At What Cost?

Being such a diversified country, both in geography and in culture, you can find just about any kind of lifestyle in Spain, and generally speaking it’s all available for less than US$2,000 per month.

Living well is affordable, Spanish food and drink prices are about 10% below the EU average, according to Eurostat, the statistical office for the EU. Some claim the costs are 25% or more lower than the rest of Western Europe.

However, you do need to pay attention to where you settle if budgeting is a top concern, as costs can explode in touristy parts of the country, especially along the southern coast, where so many Brits have settled and inflated local costs.

Santander, for example, is not a tourist city, so the cost of living doesn’t suffer the hike that many of Spain’s Costas tend to. A couple could live modestly in a rented two-bedroom apartment from about 1,500 euros.

Eating out costs vary from place to place. As with most cities, you can eat out at the very best and have your bill run into hundreds of dollars or go to a local-style pinchos bar and have your fill for 12 euros. Once you get settled and find your favorite local eateries, you’ll probably spend about 30 euros per meal for two.

Thanks to its year-round warm weather, most produce in the country is grown domestically, which keeps costs low on your weekly shopping basket. Plus, things that you might think of as luxuries back home are common here. The active fishing scene on the coasts means seafood is not only excellent quality, it’s affordable, too. Lamb is a staple meat throughout the country, and it’s more affordable here than back home, plus olive oil and wine is all produced locally, and Spain’s famous serrano ham is as common as sliced turkey in the States.

Spain’s thorough public transportation network means you can easily and affordably travel locally and throughout the country (and beyond). Trains and buses will get you everywhere you need to go in Spain, meaning a car might be an optional expense, especially if you’re in a city.

As most European countries do, Spain offers retiree discounts for those over the age of 60, most notably on transport fares.

Go here to check itemized budgets for each of our favorite destinations in Spain.