Cost of living in Catalonia: what budget should you allow for moving to or staying in?

Catalonia is a region of Spain that many French people dream of, seduced by its sunny climate, vibrant culture, unspoilt nature and tasty cuisine. Whether you're planning to retire here, buy a second home or take a short trip, it's essential to find out about the cost of living in Catalonia, and compare it with the cost of living in France. How much does accommodation, a bottle of water, a meal in a restaurant or a cinema ticket cost in this region? What's the budget for living on the Costa Brava, a paradise for sea and mountain lovers? Immo 365, your estate agency on this beautiful Catalan coast tells you all about it!

Comparing the cost of living in Spain with France

Let's look at how the cost of living in Spain compares with a country like France. In 2024, the cost of living in Catalonia is estimated to be 22% more affordable than in France. It is becoming interesting to explore the possibilities of buying property in Spain. The average salary for a person in Catalonia is €1,693 compared with €2,283 in France, 25% lower. Next, let's look at the products and services that can greatly benefit from a distinct advantage.

In Spain, the price of food is significantly lower than in France, with costs ranging from 10% to 40% lower. Unsurprisingly, the major cities are experiencing higher increases. It is therefore understandable that Barcelona has higher food prices than other cities in Catalonia, for example.

In addition, hygiene and cleaning products can be found at a price reduced by 10-40%. Although dining out in the city centre in Barcelona (or Madrid) can be more expensive than in a small town, restaurants generally offer a discount of around 32% compared with France. Transport costs also vary by an average of 20% between Spain and France. This will be to your advantage if you travel a lot. On the leisure front, you'll save an average of 6% in Catalonia.

Accommodating in a room or flat in this Spanish region is more economical. The price of monthly rents is in fact 16% lower than in France. Given the tourist nature of this region, however, it is generally more expensive to spend the night in starred hotels.

It is thus noticeable that the cost of living in Spain compared to France is generally lower. Sometimes remarkable differences can be noted depending on the cities concerned. This is the case, for example, of the Costa Brava, the north-eastern coast of Catalonia, which is very popular with tourists and retirees. If you're wondering where to live in Spain for your retirement, you can set your sights on this beautiful Catalan côte to take advantage of a lower cost of living than in France.

What's the budget for living on the Costa Brava in Spain?

If you're wondering what's the budget for living on the Costa Brava, it will depend on a number of factors such as accommodation, food, transport, leisure activities and many other expenses which we'll analyse in detail.

Accommodation in Catalonia, Spain

There are several options when it comes to moving to Catalonia. For example, you can opt to purchase a second home in Spain, a primary residence or alternatively rent a property. In January 2024, the average price of a flat for sale in Catalonia is 2522 € per m² compared with 3923 € per m² in France.

As for houses, the average price is 1796 € per m² in Catalonia and 2509 € per m² in France. You can find quality flats at affordable prices, away from the most touristy areas. If you prefer to rent accommodation, it will also be cheaper in Catalonia than in France generally. In Barcelona, the average rent per square metre is 19 euros per square metre, which is less than in Paris, where it is 22 euros per square metre.

Eating out and eating in Catalonia in Spain

You'll spend much less on food in Catalonia than in France. For lunch, for example, you'll have to shell out an average of 12 € in Spain compared with 15 € in France. The same applies to the price of a restaurant dinner, which is 23 € compared with 30 euros. This same trend continues with the prices of a bottle of water, a beer or a cappuccino, all of which are lower in Spain than in France.

When it comes to food, the cost of living is still lower in Catalonia. Prices for products such as milk, bread, rice, potatoes, meat, fruit and vegetables are much lower in this region of Spain. A kilogram of apples costs an average of 2.2 € in Catalonia compared with 2.72 € in France.

Transport on the Costa Brava in Spain

You already know that transport costs in Spain are lower than in France. More concretely, however, what savings can you make? Theprice of a bus ticket, for example, is 1.5 € in Catalonia compared with 1.8 € in France, a difference of 16%. What's more, at 28 € a monthly season ticket for public transport is 63% cheaper in Spain than in France. The same trend is observed for petrol or taxi prices.

Other everyday expenses

To get a more accurate idea of the cost of living in Catalonia, other expenses need to be considered. This is particularly the case with mobile packages. The price of a monthly subscription to a telephone package (calls and data) in Catalonia is on average 18 € compared with 29 € in France. This trend is reversed (as are the prices of an overnight stay in a hotel) if you're keen to join a gym. You'll have to spend 42 €, 25% more than the French average.

The same applies to buying a car in Spain. If you're wondering at this stage whether it's possible to live in Catalonia on 1000 €, it will depend mainly on your lifestyle and spending habits. If you enjoy leisure activities, this can have an impact on your monthly expenses. At the cinema, for example, some seats can cost between 13 and 18 € compared with 8 € for a standard seat.

The cost of living in Spain compared with France is lower overall, making it an attractive destination for French people looking to expatriate or take a short trip to this part of Spain. If you're thinking of buying a house here, or a property in general, don't hesitate to contact us.

At Immo365, we specialise in the sale and rental of property in various Costa Brava towns. We can advise and assist you with all the administrative, legal and tax formalities, so that your move or stay takes place under the best possible conditions. Don't hesitate to contact us for the right support for your property project in Catalonia. In particular, this will give you the opportunity to discover the most beautiful seaside resort on the Costa Brava enjoyed by thousands of tourists.