Cost of living in Alicante, Spain vs Iowa City, Iowa, United States
Currency:
Food | - 12% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Alicante (Spain) is 12% cheaper than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) | ||||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | €13 ($16) | $14 | + 18% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | €8 ($10) | $7 | + 43% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | €3.77 ($4.59) | $4.70 | - 2% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | €0.81 ($0.99) | $0.86 | + 15% | |
12 eggs, large | €2.09 ($2.54) | $2.37 | + 7% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | €1.61 ($1.96) | $4.43 | - 56% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | €5.93 ($7) | $8 | - 6% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | €1.56 ($1.90) | $3.06 | - 38% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | €1.14 ($1.39) | $1.56 | - 11% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | €0.75 ($0.91) | $2.81 | - 67% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | €5.23 ($6) | $13 | - 51% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | €1.28 ($1.55) | $1.84 | - 16% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | €0.90 ($1.10) | $1.66 | - 34% | |
Housing | - 33% | |||
Housing in Alicante (Spain) is 33% cheaper than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) | ||||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | €835 ($1,016) | $1,487 | - 32% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | €516 ($628) | $1,026 | - 39% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | €103 ($126) | $123 | + 2% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | €535 ($651) | $957 | - 32% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | €365 ($444) | $692 | - 36% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | €71 ($87) | $127 | - 32% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | €25 ($30) | $48 | - 36% | |
40” flat screen tv | €406 ($494) | $338 | + 46% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | €88 ($107) | $80 | + 34% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | €5.68 ($7) | $11 | - 39% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | €10 ($12) | $24 | - 48% | |
Clothes | + 52% | |||
Clothes in Alicante (Spain) is 52% more expensive than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) | ||||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | €87 ($106) | $49 | + 118% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | €39 ($48) | $33 | + 45% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | €84 ($102) | $82 | + 24% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | €84 ($102) | $101 | + 1% | |
Transportation | + 17% | |||
Transportation in Alicante (Spain) is 17% more expensive than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) | ||||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | €20,897 ($25,425) | $19,239 | + 32% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | €1.22 ($1.48) | $0.70 | + 112% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | €23 ($28) | $33 | - 15% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | €14 ($17) | $17 | + 5% | |
Personal Care | - 36% | |||
Personal Care in Alicante (Spain) is 36% cheaper than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) | ||||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | €5.00 ($6) | $7 | - 12% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | €3.77 ($4.59) | $21 | - 78% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | €43 ($53) | $95 | - 44% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | €3.93 ($4.79) | $6 | - 25% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | €3.06 ($3.72) | $3.01 | + 23% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | €3.21 ($3.91) | $5.65 | - 31% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | €1.19 ($1.44) | $3.19 | - 55% | |
Tube of toothpaste | €2.20 ($2.68) | $1.79 | + 50% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | €13 ($15) | $20 | - 24% | |
Entertainment | + 7% | |||
Entertainment in Alicante (Spain) is 7% more expensive than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) | ||||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | €35 ($42) | $34 | + 25% | |
2 tickets to the movies | €15 ($19) | $19 | - 4% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | €54 ($65) | $95 | - 31% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | €43 ($52) | $67 | - 22% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | €7 ($9) | $7 | + 29% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | €2.65 ($3.23) | $3.83 | - 16% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | €3.65 ($4.44) | $4.40 | + 1% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | €431 ($524) | $430 | + 22% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | €0.17 ($0.20) | $0.21 | - 1% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | €51 ($61) | $43 | + 43% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | €5.26 ($6) | $7 | - 11% | |
TOTAL | - 10% |

These prices were last updated on February 27, 2021.
Exchange rate:
1.217
USD
/
EUR
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Cost of living in Alicante (Spain) is 10% cheaper than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States)
For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require $4,600 in Iowa City, Iowa you would need to make just about $4,123 (€3,389) in Alicante.
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