No hype, just numbers you can plan around. These totals assume 12-month rentals (not tourist lets), lived year-round, and include a sensible buffer for “things you forgot.” All figures are in € per month.
At-a-glance budgets (typical monthly totals)
| Household | Modest | Comfortable | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single | 1,300 | 1,950 | 2,950 |
| Couple | 2,200 | 2,900 | 4,300 |
| Family (2+2) | 3,350 | 4,800 | 8,400 |
How to read this: Modest = sensible choices, few frills. Comfortable = nicer area/flat, a car, regular meals out. Premium = prime location or villa, frequent dining out, private health, possibly international school (family).
What drives the total (line-item detail)
Housing (long-term, unfurnished/furnished)
- 1-bed flat (Old Town/back from beach): 700–950
- 2-bed (Port/Arenal/back streets): 1,000–1,400
- 3-bed family flat/townhouse: 1,300–1,800
- Detached villa (pool/plot, Montgó/Tosalet/Balcón al Mar): 1,800–3,000+
Notes: expect 1–2 months’ deposit; agency fee commonly 1 month + IVA; some villas include pool/garden in rent, many don’t (add 120–250/month if outsourced).
Utilities & connectivity (year-round averages)
- Electricity: 80–170 (flats), 120–250 (villas). A/C use can double August bills.
- Water (municipal): 18–35 (flats), 25–60 (villas with irrigation/pool top-ups).
- Gas bottles (if used): 20–45 (winter peaks; ~18–22/bottle).
- Fibre internet (300–600 Mbps): 25–40.
- Mobile plan (each line): 10–20 (SIM-only, 20–40 GB).
Groceries & everyday
- Single: 200–300
- Couple: 350–500
- Family (2+2): 600–900
Benchmarks: café con leche 1.6–2.2; caña 2.5–3.5; menú del día 14–20; mid-range dinner for two 45–70 (Arenal/Port summer at the top end).
Transport (choose your lane)
- No car (local + occasional coach): 40–120 (buses/taxis)
- One small car (owned): 160–240 total averaged monthly
- Fuel assumption: 800 km/month, 6.5 L/100 km, pump ~1.6–1.8 €/L ⇒ 85–95
- Insurance: 25–45; road tax: 6–12; ITV amortised: 3–5; parking/Blue Zone burn: 10–25 (summer varies)
- Two cars: 320–420 (double the fixed bits; fuel depends on usage)
Schooling & childcare
- Public/Concertado: small admin/uniform/books; lunch 4–7 per school day if used; after-care 60–120.
- International school (per child): 600–1,000+ / month averaged over 11–12 months, depending on year group, plus bus/uniforms/trips.
- Nursery/guardería (private): 300–600.
- Activities: football/pádel/dance/music 25–60 each; team sports kits add 50–150 per season.
Healthcare
- Public SIP: no monthly fee; care is free at point of use once registered (you still buy prescriptions/co-pays).
- Private insurance (adult): 35–80 (age, co-pay, provider).
- Family private plan: 120–250.
- Dental: routine clean 40–70; filling 60–120 (private).
Lifestyle & sport
- Gym membership: 30–55
- Pádel/tennis court (per hour, split): 4–10
- Sailing/surf clubs (kids): 30–60
- House help (legal contract): 12–15/hour, typical 4–8h/week if used.
Worked examples (how the totals build)
Single (Comfortable ≈ 1,950)
- 1-bed near Port/Arenal 950
- Utilities + fibre 140
- Groceries 260
- Eating out/coffee 220
- Small car averaged 160 or 90 for no-car setup (this example uses car)
- Mobile 20
- Private health 55
- Gym/misc 165
Total: ~1,950
Couple (Modest ≈ 2,200)
- 2-bed back from beach 1,000
- Utilities + fibre 160
- Groceries 380
- Eating out 220
- One car averaged 180
- Mobiles (2) 30
- Private health (both) 80
- Miscellaneous 150
Total: ~2,200
Family 2+2 (Premium ≈ 8,400)
- 3–4-bed villa with pool 2,800
- Utilities (incl. pool/garden electricity/water) 420
- Groceries 1,000
- Eating out 900
- Two cars 450
- International school (2 children, averaged) 1,600
- Family private health 300
- Childcare/house help 450
- Miscellaneous/sports/lessons 500
Total: ~8,420 (rounded shown in headline table)
Seasonal swing
- Summer uplift: restaurants +10–20%; Blue Zone hours longer; taxis busier; electricity spikes with A/C.
- Winter reality: lower dining/parking spend, but heating (splits or gas bottles) lifts bills.
- August tax on time: add 15–30 minutes to every cross-town drive (Port ↔ Arenal bottlenecks).
One-off setup costs (don’t ignore)
- Deposits/fees: 2–3x monthly rent cash-flow hit (deposit + first month + agency).
- Furniture & white goods (if unfurnished): 1,500–4,000 to make a place livable.
- Registrations: padrón/SIP are free; driving licence swaps and car paperwork carry admin costs.
Where people mis-budget
- Banking on tourist-season rents for annual living costs.
- Forgetting pool/garden maintenance on villas.
- Underestimating international school extras (bus, trips, uniforms).
- Treating Blue Zone like it’s free (“just ten minutes”) — it isn’t.
- A/C set to 19°C all August. Your meter will notice.
Quick pick: which column are you?
- Remote single: Modest if car-free; Comfortable if you want Port/Arenal and a small car.
- Relocating couple: Comfortable fits most year-round lifestyles; Premium only if you need sea-view or large villa.
- Family: If you choose public school, the Comfortable column is realistic. If you choose international, start at the Premium column and tailor down.
Last verified: 27 Sep 2025 (Europe/Madrid).
