Contents:
- Where is life more expensive: in the north or in the south?
- Real estate offers in different parts of Spain
- We will help you buy a property in Spain
Where is life more expensive: in the north or in the south?
According to an analysis conducted by independent content Kelisto.es which takes into account data collected in 50 provincial capitals of Spain and the autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla, the cost of living in Barcelona is 35.5% higher than the national average, in San Sebastian this figure is 29.9% higher than the average, in Madrid - 25.22%. In each of the capitals, the cost of 14 goods and services in five categories was checked: housing, taxes, public and private transport, food and leisure.
TOP-10 most expensive cities include such peninsular northern provinces as Victoria (6.89% above average) and Oviedo (4.68%). Catalan capitals also occupy the last place: Barcelona leads the ranking (+35.51%), and Girona ranks seventh (+6.46%). Among the cheapest cities there are several southern capitals, such as Melilla (17.13% below average) and Caceres (13.44% below average), which are in TOP-10 cheapest, as well as several Castilian capitals (Palencia, Zamora, Avila, Soria and Leon).
Estefania Gonzalez, Financial Representative of Kristo.es explains that according to the data given, life in the north is more expensive than in the south, and life in small capitals is cheaper than in Madrid or Barcelona.
The high cost of living does not always correspond to high incomes: for instance, Madrid is the third in the list of expensive cities in the country.
The prices in the capitals vary depending on the product or service being compared. The largest wage gap is observed in relation to the real estate tax (IBI) between the most expensive city to pay this tax (Soria) and the cheapest city (Pamplona) and is 563.2%, and the least significant differences are observed in the cost of the consumer basket, the difference is only 12.5%.
Real estate prices
In relation to the value of real estate, the highest prices coincide with the most expensive cities to live in. San Sebastian tops this rating (EUR 371,328 - 157.1% above average), Barcelona (EUR 357,360 - 147.4% above average) and Madrid (EUR 282,504 - 95.6% above average). On the contrary, the most economical cities are Jaen (EUR 86,304 - 40.2% below average) and Avila (EUR 91,360 - 36.7% below average). To determine the cost of housing, the report analyzes the average purchase and rental price of real estate with an area of 80 square meters. On average, in Spain, the purchase of such real estate will cost EUR 144,432.
The average house price in Madrid is still 32% of the historical maximum.
The monthly payment for the rental of properties with an area of 80 square meters is EUR 676. Considering this average, Barcelona (EUR 1,278) and Madrid (EUR 1,150) are the most expensive cities, while Lugo (EUR 354) and Teruel (EUR 358) are the cheapest.
Taxes
The analysis of taxes took into account IBI, for which Spaniards pay an average of EUR 88.96 per year; road tax (average expenditure of EUR 61.07) and garbage collection tax (EUR 71.57). Most IBIS are paid in the Series, where the average is 71.38% higher (EUR 84.51) than in the whole country. The road tax is 38.8% higher than average in San Sebastian, and the cheapest is in Ceuta and Melilla (44.2% and 72.1% lower than average). Finally, the highest garbage collection tax is in Girona, and the lowest is in Bilbao.
Transport
As for public transport, a simple bus ticket has an average price of EUR 1.2 across the country, with a discount of 10 trips will cost an average of EUR 7.36.
The most expensive fare is in Barcelona (EUR 2.2 - 83.33% above average) and San Sebastian (EUR 1.75 - 45.83% above average). In the cities of Lugo (EUR 0.64 ‒ 46.67% below average) and Palencia (EUR 0.7 - 41.67% below average), there is the cheapest fare. Thus, for those who choose a bonus for ten trips, the cities with the highest fare are Pontevedra, Madrid and Barcelona, while the cheapest prices are registered in Palencia and Lugo.
Consumer basket
The consumer basket is especially expensive in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (EUR 4770.72 - 6.47% above average) and Santa Cruz de Tenerife (EUR 4714.32 - 5.22% above average). In the cities of Seville (EUR 4242.12 - 5.32% below average), Leon and Jaen (EUR 4290.84 ‒ 4.24% below average), the cheapest cost is recorded.
Leisure
The report also examines the payment of some vacation options: for instance, buying a movie ticket, the average cost of which is EUR 6.96 nationwide, or buying beer at a bar in the city center (EUR 1.83). Madrid has become the most expensive city both when visiting the cinema (EUR 9.62) and bars (EUR 2.95).
Real estate offers in different parts of Spain
Costa Verde
The climate in the north and south of Spain is different. The northwest of the country, starting in the Bay of Biscay and the Atlantic Ocean and known as Green Spain, or Costa Verde, includes Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria and the Basque Country. There is high humidity, dominated by mountainous landscapes inhabited by wolves and bears, green meadows and fishing villages on the coast.
The humidity level is higher here than in Wales. So, in Santiago de Compostela, 1,545 mm of precipitation falls. Costa Verde has far fewer tourists than other coasts due to its unpredictable climate. At the same time, there is a large selection of rural real estate at reasonable prices.
Catalonia and northeastern Spain
The most famous city is Barcelona, the most famous coast is Costa Brava with resorts such as Blanes, Lloret and Tossa de Mar. It is a green, mountainous coast with sandy bays. This region has long attracted numerous tourists, since efforts have been made over the past few decades to improve its image, while prices are relatively high here.
The summer climate is very comfortable, but winters are cool. It is warmer in Valencia in winter.
Costa Blanca
To the south of Valencia, the climate is getting warmer, it is here that the most popular region for expatriates is located. According to the World Health Organization, the climate of Valencia is the most favorable for health, with year-round warmth and a refreshing sea breeze. The landscape of the northern part of Costa Blanca is mountainous, but at the same time covered with greenery, with small quiet beach resorts and cities that are more often chosen by expats, such as Denia and Javea. Jalon Valley is very popular among foreign buyers of real estate. The south of Costa Blanca is flatter, the climate is dry. It is cheaper to buy real estate in resorts such as Torrevieja and Orihuela Costa. The historic city of Alicante is located south of Benidorm. Elche Palm Grove and golf courses are located here.
Costa Calida and Costa Almeria
As we move to the south of the country, the climate becomes more arid, so there is even a real desert in Almanzor. Murcia is a major supplier of agricultural products to the north and central regions of the country. Almeria, located south of Murcia, in Andalusia, was once a relatively quiet and poor province, tourists and new residents have chosen these places, which led to an increase in real estate prices. In Murcia, there are famous resorts near Mar Menor lagoon, to the north of Costa Calida, in the south ‒ the small resort towns of Mojacar and Roquetas de Mar on Costa de Almeria. After the financial crisis, there was a construction boom in these regions.
South Coast
In the south of Spain there are coasts: the famous Costa del Sol, the lesser-known Costa Tropical - in the East and the Costa de la Luz.
There are famous resorts: Almunecar, Nerja, Torremolinos, Fuengirola, Mijas, Marbella and Estepona. Here they most often buy real estate in Spain. The British are still the largest owners of local housing, but there are also many Russians, Belgians, Germans and Scandinavians who are attracted by unsurpassed recreational opportunities such as golf and water sports, shopping and fine dining. It is usually hot in summer and moderately warm in winter. In the heart of the south coast, you can return to Spain of the past with its rural traditions and ancient history in cities such as Granada, Malaga, Cordoba, Seville, Jerez and Cadiz.
Balearic Islands
Majorca, Menorca and Ibiza (and the small island of Formentera off the coast of Ibiza) form the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean Sea. There are resorts in Majorca, such as Magaluf, where there are many coastal villages and complexes. The royal family of Spain usually spends the summer here, and businessman Richard Branson has his own house. Any tourist and expat will enjoy the beautiful (and expensive) city of Palma, the communities of Deia and Valdemossa on the north coast, as well as family complexes on the east coast. In addition to villas and holiday apartments, beautiful old apartments in the city center and converted farms inside the island are very popular.
Menorca is more often preferred by British families. This is a quieter, simpler and cheaper island than the neighboring ones, but in winter it is difficult to get to it. Parties don't end in Ibiza all year round. Despite the fact that this island is known for its hedonistic lifestyle, Ibiza also attracts with its hills covered with pine forests and hidden coves. Real estate here is one of the most expensive in Spain.
Canary Islands
The climate on the Canary Islands, located off the coast of Morocco, is moderate and not very warm. The Canary Islands are formed by seven islands: Tenerife, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro. No island is like any other: there are sandy and volcanic, some have a vibrant nightlife and many apartments for an inexpensive holiday, others have a more relaxed atmosphere. When buying a property here, it is necessary to take into account the peculiarities of each island. The Canary Islands are known not only for their atmosphere of comfortable rest, but also for beautiful nature, deep gorges, banana plantations and the highest point of Spain.
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