Cost of living in Valencia: let’s analyze below the costs of food, real estate, entertainment and transport in Valencia, Spain
Are you considering moving or visiting Valencia, Spain? Check below the data for the cost of living in Valencia, the third biggest city in Spain.
Cost of Living in Valencia, Spain
Valencia is the third largest city of Spain in terms of Population. This Spanish city is probably one of the most underrated in the country, it offers a good quality of life and great business opportunities, for a considerably lower cost of living than in cities like Madrid or Barcelona.
Just like Barcelona, Valencia is a city on the Mediterranean coast of Spain. Valencia is also the capital of the Valencian Community, an autonomous community of Spain like many others in the country, such as Catalonia or Andalusia.
Valencia has a pretty dynamic economy, with one of the most important ports in the Mediterranean sea. The city is also an important tourism hub in Spain, yet being considerably more affordable than other destinations in the country.
The capital of the Valencian Community has a relatively affordable overall cost of living when compared to other European cities with similar population. The city is also considerably cheaper to rent than many other cities in Spain, including Madrid and Bilbao.
Let’s check some data for the cost of living in Valencia, Spain below:
The currency in Spain is the euro. The conversion rate to the EUR is 1 US dollar to 0.94 EUR as of April 25, 2024.
If you want to suggest your own values based on your experiences in this city, click on edit and insert the values. Upon moderation they will be calculated to make part of the average prices displayed below.
| Food | Price [EDIT] |
|---|---|
| 1 liter of milk | 1.20 USD |
| 1 loaf of bread | 1.50 USD |
| 1 kg of tomatoes | 2.70 USD |
| 1 kg of chicken | 6.50 USD |
| 1 single meal cheap restaurant | 10.00 USD |
| 1 single meal high-end restaurant | 27.00 USD |
| 1 cappuccino or latte | 2.50 USD |
| 1 big pizza delivery | 17.00 USD |
| Real Estate | Price [EDIT] |
| 1 bedroom flat (40 m2) rent per month | 750.00 USD |
| 1 bedroom flat (40 m2) utilities per month | 130.00 USD |
| 2 bedroom flat (80 m2) rent per month | 1,250.00 USD |
| 2 bedroom flat (80 m2) utilities per month | 170.00 USD |
| Price per square meter (city center) | 2,200.00 USD |
| Transport | Price [EDIT] |
| 1 single ride public transport | 1.90 USD |
| Monthly public transport ticket | 55.00 USD |
| 1 km taxi or similar transport app | 6.00 USD |
| 1 liter of gasoline (1/4 gallon) | 1.85 USD |
| Toyota Corolla (new) basic version | 22,847.00 USD |
| Salaries | Price [EDIT] |
| Minimum Salary | 1,200.00 USD |
| Average Salary (net) | 1,475.00 USD |
| Extras | Price [EDIT] |
| 1 ticket to the movies (adult price) | 12.00 USD |
| High speed internet per month | 40.00 USD |
| 1 month gym subscription | 35.00 USD |
Cost of Living for Students in Valencia, Spain
Valencia has a highly developed education infrastructure, with a number of offers in different degree fields and levels. It is important to note that most studying programs offered in Valencia, regardless of the type of diploma are available in Spanish.
As Spanish is one of the most spoken languages on the planet, there are also a good number of school teaching Spanish as a second language. In this sense, Valencia can be a great option to learn Spanish, especially considering its lower cost of living.
Cost of living for students in Valencia is considerably lower than in Madrid, Barcelona or Bilbao. It is however comparable to other Spanish cities like Seville, Zaragoza or Malaga. One of the main costs for students in Valencia is the accommodation.
Here are some of the main higher education institutions in Valencia:
Universidad Carlos III de Madrid
Getting a Job in Madrid
Valencia, as most of Spain, still has unemployment rates above the average for the European Union. The city is highly focused in the services industry, with many jobs being related to tourism and hospitality. Most jobs in Valencia will require fluency in Spanish, and there are not man offers for jobs that do not require it.
Salaries in Valencia are somewhat lower than in Madrid or Barcelona. But, as the cost of living in also lower, Valencia might be a great option, for both unskilled and skilled workers. However, skilled workers will tend to find more offers in the capital than in Valencia.
Here are some websites for job hunting in Spain:
Quality of Life in Madrid
Valencia has a very high quality of life. Among its highlights, easy access to amazing sandy beaches, a great transport infrastructure, and a relatively relaxed atmosphere.
Climate is also a positive aspect of Valencia. It has very mild winters, and in summer, due to its access to the sea, it is slightly less hot than the capital Madrid.
Finally, Valencia is a pretty accessible city. It is connected to Madrid by high speed rail, in a trip that takes about two hours. The Valencia Airport has a good offer of flights to many European and North Africa destinations. It is also possible to travel from Valencia to the Balearic Islands by ferry.
If you are visiting Spain soon you may want to check some of our other guide to the country. Check the where to stay in Valencia and our article on how to travel from Madrid to Valencia. You can also check our post on the average and minimum salary in Madrid and the where to stay in Barcelona.
Other Resources for Expats and Travelers
Salaries Worldwide: check our articles on wages worldwide and understand better the economics of the countries you may be considering to move or invest.
Retire Abroad: check our retirement guides and maximize your retirement income and quality of life.
Jetradar: compare and find the cheapest air fares worldwide.