Cheapest Place To Live in Spain By The Sea

Living by the sea in Spain is a dream for many people. It has a good climate, a calm atmosphere, and bustling social life. Living by the sea in Spain is a dream for many people. It has a good climate, a calm atmosphere, and bustling social life. The problem is that it can be quite expensive, especially in popular areas like Barcelona, Marbella, or Valencia.

The cheapest places to live in Spain by the sea include cities such as Alicante, Malaga, Murcia Sitges, Castellon, and Cadiz. These cities are more affordable than Barcelona, Marbella, or Valencia, but they offer just as much in terms of atmosphere and social life.

These affordable coastal cities in Spain are perfect for those who want to enjoy the Spanish lifestyle without breaking the bank.

Each of these cities has its own unique charm, and they are all worth considering if you are looking for a place to live in Spain by the sea. Read on to find out about some of the cheapest Spanish coastal cities, including the cost of living.

Top cheapest places to live in Spain by the sea

For the digital nomad, expat, resident, or anyone seeking a retirement home, the following coastal cities of Spain will give you a friendly lifestyle, great weather, and culture at a cheaper cost.

Moreover, these places aren’t only affordable to live in but also to buy a property.

1. Alicante

Average monthly cost of living for a single: between €770 and €1,050.

The coastal city of Alicante, located in southeast Spain, is home to 337,304 people, with 18% being foreigners. The city is beside the Mediterranean sea and is surrounded by several beaches, including Cala Pinets and Playa Lisa.

It’s famous for fresh seafood, warm sea waters, and year-round sun. Alicante has several natural parks, mountains, and valleys in terms of biodiversity. 

The cost of living in Alicante is as follows:

Item	Cost
Rent + bills	€580
Food	€170
Transportation	€75
Leisure	€230

Housing: The monthly rent of a one-bedroom house is about €490, while a family house of three bedrooms ranges between €738 to €925. Generally, you might spend about €580 on housing.

You can also choose to share a flat and pay €200 monthly. In addition to rent, utility bills amount to €100 per month. Buying a house costs between €1,511 and €1,791 per square meter on average. 

Transportation: Public transport ranges from €30 to €50 per month, while a single ticket goes for €1.45. When using a taxi around the city, you’ll spend around €7 – €20 depending on the distance. If you own a car, you’ll pay €1.28 per liter of gasoline.

Food: Eating out in most restaurants costs between €12 to €20 per set. Restaurants such as McDonald’s and Burger King charge about €7 per meal. Below is a breakdown of basic food and groceries in Alicante:

• 1.5 liters of milk- €0.52
• 1kg of beef- €10.07
• A dozen eggs- €1.93
• 500g bread- €1.18

Other expenses: Nursery education costs €344 on average every month if you have school-going kids. Shoes like Adidas cost €75 while cinema tickets are priced at €7.25.

2. Malaga

Average monthly cost of living for a single: between €860 and €940.

Malaga is a city by the water on a long bay of the Mediterranean sea. With a population of 592,000 people, it continues to attract many foreigners due to its pleasant weather, culture, cuisine, and affordable cost of living. The city has about 320 days of sunshine suitable for enjoying the sandy beaches.

Its cost of living is as follows:

Item	Cost
Rent + bills	€590
Food	€140
Transportation	€40
Leisure	€150

Housing: If you’re renting, a one-bedroom house costs between €425-€690 per month. The monthly cost of bills like water and electricity costs €97 on average. If you want to buy a house, the average price per square meter is between €2,391 and €2,582.

Malaga is the fifth most expensive place on the coast to buy a home in Spain. The average salary in the city is €1,167 per month.

Transportation: You’ll spend €1.35 on a single ticket or €39.93 monthly on public transport. Using a taxi means paying €0.95 and €1.15 per kilometer, daytime and night, respectively. Suppose using private transportation, gasoline costs €1.31 per liter.

Food: The cost of food in modern restaurants across the city cost about €9.90 per meal. In high-end restaurants, you’ll spend between €12.50-€16.30. If you’re buying food to cook at home, below are the costs of the value necessities:

• 1 liter of milk- €0.70
• 1kg of beef- €11.5
• 1kg of rice- €1.16
• A dozen eggs- €1.90

Other expenses: If you want to seek medical treatment from a private doctor, you’ll pay €22.5 every 15 minutes. Gym membership costs €32.35 monthly, while a domestic cleaner charges €9.90 per hour.

3. Castellon

Average monthly cost of living for a single: €959.

Castellon stretches about 112km on the shores of the Mediterranean sea. It has a population of 174,264, thanks to its beautiful beaches, cliffs, and seaside towns.

The city is culturally rich owing to its historical sites from the 13th century, including the big castle in Peniscola.

The cost of living in Castellion is affordable. Let’s take a look:

Item	Cost
Rent + bills	€600
Food	€200
Transportation	€30
Leisure	€150

Housing: A one-bedroom apartment costs €500 in the city center and €383 further away. An apartment for sale costs €3,000 and €1,400 per square meter in the city center and outside the city, respectively. Yet, the average price of purchasing a house in Castellon is €1,105 per square meter.

Transportation: Public transport costs in the city are €1.05 and €30 for a single and monthly ticket, respectively.

When using a taxi, the start tariff is €4.50, while the typical charges are €0.60 per kilometer. If you have a car, you’ll spend €1.66 on every liter of gasoline.

Food: Eating out in a restaurant costs €10 for one person and €30 for two. Food from McDonald’s menu costs €7 approximately. Essential food items and groceries cost as follows:

• 250g of bread- €0.47
• A dozen eggs- €1.46
• A kg of potatoes- €0.95
• 1 liter of milk- €0.7

Other expenses: The cost of nursery education is €225 monthly for one child, while an international primary school costs €3,722 per year. 

4. Cadiz

Average monthly cost of living for a single: €1,248.

With a population of 115,733, Cadiz city is an attractive location because of its ports and the North Atlantic Ocean.

Owing to the city’s 300 days of sunny days yearly, you can enjoy surfing, swimming, or taking strolls on its numerous beaches. It has fresh seafood and several historical attraction sites.

The cost of living in Cadiz is as follows:

Item	Cost
Rent + bills	€610
Food	€200
Transportation	€30
Leisure	€210

Housing: Renting in the suburbs costs €417 for a one-bedroom house per month, a three-bedroom apartment comes to €595. Utility bills cost €125 on average. Buying a home will cost you €1,524 per square meter on average.

Transportation: If using public transport, a single trip costs €1.34, while a monthly pass goes for €28.10. Taxis charge €1.31 per kilometer, and gasoline costs €1.47 per liter.

Food: The cost of food in a cheap restaurant costs €10.99 and €36.65 for two. Food items and groceries cost as follows:

• 1 liter of milk- €0.88
• A dozen eggs- €1.92
• 1kg of beef- €11.95
• 500g bread- €1.00

The average salary is €1,033 per month, with the minimum being €1,050.

Other expenses: Nursery school costs €325 monthly, and international primary schools cost €8,143 per year.

5. Sitges

Average monthly cost of living for a single: €1,100.

Sitges is a city along the Mediterranean sea with a population of 30,272 located just 35 away from famous Barcelona. By choosing Sitges, you will save a lot of money every month and still can visit Barcelona regularly.

Besides, the city’s 300 days of sunny weather allow you to enjoy the city’s 17 beaches. It’s culturally rich, thanks to its numerous museums and historical sites.

The cost of living in Sitges is as follows:

Item	Cost
Rent + bills	€730
Food	€180
Transportation	€40
Leisure	€140

Housing: The cost of buying a house is €3,970 per square meter. If you’re renting, you’ll pay €599 or €921 for a one-bedroom and a three-bedroom home.

Transportation: A single ticket on public transportation costs €1.40 or €40 for a monthly pass. Taxis have starting tariffs of €3.50 and charge € 1.06 per kilometer. Gasoline costs €1.55 if you use private transport.

Food: Eating out at an average restaurant costs €11 and €50 for two people. Groceries and food items cost:

• 1 liter of milk – €0.80
• 500g bread – €1.01
• Dozen eggs – €1.99
• 1kg of beef -€10.37

Other expenses: In terms of clothing, a pair of jeans sells for €72 while a summer dress costs about €28. The monthly fee for a private nursery school is €359, and that of an international primary school is €7,166 yearly.

Other affordable coastal cities in Spain

1. Torre del Mar is a small city near Malaga, but it’s more affordable than the latter. Besides, it has a long beach line you will 100% enjoy.

2. Gandia is a beautiful city located 70 km away from Valencia. Its beaches aren’t less impressive, but prices are significantly lower.

3. Zarautz – located in Basque Country, this city offers a very different landscape from all mentioned above. If you prefer a mix of mountains and the sea, this is the right place.

4. Cartagena in Murcia is the last Spanish coastal city we would recommend for someone on a tight budget. It gives you opportunities to explore surrounding beaches and mountains located next to the city. Although the coastal line of Cartagena is pretty short, you can enjoy the impressive city’s architecture and history.