Is Daily Life in Spain Cheaper Than the US? Here’s Why It Feels Better
Table of Contents
Comparing Valencia and San Francisco — and why more Americans are choosing Spain for a better, calmer life
Introduction: More Than Just Price Tags
Moving from the U.S. to Spain isn’t just a change of scenery — it’s a shift in rhythm, values, and how you experience the small moments that make up daily life. While price differences are easy to measure, what’s harder to quantify — but equally important — is how affordability impacts community, well-being, and joy.
After four months of living in Valencia, returning to San Francisco felt disorienting. The cost of simple pleasures — a coffee, a drink, a meal — had become so high that it felt like daily life was only available to the wealthy.
Spain, by contrast, doesn’t make you earn joy. It builds joy into the structure of everyday life.
1. The True Cost of Coffee, Lunch, and Connection
In cities like San Francisco, going out for a simple meal or drink has become a luxury.
Here’s a real-life example from a single day in SF:
Two coffees and croissants: $20.27
Two burritos, no drinks: $29.41
Afternoon coffee: $13
Two salads and fries (no drinks): $49.43
One round of drinks for four: $45.87
Total: $157.98
Meanwhile, in Valencia:
Almuerzo for two with drink, olives, sandwich, and coffee: €13
Two menus of the day with drinks: €34.80
Afternoon coffees: €5.50
Dinner (3 pizzas, a salad, and 2 beers): €21.60
One round of drinks for four: €23
Total: €97.90 (~$111)
It’s not about going out every day. It’s about being able to do it without stress, without sacrificing savings, and without needing to justify it.
2. Urban Culture Shaped by Accessibility
In Spain, affordability fuels vibrant street life. You see:
Children, teens, and elderly sharing plazas and parks
Families having dinner on a terrace at 9 p.m.
A diversity of people participating in public life
Contrast that with the U.S., where public space often feels exclusive — reserved for those who can afford it. Cafés are filled with laptops, not laughter. Terraces are luxury zones, not gathering places. In Spain, life happens out in the open — affordably, inclusively, and freely.
3. Mental Health, Safety, and Public Space
Routine social interactions in public space are essential for well-being. In Spain, café culture and public plazas serve as informal mental health infrastructure. You don’t need an appointment or a therapist to feel better — you just step outside and connect with your community.
In cities like San Francisco, this can feel nearly impossible. The high cost of living, visible mental health crises, and street safety concerns have made public life stressful and fragmented. Spain isn’t perfect, but its environment invites people to engage, not withdraw.
4. Salaries vs. Cost of Living: What Really Matters?
Yes, average salaries in the U.S. are higher. But what does that salary buy?
In San Francisco:
A higher income is offset by extreme rents, healthcare premiums, and childcare costs.
People earn more — and feel they have less.
In Spain:
The average salary is lower (around €1,800–€2,100/month), but daily expenses are reasonable.
Healthcare is public and accessible.
Education is affordable.
Dining out doesn’t break the bank.
You don’t need to be wealthy to enjoy life — and that’s the biggest win.
5. The Rise of Remote Work: Best of Both Worlds
Remote workers are reshaping the equation.
If you earn an international or U.S. salary while living in Spain:
Your money stretches much further.
You can afford a beautiful apartment, eat out often, and save at the same time.
You enjoy better weather, stronger community, and less stress.
With the introduction of Spain’s digital nomad visa, it’s now even easier to live and work from cities like Valencia, Barcelona, or Madrid.
6. Retirement in Spain: Living More, Worrying Less
Spain has become a top retirement destination — especially for Americans, Brits, and Northern Europeans.
Why?
You can live well on a pension.
The public healthcare system is excellent and affordable.
Daily life is more social, active, and peaceful.
In Valencia, a retiree can rent a furnished flat, eat out regularly, and enjoy cultural life — all for a fraction of what it would cost in the U.S.
7. Why More Americans Are Choosing Spain Over the U.S.
According to recent surveys, these are the top 3 reasons why Americans are increasingly choosing Spain over life in the U.S.:
1. Safety — especially for families
No gun violence in schools, and very low violent crime rates overall
Gun ownership is strictly regulated and rare in Spain
Parents feel safe letting their kids walk to school or play in public parks
2. Lower cost of living + Better weather
Affordable housing, healthcare, and groceries
Warm Mediterranean climate with 300+ days of sunshine
No need to constantly calculate your spending
3. A simpler, calmer lifestyle
Life isn’t about constant hustle
The culture values presence, conversation, and leisure
No one looks at their watch when you take your time at a café
For many Americans, Spain represents the life they didn’t know they were missing.
8. Need Help Making the Move? Globexs Can Assist
Whether you’re a remote worker, a family, or a retiree looking to relocate to Spain, Globexs makes your transition smooth, legal, and stress-free.
We provide:
✅ Fully furnished mid-term rentals (1–11 months) in Spain and Belgium
✅ Help with visa applications, NIE numbers, residency, and legal services
✅ Full relocation assistance — from the paperwork to housing to settling in
👉 Discover our relocation services
Final Thoughts: A Place Where Life Still Belongs to Everyone
Spain — and Valencia in particular — isn’t just a cheaper place to live.
It’s a place where you can live more fully.
Whether you’re building a new life chapter or simply seeking more balance, Spain offers what so many are searching for:
Affordability, community, simplicity — and joy.
And with Globexs by your side, making the move has never been easier.
