Cost of Living in Spain: Updated Prices, Other Countries Comparison

Spain is famous worldwide for its love of football, stunning beaches, delicious cuisine, and rich culture. If you are planning to study in Spain, you should plan a budget to manage your cost of living in Spain effectively. The average cost of living in Spain is around EUR 703 per person without rent, which is 2.17 times higher than the world average. Spain holds 41st rank out of 197 countries by cost of living.

If you plan to move to Spain, this blog will provide details about the cost of living in Spain for single person, in various parameters such as education costs, housing rent, grocery costs, monthly transportation costs, utilities costs, and many others. In this blog, we’ll explore the cost of living in Spain, for various categories in detail. So, let’s dive into the discussion without further delay:

Overview of Cost of Living in Spain

The average cost of living in Spain per month is around EUR 711 per person, excluding the rent. If we consider, the rent for a one-room apartment, it ranges from EUR 726 to EUR 1500 per month. Food expenses are about EUR 364 per month, and transportation costs are around EUR 80.4 per month. The cost of living in Spain is 1.32 times more expensive than the world’s average cost of living for a single person.

Spain is positioned 38th out of 197 countries for its cost of living. If you’re considering moving to Spain for higher education, it’s important to stay informed about the latest updates on the cost of living in Spain. Here, we have given the overview of the general breakdown of the average updated cost of living in Spain in different categories:

Categories	Approx Cost for one Person
Cost of living (Per month)	EUR 711
Cost of Rent (Per month)	EUR 726 to EUR 1500
Cost of Basic Utilities (Per month)	EUR 133
Cost of Grocery	EUR 63
Cost of Food (Inexpensive Restaurant)	EUR 12.50
Cost of Transportation (Per month)	EUR 30

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Cost of Dining in Spain

The cost of food for one month for one person in Spain is approximately EUR 364. You can estimate that a meal budget for 2 people at a mid-range restaurant is around EUR 50 per meal, which will not affect the cost of living in Spain that much. Restaurants in Spain offer a culinary adventure with a variety of seafood options at an affordable budget.

Eating out regularly can disturb the average cost of living in Spain for Indian students. Consequently, cooking at home is often a more economical choice. In the table below, we have demonstrated the average restaurant costs you can pay in the country:

Type of Restaurant	Approx Cost of Meal in Restaurant
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant	EUR 12
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course	EUR 50
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)	EUR 9
Cappuccino (regular)	EUR 1.90

Cost of Grocery in Spain

Dining out in restaurants in Spain can be expensive for a student. Cooking at home is a better idea and if we check the expenses on groceries then the average cost of groceries in Spain is around EUR 63 per month, including meals, milk, water, vegetables, fruits and other items.

Moreover, grocery costs can impact the cost of living in Spain as it is a daily expense and, its costs may vary according to season, availability, quality and quantity. Below is the list of a few grocery items with their costs available in Spain:

Grocery Item	Price
Milk (regular), (1 litre)	EUR 1.04
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)	EUR 1.30
Rice (white), (1kg)	EUR 1.31
Eggs (regular) (12)	EUR 2.44
Apples (1kg)	EUR 1.98
Banana (1kg)	EUR 1.68
Oranges (1kg)	EUR 1.69
Tomato (1kg)	EUR 2.25
Potato (1kg)	EUR 1.44
Onion (1kg)	EUR 1.57
Lettuce (1 head)	EUR 1.04
Water (1.5 liter bottle)	EUR 0.64
meat, egg, drinks and Other items	EUR 44

Cost of Housing Rentin Spain

For accommodation in Spain, your budget should be EUR 726-1500 per month for a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre. Moreover, it depends on the budget and lifestyle a person follows. Housing rent is a major part of the cost of living in Spain for a single person. That’s why, before moving to Spain, it is essential to do thorough research and compare apartment rents for different areas to make sure they meet your needs and budget.

However, the overall housing expenses in Spain vary based on factors like the apartment’s location, size and how far it is from the University. For your reference in the table below we have given apartment rent in Spain in different areas:

Apartment Location	Average Cost
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre	EUR 972
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre	EUR 726
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre	EUR 1,563
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre	EUR 1,087

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Cost of Utilities in Spain

The Basic Utility Cost in Spain is around EUR 133 per month for a single person, which is relatively low from the cost of living in Spain. Basic utility costs in Spain include electricity, heating, water, garbage bills, etc. These costs vary with the size of the home and seasonal usage.

For your reference, we have given the Cost of utilities in Spain for immigrant students in the country. Please have a look and plan your budget accordingly:

Utility Type	Monthly Average Cost
Basic Utility for 85m2 Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage)	EUR 133
Monthly Plan of Mobile Phone(with Calls & 10GB+ Data)	EUR 18
Internet (60+ Mbps, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)	EUR 31
hourly rate for cleaning help	EUR 11

Cost of Apparel in Spain

Basic apparel products like pants and t-shirts are often affordable in Spain, but designer or premium brands might cost more and can affect the cost of living in Spain. For your reference we have given the average costs of apparel in Spain in the table below:

Clothes Items	Average Cost
1 pair of jeans	EUR 75
1 summer dress in a high street store	EUR 30
1 pair of sport shoes	EUR 77
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes	EUR 90

Cost of Transportation in Spain

Spain has an amazing public transportation system facilitated by trains, trams, buses, cars, metro, etc. Transport costs depend on the type of service you prefer and the distance you travel.

However, transportation costs in Spain contribute around EUR 33 per month for local city transport and this cost is already included in the overall cost of living in Spain per month. Here are various modes of transportation with their fare costs:

Items	Average Cost
1 litre of Gasoline	EUR 1.60
Monthly ticket public transport	EUR 33
One-way Ticket (Local Transport)	EUR 1.21
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)	EUR 3.50
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)	EUR 1.21

Cost of Personal Care in Spain

The cost of personal care in Spain includes cold medicine, antibiotics, deodorant, toilet paper, toothpaste, and a haircut. It can cost around EUR 40 per person. The cost of personal care in Spain can vary depending on the quality of the product, the location and the level of service you are seeking. For your reference we have given a few personal care items with their costs:

Personal CareItems	Average Cost
Cold medicine for 7 days	EUR 8
1 box of antibiotics	EUR 8
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.)	EUR 2.48
4 rolls of toilet paper	EUR 1.92
Tube of toothpaste	EUR 1.91
Standard men’s haircut	EUR 13.6
Doctor’s visit	EUR 62.1

Cost of Entertainment in Spain

Entertainment in Spain offers a wide range of options to suit various budgets, from enjoying the vibrant nightlife to exploring cultural and recreational activities. The cost of entertainment in Spain is around EUR 50 – EUR 100 per month for cinemas, concerts, etc. Here, we have given various costs of entertainment in Spain:

EntertainmentItems	Average Cost
A basic dinner out for two in a neighbourhood pub	EUR 32
1 ticket to the movie	EUR 8
2 tickets to the theatre	EUR 52
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult	EUR 39

Please be mindful that excessive spending on entertainment can significantly impact your cost of living and overall budget in Spain. It is wise to limit spending on entertainment.

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Average Tuition Fee in Spain

Spain offers a relatively affordable cost of living compared to many other European countries, especially in smaller cities and rural areas. Its high-quality education, and advanced programs, along with an affordable cost of living and lower tuition fees compared to other countries, make Spain an attractive destination for students.

The tuition fee differs depending on the duration of the program and the type of program. Some of the private universities in Spain set their own fee structure which is as high as EUR 20,000. Here is the idea for the fee structure of Spain’s Education:

Course Level	Average Cost of Program
Bachelors Programs	EUR 750 to EUR 2,500 per year
Master Program	EUR 1,000 to EUR 3,500 per year

Cost of Living in Spain Compared to Other Countries/Cities

Spain is a dream city for some students but be prepared for a cost of living that reflects its desirability. Compared to other countries Spain, is significantly affordable, Individuals need to thoroughly research the cost of living in nearby countries to determine how affordable it is to align their financial goals with their lifestyle in Spain.

For your reference, we have given the cost of living in Spain compared to other countries and cities like the USA, the UK, Germany, Canada, Portugal, Australia, Ireland, South Africa and California. So to give you an idea of ​​how affordable it is to live in Spain to pursue higher education compared to other cities. Please have a look:

Cost of living Country-Wise	Approx Costs	Comparison Cost of Living in Spain
Cost of Living in the USA	EUR 1075	Higher than Spain
Cost of Living in the UK	EUR 954	Higher than Spain
Cost of Living in Germany	EUR 980	Higher than Spain
Cost of Living in Canada	EUR 974	Higher than Spain
Cost of Living in Portugal	EUR 669	Lower than Spain
Cost of Living in Australia	EUR 1025	Higher than Spain
Cost of Living in Ireland	EUR 984	Higher than Spain
Cost of Living in South Africa	EUR 534	Lower than Spain
Cost of Living in California	EUR 1235	Higher than Spain
Cost of Living in India	EUR 316	Lower than Spain
Cost of Living in Madrid	EUR 815	Higher than average of Spain
Cost of Living in Barcelona	EUR 830	Higher than average in Spain

Why Study in Spain?

There are a lot of Benefits to studying in Spain which make you stand out in a crowd of students, and help students with various opportunities that help brighten their careers. Names of the top universities in Spain are:

• Pompeu Fabra University,
• Autonomous University of Barcelona,
• The University of Barcelona,
• Autonomous University of Madrid,
• University of Navarra,
• University of Valencia,
• Complutense University of Madrid,
• University of Rovira i Virgili,
• University of Alcala.

Here are a few points due to which these Spain universities are well-known:

• The education system is well-known and famous. That’s why Spain is a popular choice for international students, as an international student you can explore a variety of programs including Graduate, postgraduate and Doctoral Programs.
• Spain is a prominent destination for international students from all over the world due to its rich culture, pleasant temperature, opulent lifestyle, excellent higher education system, and exchange opportunities.
• One of the top subjects to study in Spain is computer science. The nation is well-known for having universities that can meet the academic needs of pupils
• Study abroad opportunities in Spain provide international students with a significantly lower cost of living than in other Western and European nations.

Things You Need to Know Before Moving to Spain

When thinking about moving, it’s crucial to pick a neighbourhood that fits your lifestyle and price range. Here are a few things that you need to consider before shifting to Spain:

• Spanish culture is rich in traditions, which have an impact on how the people of Spain go about their daily lives. This includes how they greet one another, how they go about dating, what they eat in different regions, and how they celebrate local holidays.
• Spanish, Catalan, Galician, and Basque are Spain’s four official languages. Spanish is the first or second language for 99% of people.
• Look into the city’s numerous neighbourhoods and whether they have strong public transit connections to find the perfect rental home.
• Its four seasons are separated by its climate. Maximum temperatures are achieved in the hot and dry months of July and August across the entire nation. The coldest temperatures take place in the north of Spain during the months of December, January, and February, which are also the months with the most rainfall.

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FAQs on Cost of Living in Spain

So, this was all about the cost of living in Spain. Many Indian students dream of pursuing education in foreign nations due to the exposure and career growth they offer. Consider joining a free counselling session with Leverage Edu if you plan to study abroad.