Cost of living in United States compared to Spain
Currency:
| Food | + 41% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United States is 41% more expensive than in Spain | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $14 (€13) | €13 | + 2% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $8 (€7) | €7 | - 4% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $4.32 (€3.98) | €3.28 | + 22% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $0.88 (€0.81) | €0.82 | - 2% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $3.00 (€2.77) | €2.42 | + 14% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $4.08 (€3.76) | €1.68 | + 124% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $6 (€5.76) | €6 | - 8% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $3.39 (€3.12) | €1.69 | + 84% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $1.74 (€1.60) | €1.05 | + 53% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $3.21 (€2.95) | €0.85 | + 249% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $15 (€13) | €6 | + 109% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $1.92 (€1.77) | €1.60 | + 10% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $2.07 (€1.91) | €0.83 | + 129% | |
| Housing | + 66% | |||
| Housing in United States is 66% more expensive than in Spain | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $2,231 (€2,056) | €1,296 | + 59% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $1,605 (€1,479) | €824 | + 79% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $179 (€165) | €114 | + 44% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $1,614 (€1,487) | €771 | + 93% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $1,142 (€1,052) | €559 | + 88% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $117 (€108) | €81 | + 33% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $48 (€44) | €30 | + 48% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $300 (€277) | €373 | - 26% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $121 (€112) | €94 | + 19% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $11 (€10) | €7 | + 49% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $22 (€21) | €11 | + 93% | |
| Clothes | + 3% | |||
| Clothes in United States is about the same as in Spain | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $49 (€45) | €80 | - 44% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $44 (€41) | €31 | + 31% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $87 (€80) | €80 | + 0% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $114 (€105) | €90 | + 16% | |
| Transportation | + 20% | |||
| Transportation in United States is 20% more expensive than in Spain | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $22,993 (€21,186) | €22,332 | - 5% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $0.77 (€0.71) | €1.33 | - 47% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $79 (€73) | €46 | + 60% | |
| Personal Care | + 57% | |||
| Personal Care in United States is 57% more expensive than in Spain | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $7 (€7) | €7 | - 4% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $20 (€18) | €8 | + 135% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $110 (€101) | €62 | + 64% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $7 (€6) | €4.09 | + 48% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $3.51 (€3.23) | €2.59 | + 25% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $5.02 (€4.63) | €2.77 | + 67% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $3.54 (€3.27) | €1.49 | + 119% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $1.84 (€1.69) | €1.70 | - 0% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $22 (€20) | €14 | + 44% | |
| Entertainment | + 28% | |||
| Entertainment in United States is 28% more expensive than in Spain | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $45 (€42) | €31 | + 33% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $25 (€23) | €16 | + 42% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $221 (€204) | €51 | + 301% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $75 (€70) | €45 | + 56% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $12 (€11) | €9 | + 19% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $4.81 (€4.43) | €2.42 | + 83% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $5.82 (€5.36) | €4.09 | + 31% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $405 (€374) | €431 | - 13% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.19 (€0.17) | €0.19 | - 9% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $54 (€49) | €47 | + 4% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $8 (€7) | €4.94 | + 51% | |
| TOTAL | + 40% | |||
These prices were last updated on February 25, 2020.
Exchange rate:
0.921
EUR
/
USD
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 64,405 prices entered by 8,024 different people.
Cost of living in United States is 40% more expensive than in Spain
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