • Private health insurance is also relatively affordable. Some prefer this option because it can reduce wait times, even if it increases cost.

7. Salaries and Purchasing Power

If you earn a wage in Spain, this difference will eat up some of your savings on the cost of living.

 

Indicator Spain United States
Average Monthly Salary (Net) $1,300–$1,600 $3,800–$4,400+
GDP per Capita ~$29,000–$32,000 ~$60,000–$70,000+
Months Covered by Salary (Single) ~1.0–1.2 months* ~1.6–2.0 months*

*Approximate measure of how many months of typical living expenses a single salary can cover.

Takeaways

  • Remote workers or expats bringing in US-level incomes will generally thrive in Spain.
  • The lower cost of living also means lower local wages and salaries. Balancing these is key to determining whether Spain truly feels “cheaper” to you.

8. Childcare and Education

Both childcare and education are much cheaper in Spain. There’s really no comparison here.

 

Expense Spain United States
Daycare/Preschool (Monthly) $300–$500 $800–$1,300
International Primary School (Yearly) $4,000–$8,000 $12,000–$20,000+

Takeaways

  • Families moving with young children enjoy cheaper childcare and lower-priced international schooling options in Spain.
  • Spanish public schools are widely available.

The Winner? Spain Is Significantly More Affordable Than the USA

You’ll need to figure out the specifics based on the details of your life. But it’s clear when looking through the eight factors above that Spain has a much lower cost of living than the USA.