United States vs Spain
Spain costs roughly 2.3x less than United States, though United States has significantly faster internet infrastructure, making it one of the more financially compelling destinations for United States expats. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
United States is approximately 2.3x more expensive than Spain based on cost of living including rent. This makes Spain a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Spain has a FIRE Score of 55/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The country's safety index is 63.4, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Spain is well-suited for retirees seeking a balanced lifestyle.
About United States
Best for families seeking high English proficiency and excellent air travel access, with no visa path for retirees or digital nomads. Internet speed of 390.28 Mbps and a large expat community support remote work, but the cost of living index of 100 matches NYC. Key trade-off: no retirement or digital nomad visa, and a complex pathway to citizenship limits long-term stays.
$155/mo
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Living Costs (excl. rent)
Rent Per Month
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About Spain
Retirees and remote workers get a genuine European base without the Northern Europe price tag: rent outside the center averages $804/mo, well under NYC costs. Healthcare scores 77.3, life expectancy tops 82, and a large expat community softens the medium English proficiency. The catch is tax: standard rates climb to 47%, though the Beckham Law flat 24% option changes the math for qualifying newcomers.
$1,148/mo
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Living Costs (excl. rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness Scores
Battle of Lifestyles
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| Metric | United States | Spain |
|---|---|---|
| Travel Advisory | Level 1 — Normal Precautions | Level 2 — Increased Caution |
| Quality of Life Index | 188.8 +4.4 | 184.4 |
| Healthcare Index | 67.8 | 77.3 +9.5 |
| Safety Index | 50.8 | 63.4 +12.6 |
| Cost of Living Index | 100 | 43.5 +56.5 |
| Living Costs (Single, excl. rent) | $1,176 | $823.4 +352.6 |
| Living Costs (Family, excl. rent) | $4,239 | $2,975.9 +1,263.1 |
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $1,668.61 | $1,028.43 +640.18 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $1,355.41 | $804.37 +551.04 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $2,688.4 | $1,636.42 +1,051.98 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $2,228.12 | $1,232.15 +995.97 |
| Avg Internet Speed | 390.28 Mbps +127.0 | 263.31 Mbps |
Expat taxes filed by specialists
Greenback Expat Tax handles US taxes for Americans living in Spain. File confidently from abroad.
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