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
Not ideal for FIRE-chasers or digital nomads due to the lack of a dedicated retirement or digital nomad visa. Its strongest advantage is a high English proficiency and large expat community, with internet speeds over 300 Mbps. The key trade-off is complex pathways to citizenship and a high cost of living, with rent in city centers averaging $1,669/month.
$155/mo
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About Spain
For retirees, Spain's Non-lucrative Visa requires just EUR 2,400/mo income, making it one of Europe's most accessible options. A single person lives on ~$823/month excluding rent, while rent outside city centers averages $804 — under half typical US costs. The trade-off is Spain's progressive income tax up to 47% (or 24% flat via Beckham Law) and a complex citizenship path.
$1,148/mo
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Rent Per Month
Attractiveness Scores
Battle of Lifestyles
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| Metric | United States | Spain |
|---|---|---|
| Travel Advisory | Level 2 — Increased Caution | 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 |
| 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 |
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Greenback Expat Tax handles US taxes for Americans living in Spain. File confidently from abroad.
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