What’s the cost of living in Spain compared to the UK? Check before you move!

In recent years, the cost of living in the UK has soared with rising energy bills, housing costs, and everyday expenses. This has left many people looking for more affordable alternatives abroad. For those considering a move to Europe, one of the biggest factors to weigh up is how far your money will go in your new home.

Spain has been a top destination for UK expats for many years, and continues to be, due to the warm climate, relaxed lifestyle and of course…lower living costs. But how much cheaper really is it to live there? And are there areas where life in Spain might actually cost more?

In this article, we’ll explore how the cost of living in Spain compares to the UK, helping you plan your move with realistic expectations and to make informed financial decisions.

Thinking of making the move yourself? Visit our Removals to Spain page to learn how we can help you start your new life with ease.

Food & Groceries

One thing that you simply cannot do without when it comes to everyday life is food and groceries. This means that both of these things are something that you are going to have to budget for, no matter where you choose to live. 

In Spain, you can expect a monthly grocery bill to be around £300 for a single person. This compares to a similar amount of groceries in the UK at £388. 

If you drill down even further than this into singular items, you can see that the cost of living might not be much different from what you would think. We have compared some commonly bought groceries to highlight the differences in each country:

Grocery Item	UK	Spain
Milk	£1.24	£0.88
Eggs	£2.97	£2.21
Onion	£1.14	£1.40
Rice (1kg)	£1.62	£1.19
Local Cheese (1kg)	£7.17	£10.33
Water (1.5 litre bottle)	£1.13	£0.57
Potato (1kg)	£1.21	£1.32

*All cost comparisons in this table are based on data from Numbeo’s Cost of Living Comparison between the UK and Spain, accessed in May 2025.

When it comes to dining out, Spain offers a range of affordable options. A casual lunch at a local eatery might cost between £10 and £15, and a three-course dinner at a mid-range restaurant typically ranges from £21 to £43 per person. For those seeking fine dining experiences, prices can exceed £86 per person.

In the UK, dining out tends to be more expensive. A meal at a mid-range restaurant can cost between £30 and £50 per person, while high-end dining experiences may range from £50 to £100 or more.

Groceries are an everyday essential that can significantly impact your budget, and in general, food shopping tends to be more affordable in Spain than in the UK. Dining out, while not essential, is also noticeably cheaper, making it easier to enjoy meals out without overspending.

Transport & Commuting 

Being able to get around is another additional cost that many people have to factor into their everyday lives. Some choose a car to be their primary transport method and others may choose to rely on public transport, it really is a matter of how reliable the public transport is in the country and also what they prefer to use. 

In England, the average transport cost each month for one person is £126. This is compared to as little as £63.70 in Spain.

Monthly passes for local transport links in England can cost as much as £62, whilst in Spain they are available at a much more modest £19.54. 

Getting around is a regular expense that depends on your lifestyle and the transport options available. Whether you rely on a car or public transport, costs in Spain are generally lower than in the UK, making everyday travel more affordable for most people.

Entertainment & Leisure 

Life isn’t all about work, so it’s important to budget for how you’ll spend your free time. Entertainment and leisure costs can vary widely depending on your lifestyle, but both Spain and England offer a broad range of activities to enjoy during your downtime.

For example, if you’re into fitness, you’ll find that a monthly gym membership in Spain typically costs around £40, compared to around £25 in England. While the UK may seem cheaper on the surface, it’s worth considering the types of fitness facilities available and how people in each country choose to stay active—some may prefer outdoor exercise or local sports clubs, which can affect overall costs.

If cinema is more your style, ticket prices also vary. In Spain, a regular ticket for an international film averages around £8.07, while in the UK, the same type of ticket will cost closer to £12.

When it comes to nightlife, Spain generally offers more affordable options. A pint of beer in Spain can cost as little as £1.70, whereas in the UK, the average price is around £5.08, with London prices reaching upwards of £7. Club entry fees in Spain are also typically lower, averaging around £9, while in the UK, especially in major cities, entry fees can range from £10 to £20 or more.

Free time is an important part of everyday life, and both Spain and the UK offer a variety of ways to relax and socialise. While some leisure costs, like gym memberships, may be higher in Spain, activities such as going to the cinema or enjoying a night out are generally more affordable compared to the UK.

Education & Childcare Costs

If you're relocating with family, then understanding the costs of the educational and childcare landscape is crucial for budgeting and planning.

State schools are free in the UK and compulsory for children aged 5 to 16, which is also the case in Spain. However, in the UK, private and international schools come with significant fees. For instance, the International School of London charges approximately £27,900 annually for primary years (ages 5–8).

Many expatriate families opt for international schools, which offer curricula in English or other languages. Annual fees for international schools in Spain vary widely, typically ranging from £1,700 to over £17,000, with an average of around £8,050.

Childcare costs differ notably between the two countries:

• United Kingdom: The average annual cost of full-time nursery care for a child under two is approximately £14,836. This figure can be higher in metropolitan areas like London, where daily rates range from £70 to £150. The UK government offers 15 to 30 hours of free childcare per week for eligible children aged three and four, and this is being extended to younger children in stages.

  
  

• Spain: Public nurseries, known as "guarderías," are subsidised, with monthly fees typically between £85 and £255 (dependent on household income and region). Private nurseries are more expensive, ranging from £380 to £765 per month. Additionally, some municipalities offer summer programs at minimal costs; for example, one parent reported paying just £34 for a two-week summer club in Spain, compared to £52 per day for nursery care in Glasgow.

  
  

While both the UK and Spain offer free public education, the costs associated with private or international schooling and childcare can vary significantly. Generally, Spain provides more affordable options for both education and childcare, especially when utilising public services. However, the choice between public and private institutions will depend on individual preferences, language requirements, and specific family needs.

Utilities (Monthly) 

As well as having to budget for costs that are associated with everyday life, such as rent, travelling and food, you are also going to need to think about those pesky bills that come in. 

The basics that need to be accounted for include electricity, heating (or cooling), water and rubbish collection. This, in Spain, for a single person or couple who live in a smaller apartment, will be around £136.33 and in the UK it will be about £201.11. You also need to consider things that are not “vital” but that are still something that you are going to need, such as the Internet, which is typically around £29 per month, no matter which European country you live in (obviosuly depending on what package you go for to fit your requirements).

In addition to everyday expenses like rent, transport, and food, household bills are another key part of your monthly budget. Essential utilities such as electricity, water, and waste collection generally cost less in Spain than in the UK, while internet prices are fairly similar in both countries, depending on your chosen package.

Thinking of Relocating? Here's What to Keep in Mind

As you can see, there’s a lot to think about when comparing the cost of living in Spain with life in the UK. While it’s true that many day-to-day expenses are lower in Spain, it’s important for you to also consider factors like average salaries and job availability when making your decision. The average monthly net salary after tax in the UK is £2,381, whilst in Spain it is almost a grand lower at £1,456. This means that the purchasing power for someone living in Spain is in fact 17.3% lower than the UK.

It is also important to consider the kind of lifestyle you want. Life in Spain is often slower-paced, more relaxed (great for people looking to retire abroad) and places a stronger emphasis on work-life balance—something that can make a big difference to your overall wellbeing (and we don't even need to mention how much more sun you would be getting over there each year).

If you're looking for a change of pace and a better quality of life, Spain could be just what you need, and that’s where we come in. Pinnacle Removals are experts in moving people to destinations across mainland Spain and beyond, including popular hotspots like Alicante, Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia, and Malaga. We also help people relocate to the beautiful Balearic Islands, such as Mallorca and Ibiza, as well as to the sunny Canary Islands, including Tenerife and Gran Canaria.

So contact us today or fill out this form to get a free quote for your move!