Question
We are loving our stay in Spain. The slower pace of life, beautiful beaches, and helpful people are wonderful. However, I feel like a large percentage of people always brag about how cheap the cost of living is here.
I’ve heard people saying you could get entire meals for five dollars for lunch or breakfast. This hasn’t really been my experience, especially with grocery shopping. Getting breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the grocery store for a couple of days for my family is running me about the same price as it would in America.
The restaurants are also not necessarily cheap, but the food quality is extremely good and everything is amazing. Just wondering other people’s experiences, is it just people talking about rent which is cheaper here because that definitely is the case.
But I always hear people talk about how cheap the food is and I’m just not seeing how that adds up. Anyone else have experience with this? For context, we’re in a pretty rural town in the northwest part of Spain in Galicia, not even in a major city.
Answers
These are the answers of Spainguru’s Facebook group members:
“I completely agree with you, but be prepared for others in this group to disagree strongly. We’re near Málaga and I would say our grocery bills are comparable to those near DC in the US.
Maybe a little less, definitely better quality food though. Restaurant meals vary a lot. We can get a small breakfast (toast with tomato and tuna + coffee, for example) for around 5 euros. You can get a decent menu del día for around 13 euros, but not all restaurants offer it. Dinner tends to be closer to 20-25 euros per person.”
“Just as anywhere, it depends on what you eat and where you go. At grocery stores, wine, cheese etc. can add up quickly. Restaurants mom and pop away from downtown or tourist areas are the way to go. Get the vino de la casa vs bottle for wine. Tapas restaurants always seem to add up quickly.”
“Healthcare is less costly. Public transport is widely available. Trains and planes offer less costly options to other cities and countries. There are many low cost and no cost places of interest to see and entertain yourselves with.
Seasonal foods at the public markets, breads at the panadería, etc. are generally less expensive. Examine what you’re purchasing. Are they packaged foods? Non-Spanish foods? Frozen or ready-made foods?
Foods like lentejas, arroz, seasonal fish, local meats and veggies shouldn’t break the bank. Spain offers a good deal of value. Isn’t that your experience overall?”
“This is my memory from 25 years ago. Maybe there are some bars where locals frequent that are economical but the renovated establishments that Americans tend to prefer have updated prices perhaps on par with Tampa but still less than LA or New York.”
“Are you eating like an American or like a Spaniard? This will really change the amount spent!”
“Dinner is not the most important meal for Spaniards. Lunch is. It’s often the largest meal and the least expensive. So cultural adjustments must be made.”
“I’ve found dirt cheap gems with exceptional food and goods in smaller pueblos.”
“Groceries are cheaper here. Bread, milk, eggs, meat, fish, rice, etc. are cheaper. Buying from local bakeries is better. Menu del día runs between 7-26€ and usually includes several courses and a drink.”
“Food prices have risen considerably in recent years.”
“You seem to be shopping at high-end places, to me it’s half of the states.”
“Restaurant prices are far cheaper than what you pay in most local restaurants in the U.S. If you want cheaper you go to McD’s.”
“It’s easy to spend $30 for 2 ‘value meals’ at Mc D’s these days.”
“In Bay Area CA, the equivalent to 25-30 Euros is high for a Thursday afternoon lunch.”
“At Navarro in Sant Francesc, there is not a single main dish over €29. That would be $33 for a 12-ounce steak including tax and no tip in DC? Impossible.”
“If you’re someone who eats out in restaurants a lot, Spain is definitely cheaper. If you’re cooking and eating at home, it’s about the same.”
“California is really expensive. Northern Spain can be expensive, but the cost of living is still much less than California. We spend more for a high quality of life and it’s still less.”
“Restaurants in Gijón are shockingly way more expensive than in San Sebastián or Bilbao. Even hole-in-the-wall places charge 15-18€ per tapa.”
“Menu del día in Galicia is about 10€ -15€ for a full three-course meal.”
“Two people with drinks, lunch in Toledo runs about €20 or less. Groceries are about half what we paid in the States.”
“It depends on what you buy. If you buy American or processed foods, it can be expensive. Local fresh food is much cheaper.”
“In NYC groceries are three times the cost. Avoid high-end stores like Super Cor and go to Mercadona, Alcampo, or Lidl.”
“Fresh produce, eggs, bread, meat, and seafood are notably cheaper. Processed and imported items drive up bills.”
“Our groceries went from €415 in 2018 to about €465 now for two people, including 20 bottles of wine. In Tampa, it was $900/month.”
“Wine is way more affordable here. Menu del día is 11.50-14 euros in Madrid, 10 in Galicia.”
“The cost of living is significantly better—housing, transportation, and healthcare offer massive savings.”
“Living like a local helps. Avoid touristy areas and imported brands.”
“People may be misled if they expect a $5 lunch. That might only be possible in places like Granada, where tapas are free with drinks.”
Conclusion
The Spainguru community offers a wide range of perspectives, but several clear takeaways emerge. While rent, healthcare, and transport are generally much more affordable in Spain than in the U.S., grocery and dining costs are more nuanced.
Grocery shopping can be comparable to U.S. costs, especially if you buy imported or processed foods, or shop in upscale supermarkets. However, many residents report significantly lower bills when they shop locally, focus on seasonal items, and avoid tourist-targeted vendors.
Dining out, particularly with Spain’s generous “menú del día,” is still widely seen as a good value—especially since tax and tips are included.
It’s also important to understand regional and cultural differences. Rural Galicia is different from Valencia, and eating like a Spaniard can stretch your budget further than following American habits abroad.
To help you plan ahead, we recommend watching this video where Bruno from Spainguru breaks down three budget scenarios for living in Spain. He explains how your cost of living can vary depending on your lifestyle, and why building a realistic and robust budget before relocating is essential.
For anyone considering a move to Spain, using tools like Numbeo.com can help compare cost-of-living data across cities and countries.
And don’t forget to consult with a professional—tax advisors listed on Spainguru.es can guide you through the financial and tax implications of your move.
Summary Table of Key Takeaways
| Aspect | Insight |
|---|---|
| Grocery Costs | Can be comparable to U.S. if buying imported goods or shopping in high-end stores |
| Local Groceries | Seasonal produce, meat, and basics are significantly cheaper when bought locally |
| Dining Out | Menú del día offers excellent value (€10–€20 with multiple courses) |
| Wine and Alcohol | Considerably cheaper than in the U.S., especially in supermarkets |
| Rent | Generally much cheaper than in the U.S., even in coastal towns |
| Healthcare | Public and private options are far more affordable |
| Transportation | Public transit is reliable and inexpensive |
| Regional Variations | Prices vary greatly between cities and regions (e.g., Madrid vs Galicia) |
| Cultural Habits | Adopting a Spanish lifestyle can lead to greater savings |
| Financial Planning | Robust budgeting and consulting with tax advisors is strongly recommended |
🇪🇸 Spain Cost of Living – May 2025 (Numbeo.com)
| Category | Item | Average Cost (€) | Price Range (€) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Estimated Monthly Costs | Single person (excluding rent) | 717.6 | — |
| Family of four (excluding rent) | 2,541.0 | — | |
| Restaurants | Meal (Inexpensive) | 14.00 | 10.00–20.00 |
| 3-course meal for 2 (Mid-range) | 50.00 | 35.00–80.00 | |
| McMeal (McDonald’s or similar) | 9.00 | 8.00–12.00 | |
| Groceries | Milk (1L) | 1.04 | 0.85–1.32 |
| Eggs (12) | 2.60 | 1.60–3.80 | |
| Chicken fillets (1kg) | 7.27 | 4.00–10.00 | |
| Apples (1kg) | 2.11 | 1.20–3.00 | |
| Bread (500g) | 1.34 | 0.80–3.00 | |
| Transport | Public transport (monthly pass) | 30.00 | 20.00–52.00 |
| Taxi (per km) | 1.30 | 0.99–2.85 | |
| Gasoline (1L) | 1.55 | 1.40–1.75 | |
| Utilities | Basic for 85m² apartment | 129.51 | 80.00–212.50 |
| Internet (60 Mbps+, unlimited) | 29.44 | 20.00–45.00 | |
| Childcare & Schooling | Private preschool (monthly) | 445.64 | 300.00–760.00 |
| International school (yearly) | 8,581.08 | 6,000.00–14,500.00 | |
| Rent (Per Month) | 1-bed apartment (city center) | 920.41 | 600.00–1,500.00 |
| 3-bed apartment (outside center) | 1,071.97 | 700.00–1,800.00 | |
| Salaries | Average monthly net salary | 1,711.79 | — |
According to Numbeo, the cost of living in Spain is approximately 34–40% lower than in the United States, depending on the city. Rent in Spain is typically 50–60% cheaper than in major U.S. cities like New York, Los Angeles, or San Francisco.
