Cost of living in Spain compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 31% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Spain is 31% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Spain | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | €17 ($18) | $19 | - 2% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | €9 ($10) | $10 | - 4% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | €3.83 ($4.11) | $5.93 | - 31% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | €0.99 ($1.06) | $1.09 | - 2% | |
| 12 eggs, large | €2.99 ($3.21) | $4.92 | - 35% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | €2.19 ($2.35) | $4.81 | - 51% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | €7 ($7) | $7 | + 2% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | €1.92 ($2.06) | $4.67 | - 56% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | €1.21 ($1.30) | $2.52 | - 48% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | €1.04 ($1.12) | $3.12 | - 64% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | €7 ($7) | $16 | - 55% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | €1.99 ($2.14) | $2.74 | - 22% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | €0.98 ($1.05) | $3.05 | - 65% | |
| Housing | - 54% | |||
| Housing in Spain is 54% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Spain | United States | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | €1,224 ($1,313) | $2,985 | - 56% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | €842 ($904) | $2,210 | - 59% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | €128 ($138) | $219 | - 37% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | €801 ($859) | $1,960 | - 56% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | €594 ($637) | $1,472 | - 57% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | €86 ($92) | $149 | - 38% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | €29 ($31) | $63 | - 51% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | €352 ($378) | $295 | + 28% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | €94 ($101) | $136 | - 26% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | €7 ($8) | $14 | - 43% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | €11 ($12) | $31 | - 60% | |
| Clothes | - 11% | |||
| Clothes in Spain is 11% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Spain | United States | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | €79 ($84) | $54 | + 55% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | €29 ($31) | $45 | - 31% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | €83 ($90) | $93 | - 4% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | €90 ($96) | $121 | - 21% | |
| Transportation | - 33% | |||
| Transportation in Spain is 33% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Spain | United States | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | €26,162 ($28,077) | $27,744 | + 1% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | €1.72 ($1.85) | $1.06 | + 75% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | €32 ($34) | $82 | - 58% | |
| Personal Care | - 46% | |||
| Personal Care in Spain is 46% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Spain | United States | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | €8 ($9) | $8 | + 10% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | €8 ($8) | $21 | - 60% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | €63 ($68) | $139 | - 51% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | €3.94 ($4.23) | $8 | - 50% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | €2.47 ($2.66) | $4.85 | - 45% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | €2.98 ($3.20) | $6 | - 49% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | €1.76 ($1.89) | $4.78 | - 60% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | €1.94 ($2.09) | $2.24 | - 7% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | €19 ($20) | $28 | - 28% | |
| Entertainment | - 31% | |||
| Entertainment in Spain is 31% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Spain | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | €32 ($34) | $55 | - 38% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | €16 ($17) | $28 | - 41% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | €50 ($54) | $200 | - 73% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | €47 ($51) | $89 | - 43% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | €9 ($10) | $13 | - 25% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | €2.61 ($2.81) | $5.23 | - 46% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | €4.30 ($4.62) | $6 | - 27% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | €482 ($518) | $554 | - 7% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | €0.17 ($0.18) | $0.20 | - 9% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | €49 ($53) | $59 | - 10% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | €5.14 ($5.52) | $10 | - 46% | |
| TOTAL | - 40% | |||
These prices were last updated on May 31, 2023.
Exchange rate:
1.073
USD
/
EUR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 30,593 prices entered by 3,863 different people.
Cost of living in Spain is 40% cheaper than in United States
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