Cost of living in United States compared to Spain
Currency:
| Food | + 41% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United States is 41% more expensive than in Spain | ||||
| United States | Spain | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $21 (€19) | €18 | + 3% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $12 (€10) | €10 | - 0% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $5.90 (€5.12) | €3.90 | + 31% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $1.09 (€0.95) | €1.04 | - 9% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $5.64 (€4.89) | €3.11 | + 58% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $4.83 (€4.19) | €2.13 | + 97% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $8 (€7) | €7 | - 11% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $4.22 (€3.66) | €2.02 | + 81% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $2.29 (€1.99) | €1.57 | + 26% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $3.82 (€3.32) | €1.16 | + 187% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $18 (€16) | €7 | + 125% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $2.97 (€2.57) | €2.04 | + 26% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $3.03 (€2.63) | €1.02 | + 157% | |
| Housing | + 94% | |||
| Housing in United States is 94% more expensive than in Spain | ||||
| United States | Spain | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $3,077 (€2,668) | €1,492 | + 79% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $2,368 (€2,054) | €1,020 | + 101% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $237 (€206) | €113 | + 82% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $2,237 (€1,940) | €982 | + 98% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $1,636 (€1,419) | €700 | + 103% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $171 (€148) | €83 | + 78% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $61 (€53) | €24 | + 119% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $251 (€218) | €322 | - 32% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $153 (€133) | €94 | + 41% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $16 (€14) | €7 | + 96% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $34 (€29) | €12 | + 138% | |
| Clothes | + 0% | |||
| Clothes in United States is about the same as in Spain | ||||
| United States | Spain | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $58 (€50) | €76 | - 33% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $50 (€43) | €35 | + 24% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $105 (€91) | €87 | + 5% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $142 (€123) | €89 | + 38% | |
| Transportation | + 58% | |||
| Transportation in United States is 58% more expensive than in Spain | ||||
| United States | Spain | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $30,884 (€26,780) | €26,727 | + 0% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $0.93 (€0.81) | €1.49 | - 46% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $85 (€73) | €28 | + 165% | |
| Personal Care | + 99% | |||
| Personal Care in United States is 99% more expensive than in Spain | ||||
| United States | Spain | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $10 (€8) | €10 | - 13% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $24 (€21) | €8 | + 173% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $168 (€146) | €56 | + 161% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $10 (€8) | €4.19 | + 100% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $5.27 (€4.57) | €2.60 | + 76% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $7 (€6) | €3.00 | + 107% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $5.09 (€4.41) | €1.83 | + 141% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $2.41 (€2.09) | €2.12 | - 2% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $31 (€27) | €17 | + 63% | |
| Entertainment | + 40% | |||
| Entertainment in United States is 40% more expensive than in Spain | ||||
| United States | Spain | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $61 (€53) | €36 | + 47% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $31 (€27) | €17 | + 57% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $250 (€216) | €52 | + 319% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $105 (€91) | €51 | + 77% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $15 (€13) | €11 | + 23% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $5.99 (€5.20) | €3.13 | + 66% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $8 (€7) | €4.83 | + 36% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $464 (€402) | €478 | - 16% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.52 (€0.45) | €0.36 | + 26% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $72 (€62) | €55 | + 13% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $11 (€10) | €5.73 | + 71% | |
| TOTAL | + 60% | |||
These prices were last updated on June 19, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.867
EUR
/
USD
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 22,519 prices entered by 2,577 different people.
Cost of living in United States is 60% more expensive than in Spain
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