Here is a closer look at what living in Spain actually costs: what people typically earn, what rent looks like, and how far everyday money goes. These are MoveMap's rough, illustrative estimates to help you get oriented, not official statistics. Always confirm the specifics with official sources before you act.
Typical income
A typical net (take-home) salary in Spain is around €1600 a month in MoveMap's model. Pay is usually higher in the capital and in fields like tech, finance and engineering, and lower in smaller towns and public-facing roles.
Remote workers earning from abroad often find their money stretches further here than at home, which is a big part of why Spain draws relocators.
Rent and housing
A one-bedroom flat runs about €1000 a month as a rough solo-renter figure, more in the centre of the main city and less in smaller towns or a shared flat. The rental market is tight, so good places go fast and it pays to line up viewings before you arrive.
Buying is a longer game: budget for agency fees, taxes and, for non-residents, sometimes extra paperwork or restrictions. Many newcomers rent for the first year while they learn the neighbourhoods.
Everyday spending
On MoveMap's 0-100 cost index (lower is cheaper), Spain scores 60, which is around to a little above the EU average. Groceries, transport and eating out broadly track that: prices are broadly middle-of-the-road for the EU, with the capital pricier than the regions.
How Spain compares
Across the 27 EU countries, Spain is the 15th cheapest overall in this model. That is broadly middle-of-the-pack for the EU.