Yes, cheap places to live in Spain do actually exist.
Are you ready for the thrills and spills that come with living in Spain? From the Spanish attractions to the distinct culture, there’s always something exciting happening.
But one of the best parts about living abroad is the surprisingly low cost of living in certain areas!
When you think of Western Europe, more often than not you think of how expensive it can be – big city life, designer shopping, and expensive restaurants. But the truth is, there are cheap places to live in Spain that can provide you with a comfortable lifestyle for a fraction of the price.
If you’re thinking of moving abroad to the vibrant country of España but don’t quite have the budget for the large cities, here are 10 cheap places to live in Spain and all of their cheap living expenses broken down.
Get ready for an adventure that won’t break your budget!
In this post, you'll find...
Is Spain affordable to live in?
Absolutely – and you don’t have to sacrifice comfort to save a few Euros. Compared to other countries in Europe, you can find some great deals in the cheap cities of Spain.
On average, Spain is known to be one of the cheapest countries in the EU.
Average monthly cost of living in Spain
Of course, this will vary depending on where you choose to live. In general, the cost of living is much lower in rural areas than in large metropolitan cities such as Barcelona or Madrid.
In the bigger cities, you can expect to pay a minimum of €1400 per month on rent, groceries, eating out, and entertainment as a single person. However, your wallet can take a break in the smaller cities, where you can easily get by on around €1000 per month or less.
What is the cheapest province of Spain to live in?
The cheapest province in Spain to live in is known to be the Andalucia province, located in the southern region. Here, you can find cheap cities such as Almeria, Malaga and Granada with an average cost of living that is significantly lower than most other places in Spain.
Top 7 cheapest places to live in Spain
7. Valencia
Located in the east of Spain, Valencia is the third largest city in the country and boasts beautiful beaches, stunning architecture, and vibrant nightlife.
For a small one-bedroom apartment in the center of the city, you can expect to pay around €775 per month. If you’re willing to live a bit on the outskirts of town, you can find apartments for rent for around €600 per month or less.
The climate in Valencia is Mediterranean, with hot summers and mild winters. This Spanish city is well known for its rich culture and gastronomy. You’ll find plenty of things to do in Valencia, such as exploring the city’s old town or taking in some of Europe’s finest art galleries.
There are plenty of other fun things to do in Valencia as well, such as taking in a football match or going on a boat tour of the city’s old port. Valencia is also home to some of the coolest attractions to visit in Spain – you’ll never run out of things to do here!
Valencia is quite cheap when it comes to groceries – expect to pay around €35-45 for a week’s worth of groceries. The average monthly cost of living in Valencia is around €1100-€1200, making it an ideal choice for those looking for cheap places to live in Spain.
6. Granada
Located in the south of Spain, Granada is one of the most popular destinations for those looking for cheap places to live in Spain near the sea. The city has a warm climate, with temperatures rarely dropping below 20 degrees Celsius even during winter months.
Granada is also known for its beautiful architecture and stunning views – it’s a great place to explore historical monuments and take in some of Spain’s most beautiful landscapes. The city is also well known for its vibrant nightlife and delicious tapas.
It’s also the perfect place to try some of the local Spanish dishes like gazpacho, paella, and ‘La tortilla del Sacromonte’ (a type of omelette made with sweetbreads and ham).
Best of all, there are plenty of free Granada activities to enjoy that’ll help you enjoy your time here while still staying within your budget. Exploring the Alhambra fortified hilltop, taking a stroll through the Catedral de Granada, and catching the sunset at the Mirador de San Nicolas overlook are just a few of the free activities that Granada has to offer.
Rent prices are quite cheap here – expect to pay around €420-€550 for a small one-bedroom flat. Groceries are also cheap, with average prices around €20-€25 for a week’s worth.
The average monthly cost of living in Granada is around €950-€1000, making it one of the cheapest cities to live in Spain.
5. Alicante
Alicante is located on the Mediterranean coast of Spain, making it an ideal cheap place to live if you’re looking for some sunshine.
The climate here is mild year-round, with temperatures rarely dropping below 59 degrees Fahrenheit in winter months. For those of you who hate the cold and snow, Alicante is definitely the place to be!
This seaside city has plenty of things to do such as exploring the old town, trying out some delicious local seafood dishes, or taking a stroll along the beachfront promenade.
There are also plenty of cheap activities in Alicante to keep you entertained without breaking the bank – touring the Museo de Hogueras or relaxing on the beach at Playa de San Juan are two great options, for starters.
There are also a few free walking tours of the old town available most days of the week.
Rent prices in Alicante are cheap – expect to pay around €400-€500 for a small one-bedroom flat. Groceries are also fairly affordable as well, with average prices around €20-€25 for a week’s worth. The average monthly cost of living in Alicante is around €950-€1050, making it one of the most affordable places to live in Spain.
4. Cordoba, Andalucia
Cordoba, located in the Southern Spanish region of Andalucia, is known for its unique culture and architecture. It’s a great cheap place to live in Spain if you’re looking for a mix of hot summers and mild winters.
During the summer months, temperatures average around 86 degrees Fahrenheit, while winter months bring cooler temperatures that rarely drop below 59 degrees Fahrenheit.
Cordoba is also famous for its beautiful gardens, impressive architecture, and of course, its delicious food. It was once an important Roman city and a major Islamic center in the Middle Ages. Today, the stunning architecture reflects its long history, making it a great place to explore and learn about Spanish culture.
You can explore the old town and the famous Mezquita mosque without spending a dime – both are free to visit. There are also plenty of cheap tapas bars in Cordoba where you can try out some of the local dishes like salmorejo (a type of gazpacho) and carrillada (pork cheeks cooked in a tomato sauce).
When it comes to renting, expect to pay around €600-€650 for a small one-bedroom flat. Groceries can be found fairly cheap as well since there are a lot of Farmer’s markets and cheap supermarkets in the city. The average monthly cost of living in Cordoba is around €1000-€1100.
3. Malaga
Malaga, which is also located in the Andalucia province, is actually the fifth most-expensive city in Spain. Even still, it’s still cheap enough to make it onto my list of the top 10 cheapest places to live in Spain.
This coastal city is known for its Mediterranean climate – with hot summers and mild winters – so if you’re looking for some sunshine, Malaga is definitely the place to be.
It also has a long history dating back to the Bronze Age and is home to some of the most impressive monuments in Spain, including the 11th-century Gibralfaro castle.
Malaga has plenty of things to do for any budget. Take a stroll around its cobblestone streets to explore its rich history or head to one of the nearby beaches for an afternoon tanning session.
A visit to the Alcazaba fortress or a cheap tapas tour of the city are also great options for cheap activities in Malaga.
Rent prices here can be a bit pricier – expect to pay around €750-€850 for a small one-bedroom flat – but you can still find cheap eats and groceries in the city.
A three-course meal at an average restaurant in the city will only run you around €25 per person, which is still very cheap by Spanish standards.
The average monthly cost of living in Malaga is around €1200-€1400.
2. Seville
Seville is known as the cultural capital of Andalucia and is one of the most popular cheap places to live in Spain. Located on the banks of the Guadalquivir River, Seville enjoys both hot summers and mild winters with temperatures rarely dropping below 59 degrees Fahrenheit.
This means you can enjoy the sun pretty much all year round, which is a win for me!
This vibrant city has plenty of cheap activities to do such as exploring the Real Alcazar Palace, climbing the Giralda Tower, or taking a stroll along the banks of the Guadalquivir River. Seville is also known for its delicious food, so be sure to try out some of the cheap tapas bars in town and sample some local dishes like patatas bravas and jamón serrano.
I recommend taking a food tour of the city to really get a feel for the local cuisine – it’s cheap and oh-so delicious!
Related read: The Ultimate 2-Day Seville Itinerary
Rent prices in Seville are relatively cheap, with an average one-bedroom flat in the city center costing around €600-€650.
If you plan to live outside of the center, you can easily find a small apartment for around €500 per month, and you can expect to pay even less if you’re in an apartment share with roommates.
Considering how cheap groceries are in Spain, you can easily get away with spending around €25-€30 per week on food. According to Numbeo, the average monthly cost of living in Seville is around €1000-€1100 – which is not bad at all for a European city as vibrant and beautiful as this one!
So, what is the cheapest place to live in Spain?
1. Santa Cruz de Tenerife (#1 Cheapest place to live in Spain)
To answer that, we’ll head over to the beautiful beach town of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Believe it or not, you could live in this Canary Island capital for as little as €800-€850 per month!
Santa Cruz de Tenerife has a year-round warm climate and an abundance of cheap things to do for tourists and locals alike. Take a walk along the promenade, visit one of the nearby beaches, or go snorkeling in the crystal clear waters – it’s all cheap but still so fun!
The city also has a vibrant nightlife with cheap bars, pubs, and clubs located all over town. If you’re looking for something more cultural, the nearby Museo de Bellas Artes is another cheap option – admission is only €2 per person!
As far as rent prices go, you can easily find cheap one-bedroom apartments in the city center for around €670 per month. Groceries and clothing shopping tend to be just slightly more expensive here, as most items have to be imported from the mainland.
However, you can still find cheap eats and cheap shopping options throughout the city if you know where to look.
Overall, the average monthly cost of living in Santa Cruz de Tenerife is around €900-€1000 per month – which is quite cheap by European standards and especially for an island town.
Final thoughts about cheap places to live in Spain
There you have it – ten cheap places to live in Spain. From the vibrant beaches of the Canary Islands to the lively streets of Madrid, there’s something for everyone in this diverse country.
A lot of these places may not seem that “cheap” depending on where you’re from, but when it comes to Spain’s standards (and Europe overall), they are definitely cheap!
And of course, there are always ways to cut back and save money, so if you’re looking for cheap places to live in Spain, these are definitely worth considering. Just remember to research and budget accordingly before making any big decisions!
Good luck on your cheap Spanish adventure – Happy travels and buen provecho!
FAQ about living in Spain
Hi, I’m Tiana – founder of and author here at Where Tiana Travels. I’m a 20-something with a love for all things travel, photography, and food. I have been living abroad for the past 5 years and solo traveling the globe in my free time. I created this blog to share my travel stories and inspire other women to go out and see the world. Read more about me here!
Aysha
Thursday 6th of July 2023
Hello Tiana, how ironic that you wrote this article and I came across it due to my google search: "cheap places to live in Spain"! Great timing! I'm currently in Valencia and finding an apartment under 1500 euro with all utilities at this time has been difficult. It doesn't help that the timing of me searching and hoping to secure the apartment is 1 week apart. I'd imagine if I'd locked it in before busy season it wouldn't be as difficult and more affordable options would be more available. The numbers you gave are closer to what I was aiming for and expecting. I will say another hurdle I've run into with some properties is short-term leasing requiring no less than 6 months and though you can rent for less, the price will be much higher than the advertised price. For instance a couple apartments I have inquired about were 1300-1500 based on 6 month commitment (though this criteria was not advertised), but for a 1 month commitment the rate is 3000. Yes! I was shocked and this is me still not content with the listed rate. The search continues and I have little time to make it happen because the hotels are getting expensive and rental demand is high. I wonder how things have panned out for you and where you've settled in Spain...