Digital Nomad’s Guide: 10 Most Affordable Cities in Spain for 2024

Nadia Podrabinek Nadia Podrabinek

Written by Nadia Podrabinek

Torrevieja Spain

We have discovered the top 10 cheapest Spanish cities to live in for digital nomads, with Ávila taking the top spot. 


Key Takeaways

  • Ávila takes the crown for the cheapest Spanish city to live in for digital nomads  
  • Ferrol and Huesca follow in second and third place, respectively  
  • Barcelona is the most expensive Spanish city to live in

What people say on Reddit

La Coruña, Galicia is super nice. I have lived here for a year now and I can truly say that the food is great, there are a lot of beautiful beaches and that people are very friendly. It is also a pretty rich region where everything still is very cheap (compared to Madrid/Barcelona or Sweden where I am from).

Downside is that it can rain a lot during the winter. Not a lot compared to northern europe, but spanish people seem to think so. But who cares when spring comes early and summers are long 🙂

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Granada (or Andalucia in general)! Around 400-600 euros for an apartment a month. (I paid 200 a month for a room and restroom to myself and it was right in the center of the city.) The weather is nice all year (except it rains in January/February). Spring is beautiful! People are friendly. The city is small enough to get everywhere by foot (unless you live outside the city center). I heard there’s going to be a line from Granada to Malaga (not sure about this).

nyanceh

Go south , cheaper, people are friendlier and normally there is a good warm weather. I would recommend you Sevilla and Cadiz ( villages on the coast and the capital) , both great , I was born and raised here so i know what i am talking about.

Telocado

The east side of Málaga is a cheap as hell at the moment. In towns like Vélez-Málaga and Torre del Mar, you can easily get an apartment from 40.000€. It’s pretty cheap to live here too.

lord_owen

Methodology

CityMeal, Inexpensive RestaurantDomestic Beer (0.5 liter draught)Cappuccino (regular)Groceries (1L milk, loaf of bread, 12 eggs)One-way Ticket (Local Transport)UtilitiesApartment (1 bedroom in City Center)Total
Avila12.413.101.614.541.24136.47310.15$469.52
Ferrol11.172.791.863.641.86124.06434.22$579.60
Huesca14.892.482.074.381.2498.93465.23$589.22
Ourense11.171.981.644.401.0599.25537.60$657.09
Caceres17.371.861.583.901.49210.07434.22$670.49
Santiago de Compostela12.412.791.854.991.24117.97536.57$677.82
Jaen11.791.861.704.641.24136.47527.26$684.96
Torrevieja14.892.792.155.501.86124.19558.28$709.66
Jerez16.752.631.655.061.55124.43562.15$714.22
Gandia14.272.481.554.571.24111.66589.29$725.06

Cheapest Spanish Cities to Live in for Digital Nomads Map

Useful Video

We analyzed the average cost of several factors in each Spanish city, including rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center, utilities, groceries, and transport.

The cost of each factor was added up for each city to determine which ones are the cheapest to live in.  

RankCityTotal Monthly Cost
1Ávila$469.52
2Ferrol$579.60
3Huesca$589.22
4Ourense$657.09
5Cáceres$670.49
6Santiago de Compostela$677.82
7Jaén$684.96
8Torrevieja$709.66
9Jerez$714.22
10Gandia$725.06
Cheapest Spanish cities for Digital Nomads

Ávila takes the title of the cheapest city in Spain for digital nomads. Rich in history, the city has a unique style due to its walled enclosure which was built way back in the Middle Ages as a defense mechanism and to protect citizens from plague outbreaks. With a total cost of just $469.52, you certainly won’t need to worry about spending more than you can afford; and the price of rent is the cheapest here compared to the other cities at just $310.15 a month.  

Second in the list is Ferrol, with a total cost of $579.60. Situated on the Atlantic coast in north-western Spain, Ferrol is a small city that offers plenty of fantastic food and drink. So, you can take advantage of this and indulge in delicious seafood without splurging as the average cost of a meal in a restaurant is just $11.17, the lowest price of all of the Spanish cities.  

In third place for the cheapest Spanish city is Huesca, which has a total cost of $589.22. The city is filled with culture – it has many spectacular streets where you can explore the various eras that existed in the city over hundreds of years. Utilities are particularly cheap here costing an average of $98.93 a month.  

Taking the fourth spot in the list is Ourense, with a total cost of $657.09. Located in north-western Spain, you’ll find plenty of traditional dishes in Ourense, such as the Galician empanada consisting of eel, octopus, and bonito fish. Wash back the delicious food with a beer, which costs an average of $1.98. 

Read also: 13 Best Places to Live in Spain by the Sea

Fifth in the ranking is Cáceres, taking a total of $670.49. Cáceres boasts many beautiful, cobbled streets as well as many Renaissance palaces, and it was even declared a World Heritage City in 1986. Outside of your days exploring the city, you can fuel your brain for your time spent working remotely with a cappuccino which will cost you an average of just $1.58.  

In sixth place, with a total cost of $677.82, is Santiago de Compostela. There are many attractions in the city, including Parque de la Alameda and Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela – and it won’t cost you much getting around, with a one-way transport ticket costing an average of $1.24.  

Seventh in the list is Jaén – the city has a total cost of $684.96. Make the most of the cheap prices in restaurants, costing an average of $11.79, which typically serve traditional Spanish and Mediterranean dishes; seafood is a popular choice in Jaén, particularly trout. 

Did you know? In order to get a Spanish Digital Nomad visa, your income must be at least 200% of the monthly Spanish national minimum wage (approximately €2,100 per month or €25,200 per year)

Following behind Jaén is Torrevieja in eighth place, with the cost amounting to $709.66. Situated on the Costa Blanca, Torrevieja has lots to offer, including the vibrant nightlife – a beer only costs an average of $2.79, so you won’t have to spend a pretty penny to unwind on a weekend.  

Next is Jerez in the ninth spot, with a total sum of $714.22. The old town in particular is a fantastic area to explore, including Plaza de la Yebra where you’ll find various tapas bars or Plaza del Arenal for a morning coffee – and with the average price of a cappuccino in the city being just $1.65, the latter is the perfect place to start your day.  

Last on the list is Gandía in tenth place, with the total cost being $725.06. Located in eastern Spain on the Mediterranean, the city has many beaches to soak up the sunshine on your weekends, such as Playa Gandia. Plus, it costs just $1.24 on average for a one-way transport ticket, so you won’t be breaking the bank if you wish to explore the city.  

After the recent news that Spain’s digital nomad visa is now available, many Americans may be taking an interest to experience a completely different lifestyle. However, before making the big move, it’s ideal to consider which locations would be the most cost-effective to make sure that you don’t spend too much of your monthly wage on essentials with little left over to embrace your new home.

It’s fascinating to see how inexpensive these cities are despite having so much to offer, from restaurants serving Spanish delicacies to historic monuments that make up some of the incredible culture. It just goes to show that moving to a fantastic city doesn’t require living paycheck to paycheck, and it will be interesting to see which other countries open visas for digital nomads in the future.

Nadia, WhyThisPlace.com

Cheapest Places to Retire in Spain

Jaén

Jaén’s affordability, in contrast to bigger Spanish cities, renders it an appealing option for individuals in pursuit of a budget-friendly lifestyle. Inhabitants can relish a more leisurely rhythm of existence, discover historical landmarks such as Santa Catalina Castle, and savor delectable local cuisine without straining their finances.

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Santiago de Compostela

Beyond its affordability, Santiago de Compostela boasts a captivating ambiance for residents. With its captivating historic square, churches, and palaces, this city, along with its charming cobblestone streets, undoubtedly secures its place as one of the most picturesque regions in Spain.

Jerez

Exploring the old town is a fantastic experience, especially in places like Plaza de la Yebra and Plaza del Arenal, where you’ll discover a diverse array of tapas bars and can enjoy a morning cappuccino for roughly a dollar or so.

Ávila

Ávila stands out as the most cost-effective Spanish city for retirees. Rest assured, your budget won’t be stretched thin here, thanks to its notably low rental costs in comparison to other cities.

Ferrol

Situated on the northwestern coast of Spain along the Atlantic Ocean, Ferrol is a charming small city overflowing with delightful culinary offerings and beverages.

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