Madrid vs Bilbao
Select two cities to discover the difference in rent, groceries, transport and utility prices.
Living in Bilbao 17% cheaper than in Madrid
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Looking for housing or services in Bilbao?
Browse current rental listings, jobs and verified professionals on the ILS platform.
Spain Visa Income Requirements (2026)
For the Spain Digital Nomad Visa, the legal requirement is 200% of the Spanish minimum wage (approx. €2,646 / month). For Non-Lucrative Visa (No Lucrativa), it is 400% of IPREM (approx. €2,400 / month).
Popular City Comparisons
Explore how other Spanish relocation hubs compare in rental prices, groceries, and living standards.
Data Sources & Accuracy
Average rental prices are calculated from ILS platform listings and official price statistics across Spain's autonomous communities. Data is updated monthly.
How accurate are the cost of living prices in the calculator?
Our prices are compiled from real market listings on the ILS platform, official price benchmarks from Spain's National Statistics Institute (INE), and verified local supermarket and utility rates. We update the index monthly.
Which Spanish cities are the cheapest to live in?
Among popular relocation destinations, Torrevieja, Alicante, and Seville offer significantly lower rental and living expenses (20% to 35% cheaper than Madrid and Barcelona) while maintaining high Mediterranean quality of life.
What monthly budget is needed for a Digital Nomad in Spain?
A comfortable solo lifestyle in cities like Valencia or Malaga generally requires €1,800 to €2,300 per month including apartment rental, dining, coworking, and utilities. In Madrid and Barcelona, the average is €2,300 to €2,900.
How does apartment rent compare between Madrid and Barcelona?
Both capitals have Spain's highest rental rates. Barcelona averages around €1,250 for a 1-bedroom apartment in the center, while Madrid averages €1,200. Suburb rentals and shared rooms are very similar in both cities.
