As with every year we look into the cost of living in Valencia and then compare it with the cost of living where many of our clients are coming from. We use up to date data from Numbeo to provide the reports. Numbeo is a real time platform where people living in the cities report what they are finding for day to day costs, quality of life issues and more. For a numbers nerd like yours truly it's a treasure trove of information. This year for the first time we are also using Perplexity to investigate the results and provide some graphics saving me a lot of time on putting together the comparisons. By the way you can see last year's post here if you want to compare what has changed.
The Categories
We have looked at what we think are three of the most important statistics within the data to give us a cost of living index, a quality of life index and a crime index. (The reason we have done the latter is because one of the questions that people always have is "How safe is Valencia?").
One thing to bear in mind that these numbers are all compared as a ratio to New York which is the base with a score of 100 in every category. Therefore in the cost of living index for example the further away from 100 below or above the less or more expensive the city is. An index of 50 would mean that the city is half the price of New York (*Cough... Valencia... cough*) whereas a score of 150 would mean a place is 50% more expensive (Word to the wise the top scorer here is Zurich with 120.1 so it's 20% more expensive than New York. Nowhere is 50% more expensive.
The Headline
"Valencia remains dramatically cheaper than the big-name global cities and still undercuts Madrid and Barcelona within Spain, while offering one of the strongest quality-of-life scores in the World."
How Numbeo Measures Cost of Living and Quality of Life
Numbeo’s Cost of Living Index compares everyday expenses (food, transport, utilities, leisure) to a New York baseline of 100, excluding rent, with a separate index that adds rent into the equation. It also tracks specific baskets such as groceries, restaurants, and local purchasing power, so you can see whether salaries keep up with prices.
Valencia ranks 273rd in the World for cost of living, which doesn't sound great but in reality it means there are 272 more expensive large cities above it. You can see the average costs for a large selection of products in Valencia here. Below you have some screenshots.
Food and Drink
Shopping (Eggs have gone up and are generally around 3.30 now (Bird flu issues) as they rose towards the end of last year)
Lifestyle
Clothes and Property Prices
Quality of Life Index
The Quality of Life Index mixes purchasing power, safety, healthcare, cost of living, property price-to-income, commuting, pollution and climate into a single score where higher is better. For relocators and investors it is a neat shorthand: “Can I live well here on a normal income or based on my current income, and what are the trade‑offs?
Valencia ranks 28th for quality of life on a Worldwide Scale. Almost all of the cities above Valencia are in the north or central parts of Europe; Scandinavia, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria and Germany. Only one place outside of Europe ranks above Valencia, Ottowa! However Valencia is a clear number one in Southern Europe.
Spain: Valencia vs Madrid and Barcelona
On Numbeo’s latest figures, Valencia’s Cost of Living Index sits just over 50, while Madrid and Barcelona are around 58–60, confirming that day‑to‑day life in Valencia is still noticeably cheaper than in Spain’s two biggest cities, around 15-20% to be more exact. Typical monthly living costs (excluding rent) for a single person in Valencia are estimated at about 833 dollars (roughly 704 euros), which then drop further if you shop local and avoid imported brands.
Quality of life is where Valencia punches far above its “third city” status: its overall Quality of Life Index is very high and comparable with or better than many wealthier European cities. This is helped by strong purchasing power relative to local prices and excellent climate scores. Madrid is close in its overall quality-of-life score driven by higher salaries and good public services, but this is offset by much more expensive housing and a higher property price-to-income ratio than Valencia. Barcelona, meanwhile, combines a high cost of living, an elevated property price-to-income ratio of around 11.9 and much, much higher pollution, which drags its overall quality-of-life score below both Madrid’s and Valencia’s despite being the more famous destination.
Valencia vs London, New York and Amsterdam
If you are coming from the classic “expensive” cities, the gap is stark. Numbeo’s comparison shows that when you include rent, living in New York is roughly 140–145 percent more expensive than Valencia, with rent alone more than 250 percent higher and central city purchase prices over three times as high. London is in similar territory: to enjoy the same standard of life you achieve on about 4,100 euros in Valencia, you would need around 8,000 euros equivalent in London, and buying in central London costs well over four times more per square metre than in central Valencia.
Amsterdam is one of the few cities that edges Valencia on overall quality of life, thanks to very strong scores on infrastructure and services, but it does so at a significantly higher cost of living and much more expensive rents. Recent comparisons put the Netherlands’ national cost-of-living score clearly above Spain’s, and typical Amsterdam one‑bed rents can be hundreds of euros higher than even prime Valencia districts. In other words, you may gain a couple of points on a quality-of-life chart in Amsterdam, but you will certainly pay for them each month. And as for the climate... well no contest.
Valencia vs Los Angeles, Seattle, Toronto and Paris
Across the Atlantic, the story repeats. Numbeo’s 2026 index places Los Angeles in the low‑80s on cost of living, well above Valencia’s sub‑50 score, and that is before you even look at US healthcare costs or the significantly higher rents Angelenos face. Seattle posts a very high cost-of-living index close to 90 with estimated monthly expenses for a single person almost double Valencia’s before rent, and housing pressure remains intense despite relatively favourable price-to-income ratios.
Toronto sits between the US West Coast and the big European capitals: Numbeo estimates typical monthly costs for a family of four at over 4,100 dollars excluding rent, showing a materially more expensive daily life than in Valencia once you factor in housing, utilities and transport. I'd really like someone to explain to me why bananas are so much cheaper in Toronto, it's not that tropical!
Valencia vs Paris
Paris, meanwhile, combines a cost-of-living index that is higher than Spain’s big three and a property price-to-income ratio that makes central ownership far more challenging, all for a quality-of-life score that is below Valencia’s on the latest Numbeo tables. For many movers the calculation becomes simple: similar or slightly better cultural and service offerings, but at a monthly cost that rivals London and New York rather than Valencia. Local purchasing power is higher because wages tend to be higher befitting a capital city.
The Crime Question
So yes, Valencia is safe. It has a really low crime index, lower than Madrid and significantly lower than Barcelona. But New York, Paris and London... well there's really no comparison. You feel safe here.
Why Valencia Still Hits the Sweet Spot
Numbeo’s figures show Valencia in a rare position: a Cost of Living Index around 50, purchasing power over 110, and a very high Quality of Life Index (probably the most important part) that places Valencia among the world’s most liveable mid‑sized cities. Madrid and Barcelona give you more scale and big‑city buzz but ask you to accept higher rents, higher property prices for purchasing, stretched affordability ratios and, in Barcelona’s case, more pollution and a tighter housing squeeze.
Compared with London, New York, Amsterdam or the North American tech hubs, Valencia lets you keep far more of your income each month while still enjoying walkable neighbourhoods, a Mediterranean climate and solid infrastructure. For remote workers, early retirees and families looking at Spain, the Numbeo data simply confirms what many residents already feel: if you want a European city where the numbers and the lifestyle both add up, Valencia remains very hard to beat.
But you knew that anyway because otherwise you wouldn't be here. So the question now is when are you going to join us here? Fill in the form below or do it here at the link.
Property of the Week
Everybody Needs Good Neighbours
"Neighbours
everybody needs good neighbours
Just a friendly wave each morning
helps to make a better day
Neighbours
need to get to know each other
Next door is only a footstep away"
Very true, and passionate words. Even if I was always more of a Home and Away fan myself for 3 reasons (Angel, Shannon and Sophie obviously), neighbours are important. And what better way to get to know your neighbours, than by getting a little closer to them?
Read the full description and see the images here.
Stepping Stone Rental of the Week
Book it ahead of time before it's gone.
Bright 1-Bedroom + 1 office/spare bedroom Apartment Near Ruzafa – Ideal dream home for remote workers & professionals. No kids, No pets. Silence. Close to the City Center.
Looking for a smooth landing in the city? This bright, practical, and modern 1-bedroom apartment is just a short walk south from Ruzafa, one of Valencia’s most vibrant neighborhoods. Set on the third floor of a quiet residential building (no elevator), it’s a quiet and fully furnished space that makes settling in effortless.
Inside, you’ll find a sunlit living area with a private balcony, a double bedroom with built-in storage, and a separate room that works well as a home office or guest room. This apartment's new renovation combines a touch of sleek modern with convenience and functionality and amenities such as, Fast Wi-Fi and air conditioning in both the living room and bedroom ensure comfort year-round.
Step outside and you’re close to local cafés, supermarkets, and public transport, with the rest of the city just a bike ride or bus ride away. Whether you're staying for a few months or just in transition, this place is set up to support easy day-to-day living.
Available for mid-term stay of 3-months. See all of the pictures here.
Further Reading
We know you love our articles so why not take a look at some more of them. Just click on the images below to be taken to more essential Valencia information.
On Our Substack Blog
On Our Socials
Valencia as a remote work destination. In fact the number one remote work destination. But you need to do it right via @maya-m.bsky.social valencialife.es/work-remotel...
— Graham Hunt (@grahunt.bsky.social) January 24, 2026 at 9:04 AM
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An amazing apartment here right in the centre of the city, with views of the central market, the cathedral and the whole of #Valencia really. It’s hard to appreciate the flow and size of an apartment just from a description, but I’ll try to put it in real-life terms buff.ly/kDXKcPl
— Graham Hunt (@grahunt.bsky.social) January 22, 2026 at 10:26 AM
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