Cost of living in United States compared to Spain
Currency:
| Food | + 49% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United States is 49% more expensive than in Spain | ||||
| United States | Spain | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $20 (€20) | €18 | + 10% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $12 (€12) | €10 | + 12% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $5.42 (€5.26) | €3.87 | + 36% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $1.07 (€1.04) | €1.06 | - 2% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $4.73 (€4.59) | €2.94 | + 56% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $4.44 (€4.31) | €2.04 | + 111% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $7 (€7) | €7 | - 3% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $3.84 (€3.73) | €2.05 | + 82% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $2.04 (€1.98) | €1.54 | + 29% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $3.82 (€3.71) | €1.16 | + 219% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $18 (€17) | €7 | + 137% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $2.92 (€2.83) | €2.04 | + 39% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $2.65 (€2.57) | €1.09 | + 136% | |
| Housing | + 98% | |||
| Housing in United States is 98% more expensive than in Spain | ||||
| United States | Spain | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $2,805 (€2,722) | €1,514 | + 80% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $2,092 (€2,030) | €1,031 | + 97% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $226 (€219) | €115 | + 91% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $2,068 (€2,006) | €968 | + 107% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $1,499 (€1,454) | €715 | + 103% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $164 (€159) | €79 | + 101% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $60 (€58) | €27 | + 112% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $257 (€249) | €328 | - 24% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $148 (€143) | €100 | + 43% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $15 (€14) | €7 | + 96% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $33 (€32) | €12 | + 169% | |
| Clothes | + 17% | |||
| Clothes in United States is 17% more expensive than in Spain | ||||
| United States | Spain | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $56 (€54) | €79 | - 32% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $52 (€50) | €34 | + 46% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $105 (€102) | €87 | + 17% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $139 (€135) | €93 | + 45% | |
| Transportation | + 69% | |||
| Transportation in United States is 69% more expensive than in Spain | ||||
| United States | Spain | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $30,118 (€29,221) | €26,807 | + 9% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $0.93 (€0.90) | €1.53 | - 41% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $79 (€77) | €29 | + 169% | |
| Personal Care | + 119% | |||
| Personal Care in United States is 119% more expensive than in Spain | ||||
| United States | Spain | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $9 (€9) | €9 | + 1% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $22 (€22) | €7 | + 197% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $169 (€164) | €55 | + 197% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $9 (€9) | €4.03 | + 120% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $5.33 (€5.17) | €2.76 | + 87% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $7 (€7) | €2.98 | + 120% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $5.02 (€4.87) | €1.89 | + 157% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $2.38 (€2.31) | €2.15 | + 8% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $30 (€29) | €17 | + 77% | |
| Entertainment | + 62% | |||
| Entertainment in United States is 62% more expensive than in Spain | ||||
| United States | Spain | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $61 (€59) | €37 | + 59% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $29 (€29) | €17 | + 70% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $213 (€206) | €49 | + 319% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $101 (€98) | €51 | + 92% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $15 (€14) | €10 | + 37% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $5.93 (€5.76) | €2.85 | + 102% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $7 (€7) | €4.73 | + 49% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $470 (€456) | €576 | - 21% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.55 (€0.54) | €0.29 | + 85% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $65 (€63) | €50 | + 24% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $11 (€10) | €5.41 | + 91% | |
| TOTAL | + 71% | |||
These prices were last updated on January 22, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.970
EUR
/
USD
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 24,303 prices entered by 2,939 different people.
Cost of living in United States is 71% more expensive than in Spain
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