The quality-of-life pick: beach, sun, a huge park through the city centre and costs well below Madrid or Barcelona. A favourite of relocating families and nomads alike.
What it costs to live in Valencia
A one-bed runs around EUR 750 a month, roughly 25% below the national baseline for Spain, which is a large part of why people look here instead of the capital. Across the 60 EU cities we profile, that lands Valencia in the middle of the range.
Against a typical net salary in Spain of about EUR 1,600, that is roughly 47% of take-home pay going on rent alone. City wages usually run above the national figure, so treat this as the cautious end.
What the economy runs on
Port, services, growing remote scene.
Valencia suits remote and freelance workers, since the country is set up for them, but the rent means you want income that is already established rather than a first freelance year.
How far English gets you
English works in international offices, with younger people and in the centre of Valencia, but shops, tradespeople and anything official will expect Spanish.
Valencia rates 60/100 for English, broadly in line with Spain as a whole at 55/100. There is a fuller breakdown on the English in Spain page.
What day-to-day life leans on
Spain scores 82/100 for nightlife nationally, though it concentrates heavily in the capital, so treat that as the ceiling rather than what Valencia itself offers.
Worth weighing
Local salaries are modest; best with outside income.
Valencia is the cheapest of the cities we cover in Spain. For comparison: Madrid (about EUR 1,000 a month), Barcelona (about EUR 1,050 a month) and Málaga (about EUR 850 a month).
City picked, country still open? See the full Spain overview including cost of living, safety, healthcare and the path to residence, or compare Spain with other EU countries.