A sunny climate, warm beaches, and many outdoor attractions have long lured many a British tourist to Spain. Most of these tourists stay in the country for a few days, enjoy the weather and the beautiful scenery, and then go back home. But there are adventurous souls who make the decision to move and live permanently in Spain. If you are thinking of doing the same, here’s what you should know about the cost of food, transportation, utilities, and more: a comparison between Spain and the UK.
Food in the shops
If you shop for food in Spain, you will be amazed at how less expensive everything can be. Milk is around £0.69, whilst it’s £0.95 in the UK (a difference of about 38%). Fresh bread can be £0.86, but in the UK, it’s around £1. Twelve eggs in Spain can be bought for about £1.28, whilst the same is £2 in the UK, which means a difference of 55%. In Spain, the cost of fruits and vegetables is lower compared to the UK, and this includes apples, oranges, tomatoes, potatoes, and lettuce.
In an inexpensive restaurant in Spain, a meal for one can be around £8.56, but in the UK, it can cost around £10 – a difference of almost 17%. Domestic beer can cost as low as £1.70, whilst beer in the UK can cost around £3, which is about a 75% hike in price.
Transportation
For a one-way bus ticket, it’s £1.28 in Spain and £2 in the UK, and a monthly pass in Spain can be as low as £40 in Spain compared to £55 in the UK. A taxi starts at around £2.50 in Spain, whilst in the UK, it is around £2.80.
Utilities
When it comes to utilities, the average bill for basics such as electricity, garbage, water, and heating can be around £85, but in the UK, it can be as high as £140 (a 63% difference). The Internet can be more expensive than in the UK, though, with almost £30 for unlimited data and 6mbps, whereas it’s only about £20 in the UK.
Accommodation and property
Renting property in Spain is less expensive than in the UK, and a 1-bedroom apartment in a city centre can be around £420, whilst in the UK, it can be as high as £650. A 3-bedroom apartment outside the city can be around £550, but around £850 in the UK.
Buying property in Spain is also less expensive and gives excellent value for money, especially if you buy property in less popular (and populated) areas such as coastal towns on the Costa Brava, like Moraira. There are many bungalows, townhouses, and villas for sale in Moraira, ranging in price from £60,000 for a simple townhouse to £101,000 for a terraced villa with sea views and more.
