Cost of living in Valencia: Is Valencia expensive?
Valencia is the third largest city in Spain after Madrid and Barcelona, so there is much to see and do. The city is an excellent choice for expats, students, and tourists alike. It combines a laid-back beach vibe with a bustling up-and-coming city vibe. It is becoming one of the most popular destinations for digital nomads and expats in Europe. So the important question is, is it expensive to live in Valencia? In this article, we will look at the cost of living in Valencia.
Spain is one of the most affordable countries to live in the EU, and Valencia is among the more affordable Spanish cities. Valencia is cheaper than Madrid and Barcelona (The two major cities in Spain), so it’s an excellent choice for expats who want the Spanish lifestyle while living in an international city. So let’s have a deeper look at some important aspects in order to better understand the overall cost of living in Valencia.
1. Rental Prices
In the last 12 months, there has been a big influx of tourists and expats coming to Valencia, and therefore the rental prices have started to noticeably increase. However, the rental prices are still affordable compared to major European cities. Here are the average prices you can expect to pay.
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre 759.62 €
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre 567.39 €
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre 1,368.75 €
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre 833.33 €
Expat Tip: Don’t be afraid to rent a place outside the city center, as Valencia has excellent public transport coverage. Check out our article about the best neighborhoods in Valencia so you can get a good grasp of the city.
2. Eating and Drinking out
Of course, one of the best things about living in Spain is the food. The restaurant scene in Valencia is improving with each passing year. There are now a lot of international options as well as excellent local food. It’s is generally very affordable as is the price of alcohol. Here we have listed the average prices of eating or drinking out:
| Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant | 12.00 € | |
| Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course | 45.00 € | |
| McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal) | 8.00 € | |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught) | 3.00 € | |
| Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) | 3.00 € | |
| Cappuccino (regular) | 2.01 € | |
| Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle) | 1.84 € | |
| Water (0.33 liter bottle) | 1.38 € |
Expat Tip: Use apps like ‘El Tenedor’ to avail of great discounts in a huge number of restaurants throughout the city. Also, be on the lookout for ‘Menu del Dia’ signs as this means the restaurant will be offering daily specials at a discounted price.
3. Public transport
Valencia is not the biggest city in terms of size, and therefore it is very walkable. It’s a beautiful city to stroll through but sometimes walking is not the most convenient way to get around. Luckily for us, Valencia has an excellent public transport system. With just one public transport card, you can access Valencia’s many modes of transport, such as the metro, tram, bus, and bicycles.
| One-way Ticket (Local Transport) | 1.50 € | |
| Monthly Pass (Regular Price) | 31.52 € | |
| Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) | 4.20 € | |
| Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) | 1.00 € | |
| Bike Rental (1 month) | 29.00 € |
Expat Tip: Valencia is quite a flat city and therefore great for cycling. Try out bike rental services such as Valenbisi to get around the city. Download the apps Free Now or Cabify to order taxis throughout the city.
4. Grocery shopping
There are a number of supermarkets in the city such as Mercadona, Consum, Lidl, and Carrefour. There are also many small grocery shops on nearly every street where you can pick up some useful items on Sundays (when the big chain supermarkets are closed). Mercadona is among the least expensive supermarkets in Valencia and is probably the most popular. Here is a list of commonly bought items and their average prices:
| Milk (regular), (1 liter) 0.84 € Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) 0.99 € Rice (white), (1kg) 1.14 € Eggs (regular) (12) 2.05 € Local Cheese (1kg) 12.71 € Chicken Fillets (1kg) 6.63 € Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) 12.47 € Lettuce (1 head) 1.15 € Water (1.5 liter bottle) 0.61 € Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) 5.00 € Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) 0.98 € Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) 1.32 € Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro) 5.10 € |
Expat tip: Supermarkets are closed on Sundays in Valencia so if you need to do some urgent shopping, look for Consum Charter supermarkets. They stay open on Sundays, and you should find everything you need there.
These prices are accurate as of October 2022 and have been taken from a reputable cost-of-living comparison website.
