Cost of living in Spain vs UK

Who is the winner?

In this article, we will explain you why the cost of living in Spain is so interesting vs United Kingdom. At the same time, you will discover which Spanish cities are the best to work or relax with a small budget and which ones are the most expensive ones. Last but not least you will be able to compare the major English cities with the major cities in Spain.

Yes, Spain is one of the cheapest country in the world and it is even more interesting if you take into account the quality of life and the economic activity!

1. The cost of living in Spain vs United Kingdom is 19% lower

   Of course, you will tell us that you want to go to Spain for the Sun or for the beaches…

   There are plenty of other good reasons as well but when you look at finding a place to live, we think that the cost of life is very important!

    

    

   We did the work with the help of the Statistics from Eurostat to compare Spain cost of live vs United Kingdom so that you could compare your current lifestyle with the one you could have in Spain.

    

   Let’s have a look at the data:

   Cost of Products and Services	United Kingdom	Spain	United Kingdom vs Spain
   Alcoholic beverages and tobacco	166	91	55%
   Transport services	136	88	65%
   Transport equipment	136	88	65%
   Average cost of life	121	98	81%
   Restaurants and hotel	105	89	85%
   Furnitures and furnishings	107	102	96%
   Clothing	86	90	105%
   Footwear	95	100	105%
   Household appliances	94	99	105%
   Consumer electronics	96	100	105%
   Communication	116	123	105%
   Food and non alcoholic beverages	92	97	106%
   Electricity, gaz and fuels	92	107	116%

   Source: Eurostat 2020

   The cost of living in Spain is 19% lower than in United Kingdom according to Eurostat

   If you prefer a chart, here is our interactive chart:

    

   So, next time you visit Spain, enjoy the sun, the beaches, the cultural treasures and of course the quality of life… and for sure, the excellent Mediterranean food and tapas!
   As you can see on this table with the General Index: Spain is on average 19% cheaper than the United Kingdom and 8% cheaper than the rest of Europe!

   Summer 2022 update: Spain is cheaper than the United Kingdom for utilities.

   Spain is cheaper for …

   • Spain is less expensive than United Kingdom for alcoholic beverages and tobacco by 45.4%
   • Spain is less expensive than United Kingdom for transport services by 35.3%
   • Spain is less expensive than United Kingdom for transport equipment by 35.3%
   • Spain is less expensive than United Kingdom on average by 19.2%
   • Spain is less expensive than United Kingdom for restaurants and hotels by 14.6%
   • Spain is less expensive than United Kingdom for furniture and furnishings by 4.4%

    

   

   10 reasons for buying a property in Spain

   Spain is more expensive for …

   • Spain is more expensive than United Kingdom for clothing by 4.8%
   • Spain is more expensive than United Kingdom for footwear by 4.8%
   • Spain is more expensive than United Kingdom for household appliances by 4.9%
   • Spain is more expensive than United Kingdom for consumer electronics by 4.9%
   • Spain is more expensive than United Kingdom for communication by 5.4%
   • Spain is more expensive than United Kingdom for food and non alcoholic beverages by 5.5%
   • Spain is more expensive than United Kingdom for electricity, gaz and fuels by 15.8%

    

2. Cost of living in Spain vs UK & the world

   Numbeo, is a website comparing the cost of living in many different countries and cities all over the world. According to them, in January 2022, Spain is the 46th most expensive country in the world with an average cost of living (including rent) of 38.58 (vs 100 for New York) while United Kingdom has a cost of living of 51.93.

   The cost of living in Spain is 25.7% lower than in United Kingdom according to Numbeo

   How Numbeo creates its indexes?

   Numbeo takes NYC as a reference: these indices are relative to New York City (NYC). Which means that for any city with the same cost of life as New York City, it will have a value of 100. If another city has, for example, rent index of 120, it means that on an average in that city rents are 20% more expensive than in New York City. If a city has a rent index of 70, that means on an average in that city rents are 30% less expensive than in New York City.

   Here are some other cost of living comparison between Spain and United Kingdom:

   • Spain cost of living (without rent ) is 22.6% cheaper than in United Kingdom
   • To rent a property in Spain it is is 33.3% cheaper than in United Kingdom
   • Groceries are 19.2% cheaper in Spain than in United Kingdom
   • Restaurants are 29.7% cheaper in Spain than in United Kingdom

    

   Last interesting point to note, is that Spain has even with its cheap cost of life a lower purchasing power than United Kingdom (21.1%). The meaning of this is that, yes, cost of living is cheap but on average salaries are even lower than in UK.

3. Cost of living in the biggest cities of the world

   And you will see quickly how much you will save, even if you are there on holiday. That’s one of the best-kept secrets of Spain.

    

   Have a look at our chart comparing the different purchasing power of the biggest cities in the world with many Spanish cities.

    

    

4. English cities vs Spanish comparison

   Thanks to Numbeo, we compared the cost of living for the major English cities vs the major Spanish cities, and yes, on average, it is much cheapen in Spain, one of the rare exception is Leicester which has a cost of life close to the Spanish cities.

    

   Cost of living in London vs Spanish cities

   • Barcelona cost of living is 41% cheaper than London cost of living
   • Bilbao cost of living is 42% cheaper than London cost of living
   • Madrid cost of living is 42% cheaper than London cost of living
   • Palma de Mallorca cost of living is 45% cheaper than London cost of living
   • Malaga cost of living is 50% cheaper than London cost of living
   • Valencia cost of living is 52% cheaper than London cost of living
   • Seville cost of living is 52% cheaper than London cost of living
   • Las Palmas cost of living is 52% cheaper than London cost of living
   • Zaragoza cost of living is 53% cheaper than London cost of living
   • Alicante cost of living is 54% cheaper than London cost of living
   • Vigo cost of living is 54% cheaper than London cost of living
   • Tenerife cost of living is 55% cheaper than London cost of living
   • Granada cost of living is 56% cheaper than London cost of living
   • Murcia cost of living is 56% cheaper than London cost of living

    

   Source: Numbeo, January 2022, Cost of living Index (including rent)

    

   Cost of living in Bristol vs Spanish cities

   • Barcelona cost of living is 17% cheaper than Bristol cost of living
   • Bilbao cost of living is 18% cheaper than Bristol cost of living
   • Madrid cost of living is 18% cheaper than Bristol cost of living
   • Leicester cost of living is 20% cheaper than Bristol cost of living
   • Palma de Mallorca cost of living is 22% cheaper than Bristol cost of living
   • Malaga cost of living is 30% cheaper than Bristol cost of living
   • Valencia cost of living is 32% cheaper than Bristol cost of living
   • Seville cost of living is 32% cheaper than Bristol cost of living
   • Las Palmas cost of living is 32% cheaper than Bristol cost of living
   • Zaragoza cost of living is 33% cheaper than Bristol cost of living
   • Alicante cost of living is 35% cheaper than Bristol cost of living
   • Vigo cost of living is 36% cheaper than Bristol cost of living
   • Tenerife cost of living is 36% cheaper than Bristol cost of living
   • Granada cost of living is 38% cheaper than Bristol cost of living
   • Murcia cost of living is 38% cheaper than Bristol cost of living

    

   Source: Numbeo, January 2022, Cost of living Index (including rent)

    

   Cost of living in Edinburgh vs Spanish cities

   • Barcelona cost of living is 15% cheaper than Edinburgh cost of living
   • Bilbao cost of living is 16% cheaper than Edinburgh cost of living
   • Madrid cost of living is 16% cheaper than Edinburgh cost of living
   • Palma de Mallorca cost of living is 20% cheaper than Edinburgh cost of living
   • Malaga cost of living is 28% cheaper than Edinburgh cost of living
   • Valencia cost of living is 31% cheaper than Edinburgh cost of living
   • Seville cost of living is 31% cheaper than Edinburgh cost of living
   • Las Palmas cost of living is 31% cheaper than Edinburgh cost of living
   • Zaragoza cost of living is 32% cheaper than Edinburgh cost of living
   • Alicante cost of living is 34% cheaper than Edinburgh cost of living
   • Vigo cost of living is 34% cheaper than Edinburgh cost of living
   • Tenerife cost of living is 35% cheaper than Edinburgh cost of living
   • Granada cost of living is 37% cheaper than Edinburgh cost of living
   • Murcia cost of living is 37% cheaper than Edinburgh cost of living

    

   Source: Numbeo, January 2022, Cost of living Index (including rent)

    

   Cost of living in Manchester vs Spanish cities

   • Barcelona cost of living is 14% cheaper than Manchester cost of living
   • Bilbao cost of living is 15% cheaper than Manchester cost of living
   • Madrid cost of living is 15% cheaper than Manchester cost of living
   • Palma de Mallorca cost of living is 19% cheaper than Manchester cost of living
   • Malaga cost of living is 27% cheaper than Manchester cost of living
   • Valencia cost of living is 30% cheaper than Manchester cost of living
   • Seville cost of living is 30% cheaper than Manchester cost of living
   • Las Palmas cost of living is 30% cheaper than Manchester cost of living
   • Zaragoza cost of living is 31% cheaper than Manchester cost of living
   • Alicante cost of living is 33% cheaper than Manchester cost of living
   • Vigo cost of living is 34% cheaper than Manchester cost of living
   • Tenerife cost of living is 34% cheaper than Manchester cost of living
   • Granada cost of living is 36% cheaper than Manchester cost of living
   • Murcia cost of living is 36% cheaper than Manchester cost of living

    

   Source: Numbeo, January 2022, Cost of living Index (including rent)

    

   Cost of living in Birmingham vs Spanish cities

   • Barcelona cost of living is 8% cheaper than Birmingham cost of living
   • Bilbao cost of living is 9% cheaper than Birmingham cost of living
   • Madrid cost of living is 9% cheaper than Birmingham cost of living
   • Palma de Mallorca cost of living is 13% cheaper than Birmingham cost of living
   • Malaga cost of living is 22% cheaper than Birmingham cost of living
   • Valencia cost of living is 24% cheaper than Birmingham cost of living
   • Seville cost of living is 25% cheaper than Birmingham cost of living
   • Las Palmas cost of living is 25% cheaper than Birmingham cost of living
   • Zaragoza cost of living is 26% cheaper than Birmingham cost of living
   • Alicante cost of living is 28% cheaper than Birmingham cost of living
   • Vigo cost of living is 29% cheaper than Birmingham cost of living
   • Tenerife cost of living is 29% cheaper than Birmingham cost of living
   • Granada cost of living is 31% cheaper than Birmingham cost of living
   • Murcia cost of living is 32% cheaper than Birmingham cost of living

    

   Source: Numbeo, January 2022, Cost of living Index (including rent)

    

   Cost of living in Leeds vs Spanish cities

   • Barcelona cost of living is 7% cheaper than Leeds cost of living
   • Bilbao cost of living is 8% cheaper than Leeds cost of living
   • Madrid cost of living is 8% cheaper than Leeds cost of living
   • Palma de Mallorca cost of living is 13% cheaper than Leeds cost of living
   • Malaga cost of living is 21% cheaper than Leeds cost of living
   • Valencia cost of living is 24% cheaper than Leeds cost of living
   • Seville cost of living is 24% cheaper than Leeds cost of living
   • Las Palmas cost of living is 24% cheaper than Leeds cost of living
   • Zaragoza cost of living is 25% cheaper than Leeds cost of living
   • Alicante cost of living is 27% cheaper than Leeds cost of living
   • Vigo cost of living is 28% cheaper than Leeds cost of living
   • Tenerife cost of living is 28% cheaper than Leeds cost of living
   • Granada cost of living is 31% cheaper than Leeds cost of living
   • Murcia cost of living is 31% cheaper than Leeds cost of living

    

   Source: Numbeo, January 2022, Cost of living Index (including rent)

    

   Cost of living in Nottingham vs Spanish cities

   • Barcelona cost of living is 6% cheaper than Nottingham cost of living
   • Bilbao cost of living is 7% cheaper than Nottingham cost of living
   • Madrid cost of living is 7% cheaper than Nottingham cost of living
   • Palma de Mallorca cost of living is 12% cheaper than Nottingham cost of living
   • Malaga cost of living is 21% cheaper than Nottingham cost of living
   • Valencia cost of living is 23% cheaper than Nottingham cost of living
   • Seville cost of living is 23% cheaper than Nottingham cost of living
   • Las Palmas cost of living is 23% cheaper than Nottingham cost of living
   • Zaragoza cost of living is 24% cheaper than Nottingham cost of living
   • Alicante cost of living is 26% cheaper than Nottingham cost of living
   • Vigo cost of living is 27% cheaper than Nottingham cost of living
   • Tenerife cost of living is 28% cheaper than Nottingham cost of living
   • Granada cost of living is 30% cheaper than Nottingham cost of living
   • Murcia cost of living is 30% cheaper than Nottingham cost of living

    

   Source: Numbeo, January 2022, Cost of living Index (including rent)

    

   Cost of living in Cardiff vs Spanish cities

   • Barcelona cost of living is 5% cheaper than Cardiff cost of living
   • Bilbao cost of living is 6% cheaper than Cardiff cost of living
   • Madrid cost of living is 6% cheaper than Cardiff cost of living
   • Palma de Mallorca cost of living is 11% cheaper than Cardiff cost of living
   • Malaga cost of living is 20% cheaper than Cardiff cost of living
   • Valencia cost of living is 22% cheaper than Cardiff cost of living
   • Seville cost of living is 23% cheaper than Cardiff cost of living
   • Las Palmas cost of living is 23% cheaper than Cardiff cost of living
   • Zaragoza cost of living is 24% cheaper than Cardiff cost of living
   • Alicante cost of living is 26% cheaper than Cardiff cost of living
   • Vigo cost of living is 27% cheaper than Cardiff cost of living
   • Tenerife cost of living is 27% cheaper than Cardiff cost of living
   • Granada cost of living is 29% cheaper than Cardiff cost of living
   • Murcia cost of living is 30% cheaper than Cardiff cost of living

    

   Source: Numbeo, January 2022, Cost of living Index (including rent)

    

   Cost of living in Glasgow vs Spanish cities

   • Barcelona cost of living is 5% cheaper than Glasgow cost of living
   • Bilbao cost of living is 6% cheaper than Glasgow cost of living
   • Madrid cost of living is 6% cheaper than Glasgow cost of living
   • Palma de Mallorca cost of living is 11% cheaper than Glasgow cost of living
   • Malaga cost of living is 20% cheaper than Glasgow cost of living
   • Valencia cost of living is 22% cheaper than Glasgow cost of living
   • Seville cost of living is 23% cheaper than Glasgow cost of living
   • Las Palmas cost of living is 23% cheaper than Glasgow cost of living
   • Zaragoza cost of living is 24% cheaper than Glasgow cost of living
   • Alicante cost of living is 26% cheaper than Glasgow cost of living
   • Vigo cost of living is 27% cheaper than Glasgow cost of living
   • Tenerife cost of living is 27% cheaper than Glasgow cost of living
   • Granada cost of living is 29% cheaper than Glasgow cost of living
   • Murcia cost of living is 30% cheaper than Glasgow cost of living

    

   Source: Numbeo, January 2022, Cost of living Index (including rent)

    

   Cost of living in Liverpool vs Spanish cities

   • Barcelona cost of living is 5% cheaper than Liverpool cost of living
   • Bilbao cost of living is 6% cheaper than Liverpool cost of living
   • Madrid cost of living is 6% cheaper than Liverpool cost of living
   • Palma de Mallorca cost of living is 11% cheaper than Liverpool cost of living
   • Malaga cost of living is 19% cheaper than Liverpool cost of living
   • Valencia cost of living is 22% cheaper than Liverpool cost of living
   • Seville cost of living is 22% cheaper than Liverpool cost of living
   • Las Palmas cost of living is 22% cheaper than Liverpool cost of living
   • Zaragoza cost of living is 23% cheaper than Liverpool cost of living
   • Alicante cost of living is 25% cheaper than Liverpool cost of living
   • Vigo cost of living is 26% cheaper than Liverpool cost of living
   • Tenerife cost of living is 27% cheaper than Liverpool cost of living
   • Granada cost of living is 29% cheaper than Liverpool cost of living
   • Murcia cost of living is 29% cheaper than Liverpool cost of living

    

   Source: Numbeo, January 2022, Cost of living Index (including rent)

    

   Cost of living in Sheffield vs Spanish cities

   • Barcelona cost of living is the same as Sheffield cost of living
   • Bilbao cost of living is 1% cheaper than Sheffield cost of living
   • Madrid cost of living is 2% cheaper than Sheffield cost of living
   • Palma de Mallorca cost of living is 7% cheaper than Sheffield cost of living
   • Malaga cost of living is 16% cheaper than Sheffield cost of living
   • Valencia cost of living is 19% cheaper than Sheffield cost of living
   • Seville cost of living is 19% cheaper than Sheffield cost of living
   • Las Palmas cost of living is 19% cheaper than Sheffield cost of living
   • Zaragoza cost of living is 20% cheaper than Sheffield cost of living
   • Alicante cost of living is 22% cheaper than Sheffield cost of living
   • Vigo cost of living is 23% cheaper than Sheffield cost of living
   • Tenerife cost of living is 24% cheaper than Sheffield cost of living
   • Granada cost of living is 26% cheaper than Sheffield cost of living
   • Murcia cost of living is 26% cheaper than Sheffield cost of living

    

   Source: Numbeo, January 2022, Cost of living Index (including rent)

    

   Cost of living in Leicester vs Spanish cities

   Leicester is the only city which is more expensive than a few Spanish city, all the other English cities are cheaper than Spanish cities. Here are the comparisons:

   • Barcelona cost of living is 4% more expensive than Leicester cost of living
   • Bilbao cost of living is 3% more expensive than Leicester cost of living
   • Madrid cost of living is 2% more expensive than Leicester cost of living
   • Palma de Mallorca cost of living is 3% cheaper than Leicester cost of living
   • Malaga cost of living is 13% cheaper than Leicester cost of living
   • Valencia cost of living is 15% cheaper than Leicester cost of living
   • Seville cost of living is 16% cheaper than Leicester cost of living
   • Las Palmas cost of living is 16% cheaper than Leicester cost of living
   • Zaragoza cost of living is 17% cheaper than Leicester cost of living
   • Alicante cost of living is 19% cheaper than Leicester cost of living
   • Vigo cost of living is 20% cheaper than Leicester cost of living
   • Tenerife cost of living is 20% cheaper than Leicester cost of living
   • Granada cost of living is 23% cheaper than Leicester cost of living
   • Murcia cost of living is 23% cheaper than Leicester cost of living

    

   Source: Numbeo, January 2022, Cost of living Index (including rent)

    

   Compare the cost of living of two cities in the world

   And you will see quickly how much you will save, even if you are there on holiday. That’s one of the best-kept secrets of Spain.

   Compare two cities with Numbeo, here we took Valencia and Malaga

   Check the city comparator of Flying Yack

    

   If you want to find out quickly which is the cheapest city in any region in the world, don’t forget to check the colour maps of Numbeo.

    

5. Daily costs comparisons between English and Spanish cities

    

   Rents comparison of Spanish and English cities

    

   Rent Index is an estimation of prices for renting apartments in the city studied made by Numbeo compared to New York City. The current Rent index in January 2022 is 72.9 for London, so the prices of rents London is on an average 27% less than the price of rents in New York.

    

   Ranking of Spanish and English cities for rents, from expensive (closest to London) to cheap:

   • London cost of renting is 72.9.
   • Bristol cost of renting is 39.21 and is 46% cheaper than London rents
   • Edinburgh cost of renting is 36.45 and is 50% cheaper than London rents
   • Manchester cost of renting is 34.13 and is 53% cheaper than London rents
   • Birmingham cost of renting is 32.49 and is 55% cheaper than London rents
   • Madrid cost of renting is 31.1 and is 57% cheaper than London rents
   • Barcelona cost of renting is 30.79 and is 58% cheaper than London rents
   • Leeds cost of renting is 29.71 and is 59% cheaper than London rents
   • Cardiff cost of renting is 29.18 and is 60% cheaper than London rents
   • Glasgow cost of renting is 28.41 and is 61% cheaper than London rents
   • Palma de Mallorca cost of renting is 27.34 and is 62% cheaper than London rents
   • Bilbao cost of renting is 26.53 and is 64% cheaper than London rents
   • Nottingham cost of renting is 26.15 and is 64% cheaper than London rents
   • Sheffield cost of renting is 26.11 and is 64% cheaper than London rents
   • Malaga cost of renting is 25.51 and is 65% cheaper than London rents
   • Liverpool cost of renting is 25.3 and is 65% cheaper than London rents
   • Leicester cost of renting is 24.15 and is 67% cheaper than London rents
   • Las Palmas cost of renting is 22.08 and is 70% cheaper than London rents
   • Valencia cost of renting is 21.84 and is 70% cheaper than London rents
   • Seville cost of renting is 20.55 and is 72% cheaper than London rents
   • Alicante cost of renting is 19.85 and is 73% cheaper than London rents
   • Tenerife cost of renting is 19.13 and is 74% cheaper than London rents
   • Zaragoza cost of renting is 18.24 and is 75% cheaper than London rents
   • Vigo cost of renting is 17.16 and is 76% cheaper than London rents
   • Granada cost of renting is 15.65 and is 79% cheaper than London rents
   • Murcia cost of renting is 15.65 and is 79% cheaper than London rents

    

   Interactive charts comparing rent levels for all the English and Spanish cities:

    

    

    

   Restaurants prices comparison of Spanish and English cities

    

   Restaurants Index is a comparison of prices of meals and drinks in restaurants and bars compared to NYC made by Numbeo. The Restaurants index level is 88.95 for London as of January 2022: Numbeo estimates that the price of restaurants in London is on an average 11% less than the price in New York.

    

   Ranking of Spanish and English cities for restaurants prices, from expensive (closest to London) to cheap:

   • London restaurants’ index is 88.95
   • Manchester restaurants’ index is 86.55 and is 3% cheaper than London restaurants’ prices
   • Liverpool restaurants’ index is 86.01 and is 3% cheaper than London restaurants’ prices
   • Bristol restaurants’ index is 83.5 and is 6% cheaper than London restaurants’ prices
   • Edinburgh restaurants’ index is 81.18 and is 9% cheaper than London restaurants’ prices
   • Cardiff restaurants’ index is 76.77 and is 14% cheaper than London restaurants’ prices
   • Glasgow restaurants’ index is 76.2 and is 14% cheaper than London restaurants’ prices
   • Leeds restaurants’ index is 75.93 and is 15% cheaper than London restaurants’ prices
   • Leicester restaurants’ index is 71.5 and is 20% cheaper than London restaurants’ prices
   • Nottingham restaurants’ index is 71.4 and is 20% cheaper than London restaurants’ prices
   • Birmingham restaurants’ index is 67.92 and is 24% cheaper than London restaurants’ prices
   • Sheffield restaurants’ index is 63.62 and is 28% cheaper than London restaurants’ prices
   • Bilbao restaurants’ index is 63.19 and is 29% cheaper than London restaurants’ prices
   • Barcelona restaurants’ index is 62.42 and is 30% cheaper than London restaurants’ prices
   • Madrid restaurants’ index is 62.32 and is 30% cheaper than London restaurants’ prices
   • Palma de Mallorca restaurants’ index is 59.64 and is 33% cheaper than London restaurants’ prices
   • Valencia restaurants’ index is 55.27 and is 38% cheaper than London restaurants’ prices
   • Zaragoza restaurants’ index is 54.95 and is 38% cheaper than London restaurants’ prices
   • Vigo restaurants’ index is 54.95 and is 38% cheaper than London restaurants’ prices
   • Tenerife restaurants’ index is 53.4 and is 40% cheaper than London restaurants’ prices
   • Alicante restaurants’ index is 52.07 and is 41% cheaper than London restaurants’ prices
   • Murcia restaurants’ index is 51.62 and is 42% cheaper than London restaurants’ prices
   • Malaga restaurants’ index is 51.32 and is 42% cheaper than London restaurants’ prices
   • Las Palmas restaurants’ index is 48.92 and is 45% cheaper than London restaurants’ prices
   • Seville restaurants’ index is 48.9 and is 45% cheaper than London restaurants’ prices
   • Granada restaurants’ index is 46.84 and is 47% cheaper than London restaurants’ prices

    

   Interactive chart comparing the different rent levels for all the English and Spanish cities:

    

    

    

   Groceries prices comparison of Spanish and English cities

    

   Groceries Index is an estimation of grocery prices in the city compared to New York City. If Groceries index is 62.16, as for London, Numbeo estimates that the price of rents in that city is on an average 38% less than the price in New York.

    

   Ranking of Spanish and English cities for Groceries costs, from expensive (closest to London) to cheap:

   • London Groceries prices index is 62.16
   • Nottingham Groceries prices index is 63.61 and is 2% more expensive than London Groceries’ prices
   • Edinburgh Groceries prices index is 58.16 and is 6% cheaper than London Groceries’ prices
   • Manchester Groceries prices index is 57.86 and is 7% cheaper than London Groceries’ prices
   • Bilbao Groceries prices index is 56.67 and is 9% cheaper than London Groceries’ prices
   • Bristol Groceries prices index is 56.03 and is 10% cheaper than London Groceries’ prices
   • Sheffield Groceries prices index is 55.87 and is 10% cheaper than London Groceries’ prices
   • Leeds Groceries prices index is 55.53 and is 11% cheaper than London Groceries’ prices
   • Birmingham Groceries prices index is 54.84 and is 12% cheaper than London Groceries’ prices
   • Liverpool Groceries prices index is 54.53 and is 12% cheaper than London Groceries’ prices
   • Cardiff Groceries prices index is 54.22 and is 13% cheaper than London Groceries’ prices
   • Glasgow Groceries prices index is 53.9 and is 13% cheaper than London Groceries’ prices
   • Leicester Groceries prices index is 50.85 and is 18% cheaper than London Groceries’ prices
   • Madrid Groceries prices index is 48.87 and is 21% cheaper than London Groceries’ prices
   • Seville Groceries prices index is 48.76 and is 22% cheaper than London Groceries’ prices
   • Barcelona Groceries prices index is 48.52 and is 22% cheaper than London Groceries’ prices
   • Las Palmas Groceries prices index is 48.07 and is 23% cheaper than London Groceries’ prices
   • Zaragoza Groceries prices index is 47.85 and is 23% cheaper than London Groceries’ prices
   • Palma de Mallorca Groceries prices index is 47.79 and is 23% cheaper than London Groceries’ prices
   • Valencia Groceries prices index is 44.43 and is 29% cheaper than London Groceries’ prices
   • Granada Groceries prices index is 43.71 and is 30% cheaper than London Groceries’ prices
   • Murcia Groceries prices index is 43.3 and is 30% cheaper than London Groceries’ prices
   • Malaga Groceries prices index is 43.07 and is 31% cheaper than London Groceries’ prices
   • Vigo Groceries prices index is 42.75 and is 31% cheaper than London Groceries’ prices
   • Alicante Groceries prices index is 42.39 and is 32% cheaper than London Groceries’ prices
   • Tenerife Groceries prices index is 42.17 and is 32% cheaper than London Groceries’ prices

    

   Interactive chart comparing the different Groceries costs for all the English and Spanish cities.

    

    

    

   Purchasing power comparison of Spanish and English cities

    

   Local Purchasing Power shows relative purchasing power in buying goods and services in a given city for the average wage in that city. If domestic purchasing power is 40, this means that the inhabitants of that city with the average salary can afford to buy on an average 60% fewer goods and services than New York City residents with an average salary.
   For more information about used weights (actual formula) please visit Numbeo Motivation and Methodology. So you got it, the best solutions are either to have a remote job, or to work outside Spain, or to have a good job in Spain or to retire in Spain but it is not to have a low paid job in Spain.

    

   Ranking of local purchasing power of Spanish and English cities, from high(closest to London) to low:

   • London index is 92
   • Cardiff Purchasing power index is 105.19 and is 14% higher than London Purchasing power
   • Glasgow Purchasing power index is 101.08 and is 9% higher than London Purchasing power
   • Leicester Purchasing power index is 94.48 and is 2% higher than London Purchasing power
   • Sheffield Purchasing power index is 94.35 and is 2% higher than London Purchasing power
   • Nottingham Purchasing power index is 93.99 and is 2% higher than London Purchasing power
   • Manchester Purchasing power index is 90.76 and is 2% lower than London Purchasing power
   • Liverpool Purchasing power index is 90.6 and is 2% lower than London Purchasing power
   • Bristol Purchasing power index is 89.33 and is 3% lower than London Purchasing power
   • Leeds Purchasing power index is 89.25 and is 3% lower than London Purchasing power
   • Edinburgh Purchasing power index is 89.16 and is 3% lower than London Purchasing power
   • Granada Purchasing power index is 87.46 and is 5% lower than London Purchasing power
   • Birmingham Purchasing power index is 86.12 and is 7% lower than London Purchasing power
   • Alicante Purchasing power index is 80.29 and is 13% lower than London Purchasing power
   • Murcia Purchasing power index is 77.45 and is 16% lower than London Purchasing power
   • Vigo Purchasing power index is 75.98 and is 18% lower than London Purchasing power
   • Madrid Purchasing power index is 75.06 and is 19% lower than London Purchasing power
   • Seville Purchasing power index is 71.73 and is 22% lower than London Purchasing power
   • Valencia Purchasing power index is 70.33 and is 24% lower than London Purchasing power
   • Barcelona Purchasing power index is 70.07 and is 24% lower than London Purchasing power
   • Zaragoza Purchasing power index is 69.42 and is 25% lower than London Purchasing power
   • Malaga Purchasing power index is 67.07 and is 27% lower than London Purchasing power
   • Bilbao Purchasing power index is 66.7 and is 28% lower than London Purchasing power
   • Tenerife Purchasing power index is 64.54 and is 30% lower than London Purchasing power
   • Palma de Mallorca Purchasing power index is 63.61 and is 31% lower than London Purchasing power
   • Las Palmas Purchasing power index is 55.22 and is 40% lower than London Purchasing power

    

   Interactive chart comparing the different purchasing power levels for all the English and Spanish cities.

    

    

6. What about the Spanish real estate market?

    

   The most expensive cities in Spain for real estate are

   
   End September 2021, Sorted by price, second column

   City / Region	Price	Yr Price Evolution	Qtr Price Evolution	Number of Transactions	Transaction Evolution
   Gipuzkoa	2 736 €	3,0%	-0,6%	7 171	15%
   Madrid (Comunidad de)	2 685 €	2,9%	0,9%	83 173	25%
   Balears (Illes)	2 496 €	4,8%	2,1%	14 322	15%
   País Vasco	2 421 €	3,3%	-0,4%	22 366	18%
   Barcelona	2 396 €	1,3%	-0,4%	60 555	19%
   Bizkaia	2 364 €	3,9%	0,0%	12 036	17%
   Cataluña	2 038 €	1,9%	-0,2%	93 862	24%
   Araba/Alava	1 975 €	2,8%	-1,7%	3 159	25%
   Málaga	1 924 €	7,6%	3,9%	32 109	25%
   Ceuta	1 798 €	-0,5%	0,1%	711	34%
   Ceuta y Melilla	1 738 €	0,1%	0,3%	1 464	47%
   Melilla	1 699 €	0,9%	0,6%	753	63%
   TOTAL NACIONAL	1 662 €	2,6%	0,8%	611 093	28%

   with the National Spanish Average: 1,662 €/m²

   Read more and get the last updated prices on the Spanish property market.

    

   

   Ultimate guide to buying your property in Spain

    

   The cheapest cities in Spain for real estate are

   End September 2021, Sorted by price, second column

   City / Region	Price	Yr Price Evolution	Qtr Price Evolution	Number of Transactions	Transaction Evolution
   Ciudad Real	712 €	-1,0%	0,1%	5 446	43%
   Teruel	752 €	2,2%	-0,8%	1 733	30%
   Cuenca	766 €	-1,1%	-2,6%	2 346	48%
   Jaén	786 €	1,6%	1,1%	6 400	31%
   Zamora	792 €	-3,9%	-1,4%	1 871	54%
   Cáceres	837 €	-0,3%	1,7%	3 823	25%
   Ávila	844 €	4,5%	3,3%	2 516	35%
   Extremadura	857 €	1,4%	1,5%	10 666	37%
   León	860 €	-0,9%	2,7%	4 657	33%
   Toledo	868 €	3,5%	2,0%	10 775	39%
   Badajoz	871 €	2,7%	1,3%	6 843	45%
   Lugo	881 €	3,1%	0,5%	3 601	57%
   Castilla-La Mancha	887 €	1,3%	0,5%	27 431	40%
   Ourense	891 €	-2,7%	-0,1%	2 451	42%
   Albacete	904 €	0,2%	-1,8%	3 919	39%
   Soria	914 €	-2,3%	3,7%	1 311	53%
   Palencia	930 €	-1,4%	2,9%	1 956	48%
   Segovia	985 €	-0,1%	2,3%	2 418	52%
   Murcia (Región de)	986 €	2,9%	-1,4%	22 074	32%
   Lleida	995 €	0,8%	-3,2%	5 661	45%

   with the National Spanish Average: 1.662 €/m²

   Read more on and get the last updated prices on the Spanish property market.

    

7. Why should you relocate to Spain?

   you earn on average 69 to 85% of what you would earn if you lived in New York but at the same time, the cost of life plus rent index is between 33 to 47%. So, that’s one of the main reasons why Spain is one of the best countries in the world for relocating and for working remotely?

   Discover all our detailed reviews of the beautiful Spanish Costas.

   

   Find all our best Spanish Costas infographics: Costa Brava, Costa del Sol, Costa Blanca, Costa Barcelona, Balearic Islands, Canary Islands,…

8. Spain is a nice place to retire or enjoy holidays

   If in addition to that, you take into account that Spain is the healthiest country in the world to live in as we wrote in our last article and Spain has so many experiences to enjoy, that’s why it is the number one holiday destination in Europe.

    

   

   Why should you relocate to Spain?

    

9. How do we help you?

   As you may have read on our homepage howtobuyinspain.com, Buying a property in Spain is cheap and looks easy, but there are some pitfalls. That is why we have built over the years a network of 100+ local partners dedicated to assisting you: Lawyers, Mortgage brokers (financing and refinancing at lower rates), Insurance brokers, Tax advisors, Surveyors, Property hunters, Renovation, NIE specialists… So don’t miss our homepage howtobuyinspain.com, it is where you should continue for your property search in Spain.

   

   Further reading

   10 reasons why you should buy a property in Spain.

   Which are the cheapest cities to live in Spain?

    

10. Don’t miss our downloadable charts

    Same charts as in the article but in “image” format.

FAQ Is it cheaper to live in Spain than UK?

Looking for an expert in Spain? Ask us directly!

Stéphane

Senior analyst and strategist at HTBIS

Check the full HTBIS team here