The cost of living in Spain vs the UK - 2025 guide

Is it cheaper to live in Spain than in the UK? With an ongoing cost-of-living crisis in Britain, plenty of retirees and younger adults whose work is not location-dependent have been seriously considering upping sticks and heading to the warmer south. And as any UK resident who has ever holidayed in continental Europe knows, most countries east and south (but not north) of the Channel range from slightly to dramatically less expensive than the land so often referred to by its inhabitants as 'rip-off Britain'. But how does this stack up in reality?

Spain vs UK living cost comparison at a glance

If your income is from a UK source – such as a pension, or wages from remote work – then Spain is going to be much cheaper to live in. Estimates for different areas in both countries all find living in Spain costs anything from 19% to 34% less than in the UK.

Typical price comparisons show that on an average Spanish income, life is around 20% to 30% cheaper than in the UK on an average British income. But area, lifestyle, household size and earning power mean there's no 'one-size-fits-all' living-cost budget in either country – and it's hard to compare like for like when cultural differences between them affect prices and spending priorities.

Spanish and British living costs in a global context

On an international scale, Spain and the UK are not far apart in terms of living costs – but they are separated by several major European economies. France, Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany, and even Italy are more expensive to live in than Spain, whilst still being cheaper than Britain. Here's how they fare in the context of the rest of the world:

• The UK ranks 22^nd most expensive out of 115 countries or regions in the world to reside in, according to living-costs comparison website Numbeo and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD); Spain ranks 40^th most expensive.
• The World Bank's International Comparison Programme (ICP) saysliving in Britain cost 140% of the global average in 2021, placing it 22^nd out of 139 countries. Spain ranked 38^th, with living costs at 110% of the global average.
• LivingCost.org data say UK life comes at a price of 2.04 times the global average, putting it 11^th out of the 197 countries analysed. Spain is 38^th, and costs 1.31 times the global average.

Taking ICP data – for which 2021 is the most recent year – Spanish living costs are 79% of those of Britain. Using LivingCost.org figures, the price of life in Spain is about 63% of that of the UK.

Prices in Spain vs the UK

For an in-depth analysis of what your outgoings will be in Spain, have a look at our Cost of living in Spain 2025 guide. Taking the prices listed there, how do monthly outgoings in Spain compare with those of the UK?

Housing costs in Spain vs UK

This is a difficult one to compare. Certain streets or residential complexes in Spain have average home prices running into millions; other towns have average prices below €50,000. For large towns, the average rental price is about €11 per square metre, and a mortgage is always cheaper – usually by a significant margin. Our breakdown of mortgage and rent prices in Spain's biggest towns and cities of over 100,000 inhabitants gives you an idea.

Prices of buying and renting UK property vary by region, but outside of London, the home counties and the centres of large cities, there is less variation than in Spain. The main difference between the two countries is that over three-quarters of people in Spain live in flats, whilst in the UK, outside of big cities, owner-occupied homes are usually houses. In Spain, owner-occupancy is typically over 80%, whilst in the UK, it is currently around 66%.

Prices shown in the table below are based upon a typical three-bedroomed property in either country. In the UK, this is likely to be a terraced or semi-detached house; in Spain, it would be an apartment of about 85-100 square metres or, less commonly, a small villa.

UK vs Spain living costs: Other considerations

Of course, that's not the end of the story: A direct comparison between average Spanish and UK living costs does not present a true picture. Everything from differing social values through to the weather can influence what is seen as a basic living expense, how much it costs, and whether that cost is a problem or not. Here are some additional factors beyond mere numbers:

Living costs and wages rise more slowly in Spain

Price rises over time in Spain are far less marked than in the UK. Many everyday costs in Spain have barely gone up by 50% in 20-25 years, whilst those of the UK have often quadrupled. This is especially the case with buying or renting property, electricity bills, public transport, and food.

Bear in mind, though, that although Spain's minimum wage has risen dramatically, salaries on the whole in Spain have barely risen by 50% in 20-25 years either – whilst, in the UK, they have doubled or trebled in that time.

Imported goods are usually more expensive

Goods and services under international brand names are roughly the same price in both countries, which means, by default, they are more expensive for Spanish income-earners.

That said, Spain imports very little of its food and supermarket produce. Even in major chain stores, fresh or packaged goods are not just national, but usually local. Fruit and vegetables not in season somewhere in Spain are rarely in stock at all. This means prices are generally lower than their equivalents in the UK, which imports the majority of foodstuffs. Fruit and vegetables in Britain are mostly from overseas, and almost all its wine comes from abroad. That's why a low-cost supermarket wine in the UK is about £6.99 (€8.32), and a comparative one in Spain is about €2.10 (£1.77).

Some British produce can be found in Spain, especially in more cosmopolitan areas where food from all over the world is stocked in supermarkets. Butdon't be surprised to find their prices anything from 200% to 400% of what they would be in the UK.

Property types affect living costs

A British homeowner would expect to be able to afford to update their kitchen and bathroom at least every 10-15 years. 'Fast fashion' and rampant consumer spending mean UK trends are fleeting, and assets that don't keep up swiftly lose value. Kitchens and bathrooms are cheaper to refurbish than in Spain. But in Spain, where décor does not date for generations and material is higher-quality (ceramic, marble, granite and solid wood), home renovations are a major investment that will last you at least 30-40 years.

British homes usually have fitted wall-to-wall carpets outside of bathrooms and kitchens. Clearly, these need to be replaced at least once a decade. But Spain's tiled floors will last a lifetime, if you're happy with their colour and design.

UK homes come with central heating and mains gas as standard, are well-insulated, and long-lasting. An 'old' home would be pre-Victorian, but structurally-sound 500-year-old homes are commonly found. Except in the colder north or high-altitude inland areas, Spanish homes are not centrally-heated, and mains gas is rare. Short, mild winters mean heating needs are limited in the east and south, but air-conditioning is necessary in summer.

How far do your wages go in Spain vs UK?

We've established that life in Spain is cheaper on a UK income, but the only reliable measure of living costs is how they compare with typical income. Average wages differ greatly between Spain and the UK, as shown in the following table.

Bear in mind that working hours in Spain are longer. A full-time job is 40 hours a week, unlikethe UK's standard 35 hours. This means wages would be lower in Spain based upon UK hours. Taxes are slightly higher for employees in Spain. In the UK, a minimum-wage earner takes home 89% of their gross salary, whilst a Spanish worker takes home 87%.

Sources: National Institute of Statistics (INE) and Annual Survey for Hours and Earnings (ASHE)

What lifestyle would typical wages in Spain vs UK offer?

Based upon a childless couple or a single person not living in ultra-high price areas (Madrid or Barcelona, for Spain, or London, home counties or big city centres in the UK), you can expect:

• Spain: An above-average, but not high, earner in Spain (€1,800 to €2,500 a month) would lead a comfortable life in most cases. A couple each earning this would enjoy a very high standard of living. High-level comfort usually means earning a minimum of €1,500 a month in addition to housing costs (rent, mortgage, associated insurance, and community maintenance fees).
• UK: The MIS 2023-2024 report considers earnings of 100-140% of the UK mean average to be 'a good salary' that allows a single person to cover their living costs. A comfortable lifestyle, but less luxurious than the same level would afford in Spain.
• Spain: A lower-average earner – about halfway between the minimum and mean average wage (€1,350 to €1,560 a month) would be able to 'get by', with a few treats and some capacity for emergencies. They could afford to save up for occasional luxuries, socialise regularly and go on a standard annual holiday – what would be termed a 'survival-plus' lifestyle. 'Survival-plus' living means earning around €1,000 to €1,250 a month in addition to housing costs as described above.
• UK: The MIS 2023-2024 report considers this to be the 'minimally-acceptable standard' of living, for which you would need at least £28,000 (€33,470) a year, or a monthly take-home pay of £1,973 (€2,360). This is 94.4% of the median average income.
• Spain: A couple with a modest mortgage can manage in reasonable comfort if they each earn minimum wage, but a single person would struggle. A person earning €800 or €900 a month in addition to housing costs would be in this position.
• UK: Minimum-wage earners typically have to rent a small room in a shared house or live with their parents to survive, and do not run a car. Depending upon your circumstances, you would probably qualify for State benefits. Most minimum-wage earners work several jobs, far exceeding the EU maximum hours (48 per week), just to scrape by. A couple each earning minimum wage would just about manage, but with a very basic standard of living. Conversely, the UK minimum wage would afford a very comfortable lifestyle indeed if you lived on it in Spain.

If you've decided it's time to see for yourself how you can live better in Spain than in the UK for the same money, you might be wondering: What's life really like for expats in Spain? Luckily, our article here will give you a clearer idea.