Cost of living in Spain compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 29% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Spain is 29% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Spain | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | €19 ($21) | $21 | - 2% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | €11 ($12) | $12 | - 1% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | €3.91 ($4.41) | $5.85 | - 25% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | €1.05 ($1.18) | $1.09 | + 8% | |
| 12 eggs, large | €3.12 ($3.51) | $5.52 | - 36% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | €2.10 ($2.37) | $4.83 | - 51% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | €7 ($8) | $8 | + 6% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | €2.04 ($2.29) | $4.24 | - 46% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | €1.59 ($1.79) | $2.28 | - 22% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | €1.14 ($1.28) | $3.63 | - 65% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | €7 ($8) | $18 | - 56% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | €2.08 ($2.35) | $2.95 | - 20% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | €1.04 ($1.17) | $3.01 | - 61% | |
| Housing | - 50% | |||
| Housing in Spain is 50% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Spain | United States | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | €1,477 ($1,664) | $3,085 | - 46% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | €1,011 ($1,139) | $2,367 | - 52% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | €111 ($125) | $231 | - 46% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | €976 ($1,100) | $2,197 | - 50% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | €698 ($786) | $1,612 | - 51% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | €80 ($91) | $168 | - 46% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | €24 ($27) | $61 | - 55% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | €323 ($364) | $254 | + 44% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | €93 ($105) | $156 | - 33% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | €7 ($8) | $15 | - 48% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | €12 ($14) | $34 | - 59% | |
| Clothes | - 3% | |||
| Clothes in Spain is about the same as in United States | ||||
| Spain | United States | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | €78 ($88) | $58 | + 53% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | €34 ($38) | $51 | - 26% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | €88 ($99) | $107 | - 8% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | €92 ($103) | $140 | - 26% | |
| Transportation | - 38% | |||
| Transportation in Spain is 38% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Spain | United States | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | €26,613 ($29,986) | $30,844 | - 3% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | €1.50 ($1.69) | $0.94 | + 80% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | €28 ($32) | $84 | - 63% | |
| Personal Care | - 50% | |||
| Personal Care in Spain is 50% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Spain | United States | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | €9 ($11) | $9 | + 18% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | €8 ($9) | $25 | - 65% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | €57 ($64) | $169 | - 62% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | €4.38 ($4.93) | $10 | - 49% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | €2.62 ($2.95) | $5.33 | - 45% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | €3.10 ($3.50) | $7 | - 50% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | €1.83 ($2.06) | $5.01 | - 59% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | €2.01 ($2.27) | $2.37 | - 4% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | €17 ($20) | $31 | - 37% | |
| Entertainment | - 44% | |||
| Entertainment in Spain is 44% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Spain | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | €35 ($40) | $61 | - 35% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | €16 ($18) | $30 | - 40% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | €49 ($55) | $232 | - 76% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | €50 ($56) | $106 | - 47% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | €11 ($12) | $15 | - 20% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | €3.01 ($3.39) | $5.97 | - 43% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | €4.89 ($5.51) | $8 | - 27% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | €478 ($539) | $456 | + 18% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | €0.36 ($0.40) | $0.96 | - 58% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | €53 ($59) | $71 | - 16% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | €5.70 ($6) | $11 | - 43% | |
| TOTAL | - 41% | |||
These prices were last updated on May 22, 2025.
Exchange rate:
1.127
USD
/
EUR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 23,286 prices entered by 2,684 different people.
Cost of living in Spain is 41% cheaper than in United States
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