SPAIN VS UK VS USA: REAL COST OF LIVING
Everything You Need to Know in 2025
Hey, this is Alina Kaba, and if you're here for the first time - I am a founder of global relocation company and we help people move to Spain and live a dream life here that you don't need a vacation from.
The cost of living crisis continues. Inflation, rising energy prices, insane rent... Millions of people are asking themselves: 'Maybe it's time to change something?'
And you know what? Many are already changing.
Today we're comparing three countries - Spain, the United Kingdom, and the USA - across ALL key parameters:
Rent Groceries Healthcare Transportation Education Taxes And most importantly - quality of life
All data is taken from Numbeo - the world's largest cost of living database. Current as of October 2025.

Let's figure this out!

HOUSING
Let's start with the most painful - housing. This is your biggest expense. Always.

Location

City Center

Outside Center

Notes

Spain

€1,000–1,200

€900

In small towns €730 = 2BR w/ terrace, pool

UK (London)

£1,750 (€2,000)

£1,200–1,400 (€1,400–1,600)

€730 gets only a room with 3 roommates

USA (major city)

$2,600 (€2,450)

$1,900–2,200 (€1,800–2,100)


Annual savings vs Barcelona

NY vs Barcelona: €22,800; London vs Barcelona: €12,600


One-bedroom apartment in city center:
Spain Madrid Barcelona: €1,000-1,200 per month United Kingdom London: £1,750 - that's €2,000! USA average major city: $2,600 - that's €2,450!
Spain is HALF the price. Half.
But you know what? Let's not take my word for it. Let me ACTUALLY find apartments right now.
Alquiler de piso en Calle de la Granada del Penedès, Sant Gervasi - Galvany, Barcelona — idealista
- in Barcelona
https://housinganywhere.com/room/ut1456981/gb/London/st-john-street?bLat=51.470477&lLng=-0.169086&rLng=-0.06815&tLat=51.546655&view=half

- London
https://www.forrent.com/ny/new-york/50-murray-st/fvncy4r
- New York
Okay, let me summarize:
Annual difference: New York vs Barcelona: €22,800 savings! London vs Barcelona: €12,600 savings!
And that's just rent. One expense.
OUTSIDE CITY CENTER
Okay, but maybe you'll say: 'I don't want to live in the very center, a small suburb is enough for me.'
Great! Then:
Spain: €900 UK: £1,200-1,400 (€1,400-1,600) USA: $1,900-2,200 (€1,800-2,100)

In Spain for €730 you'll rent a two-bedroom with a terrace in a small town. With a park view. And a pool in the building.
In London for the same money - a room in a flat share with three roommates.

SECTION 2: GROCERIES
Okay, rent is clear. Now - food. What you can't live a day without.
I made a weekly grocery basket for a family of four. Regular products - nothing exotic.
Weekly basket: Spain: €90-100 UK: £120 (€140) USA: $180-200 (€170-190)
Monthly: Spain: €400 UK: €560 USA: €680-760
USA - almost TWICE as expensive!
But let's get more specific. I'll show you prices for real products.

Basic products:


Item

Spain (€)

UK (€)

USA (€)

Notes

Weekly basket (family of 4)

€90–100

€140

€170–190


Monthly total

€400

€560

€680–760

USA ~2× Spain

Milk (1L)

1.04

1.43

0.92


Bread (500g)

1.33

1.42

3.15

Bakery fresh in Spain

Rice (1kg)

1.40

1.88

3.96


Eggs (12)

2.66

3.39

3.80


Chicken (1kg)

7.34

7.61

10.57


Apples (1kg)

2.13

2.56

4.53


Tomatoes (1kg)

2.25

4.22


Oranges (1kg)

1.81

3.86


Wine (mid-range, 750ml)

5.00

9.20

12.93

Annual wine savings: €830/year


Milk one liter: Spain: €1.04 UK: €1.43 USA: €0.92
Milk in the USA is cheaper - that's true. Mass production. But quality... well, you understand.
Bread 500 grams: Spain: €1.33 UK: €1.42 USA: €3.15!
Bread in the USA costs €3.15 for half a kilo! And that's store bread in packaging!
In Spain for €1.30 you go to a bakery - and they're on every corner - and grab a FRESH baguette or chapata. Still warm!
The difference isn't just in price. The difference is in quality of life.
Rice one kilogram: Spain: €1.40 UK: €1.88 USA: €3.96
USA - almost €4 for a kilogram of rice!
Eggs 12 pieces: Spain: €2.66 UK: €3.39 USA: €3.80
Chicken one kilogram: Spain: €7.34 UK: €7.61 USA: €10.57
Chicken in the USA is 40% more expensive.
And now attention - fruits and vegetables! This is where the REAL difference is.
Apples one kilogram: Spain: €2.13 UK: €2.56 USA: €4.53!
TWICE as expensive! Regular apples!
Tomatoes one kilogram: Spain: €2.25 USA: €4.22
Oranges one kilogram: Spain: €1.81 USA: €3.86
You understand what this means? It means that in the USA many families simply

CANNOT AFFORD to buy fresh fruits and vegetables every day.
They eat frozen. Canned. Processed food. Here in Spain, I buy fresh tomatoes, lettuce, fruits every day. And it's not luxury - it's normal.
Plus we have local markets - mercados. Products straight from farmers. 20-30% cheaper than supermarkets. And quality - amazing.

WINE AND ALCOHOL
Okay, and now - wine. Because we're in Spain! 
Wine mid-range bottle: Spain: €5 UK: €9.20 USA: €12.93
For €5-7 here you buy excellent wine. Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Priorat - winemaking regions with thousands of years of history.
In the USA that wine is $30-50.
If you drink 2 bottles a week and that's normal for many: Spain: €520 per year USA: €1,350 per year
Savings: €830 per year - just on wine!

SECTION 3: TRANSPORTATION
Transportation. How will you move around the city?
Monthly public transport pass: Spain: €22 UK London: £160 - that's €185! USA New York: $130 (€120)
London - it's just robbery. €185 for a monthly pass!
And that's just zones 1-2. If you live in zone 4-5 - and that's most affordable housing - pay £200-220 per month!
In Barcelona for € 22 you get: Unlimited metro All buses Trams Suburban trains!
And by the way, the metro here is clean, modern, air-conditioned. Not like New York where rats are the size of cats.
CAR

Okay, what if you want a car?
Here's the thing: in the USA a car is NOT a choice. It's a NECESSITY. In 90% of cities without a car you simply won't survive.
In Spain - a car is an OPTION. Nice, but not mandatory.
Gasoline: Spain: €1.68 per liter UK: €1.83 per liter USA: €1.00 per liter
Yes, gasoline in the USA is half the price. BUT!
Car insurance per year: Spain: €600 UK: €950 USA: €1,200-2,400!
Insurance in the USA is a nightmare! A young driver pays $2,000-3,000 per year!
Plus: More expensive maintenance More expensive parking $200-400 per month downtown! Car taxes
Annual cost of car ownership: Spain: €3,200 per year UK: €4,800 per year USA: €4,300 per year

BUT! The main thing - in Spain you can live WITHOUT a car and be happy. Savings - €3,200 per year!

Type

Spain (€)

UK (€)

USA (€)

Notes

Monthly public transport pass

22

185 (London)

120 (NY)

London zones 1–2 = €185; zones 4–5 up to €250

Gasoline (per L)

1.68

1.83

1.00


Car insurance (annual)

600

950

1,200–2,400


Annual car ownership cost

€3,200

€4,800

€4,300

Spain: car optional; USA: car essential



SECTION 4: HEALTHCARE

Type

Spain (€)

UK (€)

USA (€)

Notes

Private insurance (monthly)

45–70

0 (NHS) / 130 private

500

USA family avg $14,000/year

Doctor visit

40–60

150–300


MRI

150–300

800–3,000


Childbirth

0–3,000

30,000–50,000


Annual healthcare cost (family)

€780

Free–€1,500

€14,000+

USA: up to $20,000 including deductibles


And now - healthcare. For many this is the most important topic. Especially for Americans.
Health insurance per month: Spain private: €45 UK: £0 NHS free or €130 private USA: €500!

In the USA average family insurance costs $14,000 PER YEAR!
And that's just insurance!

You still have:
Deductible - $1,000-5,000 Co-pay - $20-50 per visit Out-of-pocket maximum - up to $8,000
So in the worst case you pay $15,000-20,000 PER YEAR on healthcare!
This is insanity.

PUBLIC HEALTHCARE IN SPAIN
In Spain - completely different story.
As a resident you get access to FREE public healthcare. And it's world-class!
Spain's healthcare system is in the top 10 in the world for quality.
What's included: Family doctor - free Specialists - free Tests, examinations - free Operations - free Hospitalization - free Childbirth - COMPLETELY free Medications - 40-90% discount
And if you want even faster or more comfort - get private insurance for €45-70 per month.
I, for example, pay €65 per month. That's €780 per year.
My friend in Boston pays $8,000 per year for family insurance.
Difference - $7,200 PER YEAR!
REAL PRICES FOR SERVICES
Let's compare prices WITHOUT insurance - in case you're a tourist or non-resident.
Doctor visit: Spain: €40-60 USA: €150-300
MRI: Spain: €150-300 USA: €800-3,000!
Childbirth: Spain: €0 public or €3,000 VIP private clinic USA: $30,000-50,000 WITHOUT insurance!
Even WITH insurance childbirth in the USA costs $10,000-15,000 out-of-pocket!

You know how many families moved to Spain ONLY because of pregnancy? Many. Very many.

SECTION 5: EDUCATION

Type

Spain (€)

UK (€)

USA (€)

Notes

Daycare (monthly)

450

1,451

1,177

UK: €17,400/year

Public school

Free

Free

Free

USA quality depends on area

Private intl school (annual)

8,700

17,900

20,000

12-year cost: Spain €104k vs USA €240k


If you have kids or are planning - this is critical.
Daycare full day per month: Spain: €450 UK: €1,451 USA: €1,177
In the UK daycare costs €1,451 per month! 

That's €17,400 PER YEAR for ONE child!
In USA - €14,000 per year.
In Spain - €5,400 per year.
Difference with UK - €12,000 per year per child!

Two children? €24,000 per year savings!
That's a new car. Every year.

SCHOOLS
Public schools are free everywhere. BUT!
Quality in the USA STRONGLY depends on the neighborhood. Good school equals expensive housing.
In Spain public schools are decent quality everywhere.
Private international schools per year: Spain: €8,700 UK: €17,900 USA: €20,000
For 12 years of school: Spain: €104,400 USA: €240,000
Difference: €135,600!
That's a full apartment in Spain!

SECTION 6: TOTAL BUDGET
Okay. We've gone through all categories. And now - THE MAIN THING.
How much money do you need per month for NORMAL, comfortable living?
FOR ONE PERSON
SPAIN:
  • Rent outside center: €730
  • Utilities: €120
  • Groceries: €200
  • Transport: €50
  • Internet plus mobile: €45
  • Healthcare private: €70
  • Restaurants leisure: €200
  • Other: €150
TOTAL: €1,565 or $1,700

UK LONDON:
Rent: €1,400
  Utilities: €200
  Groceries: €270
  Transport: €185
  Internet plus mobile: €50
  Healthcare: €80 optional
Restaurants leisure: €250
Other: €200
TOTAL: €2,635 or $3,030

USA:
Rent: €1,800
  Utilities: €220
  Groceries: €380
  Transport with car!: €360
  Internet plus mobile: €115
  Healthcare: €500
  Restaurants leisure: €280
 Other: €250
TOTAL: €3,905 or $4,490
Look at these numbers.

€1,565 versus €3,905
USA IS 2.5 TIMES MORE EXPENSIVE!

SAVINGS: USA vs Spain: €2,340 per month equals €28,080 per year or $32,280 

UK vs Spain: €1,070 per month equals €12,840 per year or $14,760

Living in Spain instead of the USA for 5 years you save $161,400!
That's a house. That's financial freedom. That's choice.

Category

Spain (€)

UK (€)

USA (€)

Rent (outside center)

730

1,400

1,800

Utilities

120

200

220

Groceries

200

270

380

Transport

50

185

360

Internet & mobile

45

50

115

Healthcare

70

80

500

Restaurants & leisure

200

250

280

Other

150

200

250

TOTAL (1 person)

€1,565

€2,635

€3,905

Savings vs Spain

€1,070/mo (€12,840/yr)

€2,340/mo (€28,080/yr)


FOR A FAMILY
And if it's a family - two adults, one child?

Country

Monthly (€)

Annual (€)

Spain

2,800

33,600

UK

4,760

57,120

USA

6,000

72,000

Savings vs USA

€38,400/year (€384,000 over 10 yrs)


SPAIN: €2,800 per month
UK: €4,760 per month
USA: €6,000 per month

Difference with USA - €3,200 per month!
That's €38,400 PER YEAR!
Over 10 years - €384,000!
This isn't just savings. This is a different life.
SECTION 7: QUALITY OF LIFE
But you know what? It's not just about money.
In Spain 300 sunny days a year. Three hundred.
In London - 160. More than half the year - greyness.
Here I can go out in January in a t-shirt.
Sit in a cafe on the street. Go to the beach on weekends.
In the USA? Either heat plus 40 Celsius in summer or snow in winter. Without a car - nowhere.
In Spain: Mediterranean diet - healthiest in the world Work-life balance - siesta, late dinners, time for family Safety - one of the safest countries in Europe Free world-class healthcare Culture on every corner.This is life where you LIVE. Not just survive.

Aspect

Spain

UK

USA

Sunny days/year

300

160

200 (avg)

Climate

Mild Mediterranean

Cloudy, rainy

Extreme (heat/snow)

Diet

Mediterranean

Western

Processed-heavy

Healthcare

Free & world-class

Free NHS

Expensive insurance

Safety

Very high

Medium

Medium-low

Work-life balance

Excellent

Poor

Poor


SECTION 8: TAXES
Last thing - taxes. Because it's not just about expenses, but how much YOU keep.

Average income after taxes per month: Spain: €2,000 UK: €3,200 USA: €4,700
Yes, salaries in USA and UK are higher. BUT!

Tax rate: Spain: 24% Digital Nomad Visa flat tax UK: up to 45% top bracket USA: 37% federal plus state

After deducting taxes, rent and basic expenses:
Left per month: Spain: €435 from €2,000 income UK: €565 from €3,200 income USA: €795 from €4,700 income

The difference isn't that big anymore, right?
And if you consider that in Spain you also live BETTER…


Metric

Spain

UK

USA

Average net income

€2,000

€3,200

€4,700

Tax rate

24% (flat DN visa)

Up to 45%

37% + state

Left after expenses

€435

€565

€795

Quality of life

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

⭐⭐



CALL TO ACTION
Okay. We've broken down all the numbers. Math doesn't lie.
But I understand - you're thinking now: 'Sounds great, but HOW to do this? Visas, documents, banks, housing...'
That's exactly why DreamLife Spain exists.
We do turnkey relocation: Help choose the right visa Digital Nomad, Non-Lucrative, Golden Visa Prepare all documents Open bank accounts Find housing before your arrival Register in the healthcare system Help with schools for children
Average relocation cost with us: €3,000-5,000 all-inclusive.
Remember, we calculated - you save €1,000-2,000 PER MONTH?
Your relocation pays for itself in 2-4 months!

We have a free calculator - DreamLife Calculator. In 3 minutes you'll know:
  • Which relocation program suits you specifically
  • How much the relocation will cost
  • What budget you need for life in Spain
Link https://dreamlifespain.com/calculator

Or just write me on Instagram - @alina_kaba

FINAL
Spain isn't just cheaper. It's EASIER. It's BETTER.
And if you're ready to change your life - start with one step.
Calculate your visa on our webpage and my experts will send you complete dream map - detailed plan for your relocation Because in a year you'll regret only one thing - that you didn't take this step sooner.

See you in Spain.