Valencia offers the finest of both worlds. The third-largest city in Spain offers urban conveniences while maintaining the charm of a tiny village. Doesn’t it sound like a dream? But, before you start packing, let us walk you through Valencia’s cost of living. From housing and utilities to food and recreation, I’ll present you with insights and recommendations to help you efficiently budget and assess the cost of living in Valencia. We have divided our blog on Valencia’s cost of living into various categories. Continue reading to learn how much (or how little) it costs to live in Valencia.
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Must Read: Cost of Living in Spain: A Guide
Why Choose Valencia to Study Abroad?
Do you need an excuse to study in Valencia? Valencia is home to several prominent universities. However, university life is not solely about studying, and there are numerous other factors that contribute to Valencia’s allure.
- Most Valencia students, particularly those residing near the University of Valencia, live within walking distance of the beach. There is no better location to unwind after a long day at university.
- Valencia is one of the most affordable cities in Spain (and Europe) for student housing. With rooms starting at just over 300 euros per month, average living costs for students here are much lower than in many other European destinations.
- Ciutat Vella, the city centre, is not only full of gorgeous historical landmarks and structures, but it also houses some of the city’s top bars, restaurants, and boutiques. Valencia offers various attractions that draw travellers from all over the world.
- When studying abroad, safety is a crucial factor to consider. Valencia has a current Numbeo Safety Index score of 74.38, placing it 55th out of 461 cities worldwide in terms of safety.
Must Read: Cost of Living in Madrid: A Guide
Cost of Living in Valencia
Now that you have ample reasons to choose Valencia as your study-abroad destination, here is the breakdown of the cost of living in Valencia (updated October 2023).
Accommodation/ Housing
Rent Per Month | Average Price |
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre | 874.42 € |
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre | 649.66 € |
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre | 1,411.32 € |
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre | 925.00 € |
Buy Apartment Price | Average Price |
The price per Square Meter to Buy an Apartment in the City Centre | 2,210.14 € |
Price per Square Meter to Buy an Apartment Outside of Centre | 1,280.24 € |
Food/ Restaurants
Restaurants | Average Price |
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant | 12.00 € |
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course | 41.00 € |
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal) | 8.00 € |
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught) | 2.50 € |
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) | 2.50 € |
Cappuccino (regular) | 1.75 € |
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle) | 1.57 € |
Water (0.33 liter bottle) | 1.24 € |
Markets | Average Price |
Milk (regular), (1 litre) | 1.01 € |
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) | 0.99 € |
Rice (white), (1kg) | 1.27 € |
Eggs (regular) (12) | 2.50 € |
Local Cheese (1kg) | 11.52 € |
Chicken Fillets (1kg) | 7.57 € |
Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) | 13.48 € |
Apples (1kg) | 1.99 € |
Banana (1kg) | 1.58 € |
Oranges (1kg) | 1.76 € |
Tomato (1kg) | 2.16 € |
Potato (1kg) | 1.55 € |
Onion (1kg) | 1.68 € |
Lettuce (1 head) | 1.13 € |
Water (1.5 liter bottle) | 0.58 € |
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | 5.00 € |
Utility Bills
Utilities (Monthly) | Average Price |
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment | 112.87 € |
Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data | 14.69 € |
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | 25.11 € |
Entertainment/ Recreation
Sports And Leisure | Average Price |
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | 35.62 € |
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend) | 9.59 € |
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat | 8.00 € |
Clothing And Shoes | Average Price |
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar) | 49.57 € |
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, …) | 23.95 € |
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) | 67.05 € |
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes | 74.14 € |
Transportation
Transportation | Average Price |
One-way Ticket (Local Transport) | 1.50 € |
Monthly Pass (Regular Price) | 30.00 € |
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) | 3.00 € |
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) | 1.00 € |
Taxi 1 hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) | 20.00 € |
Gasoline (1 litre) | 1.70 € |
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) | 27,000.00 € |
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car) | 24,875.00 € |
Must Read: Spain Study Visa for Indian Students [Updates 2023]
Minimum Amount of Money Needed to Live in Valencia
The amount of money needed to live comfortably in Valencia varies drastically from person to person. What defines a pleasant way of life is highly subjective.
As a general rule of thumb, if you’re renting, the more people living in an apartment, the lower the cost of living per person will be.
As a result, a single person covering the entire rent will almost certainly need to make more money than a couple living together and splitting household expenditures (rent, utilities, etc.).
So, omitting taxes, which are notoriously difficult to calculate, the cost of living in Valencia for two people is roughly €2,000. While the cost of living in Valencia for one person in a studio apartment is between €1,400 and €1,500.
Of course, this is a rough estimate, and particular circumstances might have a big impact on the required expenditure. Finally, while evaluating how much money you need to live comfortably in Valencia, you must evaluate your individual demands, lifestyle choices, and any other financial commitments you may have.
Must Read: Cost of Studying in Spain: Tuition Fees, Scholarships, Programmes
Average Tuition Fees in Valencia
Your tuition charge will be determined by the course type and university. Tuition prices differ depending on the subject and university. We are merely showing the average tuition fees in Valencia to give you a general idea. However, before applying, please confirm the fees with your university.
Undergraduate Tuition Fee | €6,000 – €15,000 / Year |
Post-Graduate Tuition Fee | €7,000 – €20,000 / Year |
Must Read: Top Universities in Spain for International Students
Things to Consider Before Moving to Valencia
If you’re thinking about moving to Valencia, this section will reveal important insights and things you wish you knew before settling into life in this exciting city.
The Language
Valencia is unlike Benidorm, where you can order your lunch (or full English breakfast) in pretty much any language, particularly English. People in Valencia speak Spanish (Castellano) and Valencian. There’s no need to spend hours learning Valencian, but you should grasp the essentials of Spanish before relocating to Valencia.
Must Read: Helpful Phrases to Learn Before You Study Abroad in Spain
Winter is Coming
Valencia’s winters are more colder than you may imagine. They are brief, but you will suffer during the months of December, January, and February. Even in the coldest months, temperatures never fall below six degrees Celsius at night and might reach 17-18 degrees Celsius during the day.
Choosing your ‘Home’
Choosing the proper apartment in Valencia is one of the most challenging problems you will face during the relocation process. Even if you know exactly where you want to live, you can still choose the wrong apartment. Our advice is to choose a furnished expat apartment for the first few months and then look for a long-term rental. Above all, avoid selecting an overly large apartment.
The Public Administration
It is advisable to utilize a relocation firm when relocating to Valencia. The first step is to open a bank account. Other administrative tasks await you: empadronamiento, center de salud, NIE certificate, residencia, and so on. Your nightmare in public administration has only just begun.
Even if you speak Spanish, you will sooner or later find yourself in a horror narrative. Expect the officials to be completely useless. They are understaffed and underpaid. You will not be sorry if you hire an expert to assist you with the paperwork.
Must Read: Spain vs Italy: Which is the Best Place for Studying Abroad?
The Culture
Living in Valencia means becoming acquainted with the Mediterranean way of life. Valencia’s daily life is shaped by the beach, the food, and the customs. It is helpful if you learn about the local culture and traditions so that you can better relate to and get to know your neighbours. For example, some of the popular festivals include Las Fallas, La Tomatina and Cabalgata de Los Reyes Magos.
Find a Job
Some of you may be fortunate enough to bring your work here. That’s fantastic. Remember that wages are substantially lower in Valencia than in many other countries and that costs are also cheaper. If you need to locate work, remember that knowing English (and another language, such as Dutch in my case) can be a huge help. Many multinational corporations are looking for people like you. You will see Valencia is more than only oranges and tourism.
Must Read: How to Get Part-Time Jobs in Spain as International Students
FAQs
Ans. The following is a summary of the cost of living in Valencia, Spain: Without rent, a family of four would spend $2,472.5$ (2,338.3€) each month. Without rent, a single person’s monthly costs are expected to be 697.2$ (659.4€).
Ans. You’d need roughly 3,253.6€ in Valencia to maintain the same level of living as you could in Barcelona with 4,000.0€ (assuming you rent in both cities).
Ans. Students studying in Valencia, Spain, will need about €1000 per month to meet their living expenses. Living expenses include things like food and drink, transportation, rent and entertainment.
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