top of page
Search

Financial Reality Check for Life on the Costa Blanca, Real Cost of Living in Spain in 2025.

Updated: Nov 21

Spain Isn't Universally Cheap: It's Differently Balanced


"Is Spain cheap?" is the wrong question. The real question is: "What do you get for your money in different areas—and what does your lifestyle actually cost?"


Whether Spain will feel expensive or affordable depends entirely on where you're coming from. For someone relocating from London or New York, Costa Blanca offers exceptional value. For those moving from Eastern Europe or Latin America, prices may seem higher than expected. The key isn't comparing Spain to your home country—it's understanding what your money actually buys here.


This guide provides verified 2025 prices across all major expense categories—housing, food, transport, healthcare, schools, and leisure—so you can compare these figures with what you're used to paying and make informed decisions about your budget.


Spain isn't universally cheap. It's differently balanced. Seasonal fruit from the market: cheaper. International school: more expensive. Terrace coffee: same price, but you're under palm trees instead of in a mall. Monthly rent in Torrevieja vs Villamartín: wildly different for similar lifestyle.


Understanding the true cost of living in Costa Blanca requires precision, not assumptions. And it requires understanding that your costs depend entirely on how you live, not generic averages.


Costa Blanca Cost of Living: 2025 Verified Data


According to comprehensive 2025 cost-of-living analysis, average monthly costs for a single person in Costa Blanca range from €1,500–€2,000, including rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and modest entertainment. This is a comfortable but not extravagant budget.


For families or those seeking a more exclusive lifestyle, budgets increase accordingly. A family of four typically requires €3,000–€4,500 per month, depending on school choices, housing size, and leisure activities.


Housing Costs: The Biggest Variable


Rental Market:

  • Torrevieja: 1-bedroom apartment €500–€700/month; property prices €2,282/m² (September 2025, up 13.6% year-on-year)

  • Orihuela Costa: 1-bedroom apartment €600–€800/month; property prices €1,200–€1,900/m²

  • Villamartín (inland): Similar rental range €600–€800/month; property prices €1,500–€2,200/m²

  • Premium coastal areas (Cabo Roig, La Zenia beachfront): €900–€1,400/month for quality 2-bedroom; property prices €2,000–€2,800/m²


Purchase Costs:

Costa Blanca South remains significantly more affordable than Costa Blanca North premium zones:

  • Torrevieja, Orihuela Costa, Villamartín: €1,200–€2,500/m²

  • Jávea, Moraira, Calpe (Costa Blanca North): €3,000–€5,000/m²

  • Barcelona or Madrid city centres: €4,000–€6,500/m²


Even within Costa Blanca South, micro-location drives price. Beachfront properties command 30–50% premiums over inland properties 2 km away.


Utilities and Internet


Utilities (electricity, water, heating, rubbish collection) average €100–€150/month for a typical 2–3 bedroom home. Spain's Mediterranean climate keeps heating costs moderate, though summer air conditioning and winter heating create seasonal peaks. Properties with large gardens or private pools incur higher water and electricity bills.


Internet and mobile connectivity is excellent and affordable: high-speed fibre internet costs €30–€50/month, mobile plans €10–€30/month.


Food and Groceries


Grocery costs in Costa Blanca 2025 (verified sample prices):

  • Water (1.5L bottle): €0.65

  • White bread (500g): €1.00

  • White rice (1kg): €1.20

  • Whole milk (1L): €0.90

  • Dozen eggs: €2.50

  • Chicken fillets (1kg): €6.00

  • Onion (1kg): €1.40

  • Potatoes (1kg): €1.20

  • Bananas (1kg): €1.60


Monthly grocery budget for one person: €200–€300. For a family of four: €500–€700.


Eating out varies dramatically:

  • Menú del día (3-course lunch with drink at local Spanish restaurant): €10–€15

  • Casual beachfront restaurant (main course): €12–€20

  • Mid-range dinner for two with wine: €40–€70

  • Premium dining: €80–€150 for two


Transport


Costa Blanca South is car-dependent outside Torrevieja city centre. Owning a car is essential for most residents.

  • Petrol: €1.50–€1.70/litre (2025)

  • Car insurance: €400–€800/year depending on vehicle and driver profile

  • Road tax (Impuesto de Circulación): €50–€150/year depending on vehicle

  • ITV (vehicle inspection): €50 every 1–2 years depending on vehicle age


Public transport exists but is limited. Bus routes connect Torrevieja, Orihuela Costa, and surrounding towns, with single fares around €1.50–€3.00. Alicante airport is 45–60 minutes by car from most Costa Blanca South locations.


Healthcare


Spain's public healthcare system (Sistema Nacional de Salud) is world-class and free at point of use for residents contributing to social security. For non-working residents (retirees, remote workers not employed in Spain), private health insurance is required for residency and costs €50–€150/month depending on age and coverage level.


Private healthcare is excellent and affordable compared to UK/US costs. GP visits: €50–€80. Specialist consultations: €80–€150. Many expats use a hybrid model: public system for major issues, private for routine care.


Schools and Education


Spanish state schools: Free (funded through taxes), excellent for language immersion and integration.


International schools (British curriculum, IB programmes): €800–€1,200+ per month per child. This is often the single largest expense for expat families.


School transport: If not within catchment, expect €50–€150/month per child for private school transport.


For families with multiple children, international school fees can exceed €30,000/year—a massive cost that must be factored into financial planning.


Leisure and Entertainment


Costa Blanca offers excellent value for leisure:

  • Gym membership: €30–€50/month

  • Cinema ticket: €5–€10

  • Beach clubs/day passes: €10–€30

  • Golf (18 holes): €40–€80 depending on course

  • Padel court hire: €10–€20/hour


Taxes and Ongoing Property Costs


Owning property in Spain incurs annual costs:

  • IBI (Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles): Annual property tax, typically €300–€800/year depending on cadastral value

  • Community fees (gastos de comunidad): €50–€200/month for apartments/townhouses in managed urbanisations

  • Rubbish collection tax (tasa de basura): €50–€150/year

  • Non-resident income tax (IRNR): If you're non-resident and own property, you pay annual tax on deemed rental income even if you don't rent it out (typically €200–€500/year)


Cost of Living: Torrevieja vs. Premium Coastal Towns


Comparing Costa Blanca South (affordable) to Costa Blanca North (premium):



Property price per m²:

  • Torrevieja/Orihuela Costa: €1,200–€2,500

  • Jávea/Moraira (Costa Blanca North): €3,000–€5,000


1-bedroom rental per month:

  • Torrevieja/Orihuela Costa: €500–€800

  • Jávea/Moraira: €900–€1,400


Restaurant meal (menú del día):

  • Torrevieja/Orihuela Costa: €11–€17

  • Jávea/Moraira: €15–€25


Community fees per month:

  • Torrevieja/Orihuela Costa: €50–€150

  • Jávea/Moraira: €100–€250


Overall: Torrevieja and Orihuela Costa offer affordable Costa Blanca living. Jávea and Moraira deliver premium coastal lifestyle at higher cost.


What Your Budget Actually Buys


Rather than asking "is it cheap," ask "what does my budget buy here vs there?"


€1,500/month (Torrevieja, single person):

  • 1-bedroom apartment, walking distance to beach

  • Utilities and internet included

  • Groceries, local dining, gym membership

  • Car running costs (insurance, petrol for local driving)

  • Basic healthcare coverage


€3,000/month (Orihuela Costa, couple):

  • 2-bedroom apartment or small townhouse

  • All utilities, internet, modest entertainment

  • Dining out 2–3 times/week

  • Car costs, occasional travel within Spain


€5,000/month (Villamartín/Orihuela Costa, family of four):

  • 3-bedroom villa with pool

  • International school fees for one child (€800–€1,200/month)

  • All living expenses, regular dining out, travel budget

  • Two cars, comprehensive healthcare


The Real Financial Question


The question isn't "will it be cheaper" but "what do I actually get for my money."


If you send us your rough budget and what matters most to you (schools, proximity to sea, quiet, community), we'll map what that really looks like in different areas—not guesses, actual prices and realistic monthly costs.



Recent Posts

See All
Setting Realistic Expectations for Your Spanish Life

Spain Will Change Your Daily Rhythm. It Won’t Change Your Patterns. If you’re moving toward something (more time with family, healthier lifestyle, slower pace), that can happen. If you’re running fro

 
 
 
Investment Strategy for Costa Blanca Property

Costa Blanca Property Is Not a Get-Rich Scheme: It’s Strategic Wealth Building It’s a lifestyle asset that can also build wealth—if you’re thoughtful about it. The question isn’t whether property “alw

 
 
 
Raising Multilingual Children and Choosing Schools

The Family Adaptation Question: Schools, Language, and Belonging Spanish schools are different—not bad, just different. Longer lunches, more outdoor time, looser timekeeping, full language immersion.

 
 
 

Comments

bottom of page