Moving to another city to study isn’t just about choosing a university. It’s also about knowing how much you’ll spend each month, which city best suits your lifestyle, and what type of accommodation offers you the best value for money.
If you’re torn between Madrid, Granada, Salamanca, Murcia, Zaragoza, Seville or Valencia, this guide will help you compare the real cost of living for a student and work out which city might suit you best.
How much does a student in Spain need each month?
There is no single figure, as the cost varies considerably depending on the city, the type of accommodation and your lifestyle. That said, in Spain’s major cities, the cost of student accommodation tends to vary widely, ranging from 650 to 1,200 euros a month, although at Bravo Students there are options starting from 420 euros in some locations and from 940 euros a month in Madrid, depending on the type of accommodation.
As well as student residences, many students also look for apartments to rent, either to live in on their own or to share. To help you compare more effectively, this section provides a guide to average prices for whole flats and student residences, and shows how Bravo Students fits within these price ranges.
At first glance, a whole flat might seem cheaper if you share it with several people. But once you factor in utilities, internet, a deposit, furniture, transport and the time spent managing it, the difference compared to a student residence narrows considerably. In more expensive cities, such as Madrid or Valencia, Bravo halls of residence are usually in the mid-to-high end of the market, but with many services included; in cities such as Murcia, Granada or Salamanca, Bravo can compete very well with the combined cost of a flat plus bills, especially if you value having cleaning services, security, communal areas and study rooms all included in the price.
Madrid: more opportunities, but there is also more costs
Madrid is usually the most expensive city in this comparison, mainly due to accommodation,
transport and the cost of living. On the other hand, it offers a wider choice of universities, better transport links, more work placements and a very vibrant social life, something which, for many international students, makes up for the higher cost of living.
At Bravo Students Madrid, the hall of residence is located in Moncloa-Aravaca, very close to
universities such as the Complutense, CEU San Pablo and the Francisco de Vitoria University, with services included such as weekly cleaning, utilities, Wi-Fi, 24-hour security, a gym, a swimming pool and study areas.
Granada: strong university life with a more forgiving budget
Granada stands out for combining a student atmosphere, a vibrant social life and a more affordable cost of living than Madrid. In fact, some sources put the approximate monthly expenditure for a student at around 850 euros, although the actual figure varies depending on accommodation and lifestyle.
It’s a city that tends to be very popular with Erasmus students and those who prioritise making friends quickly, getting about without too much hassle and enjoying a truly authentic university experience.
Salamanca: a city made for students
Salamanca continues to feature in many guides as one of Spain’s leading university cities in terms of tradition, atmosphere and the size of its student community
For many students, the main advantage is that the university experience is very concentrated: less travelling, a lively atmosphere around the university and a real sense of community.
In terms of cost of living, it is usually much cheaper than Madrid and is a good fit for those who want a city with a strong university atmosphere without having to pay the price of living in a major capital city.
Murcia: a comfortable option for those in search of balance
Murcia tends to appeal to students who are looking for a more manageable cost of living, a practical everyday life and a comfortable university experience. Furthermore, it is a particularly attractive option for those comparing universities near the UMU or the UCAM who do not want to move to a more expensive city without a clear need to do so.
It doesn’t have the cost of living or the pace of Madrid, but that is precisely why it might be a better choice for people who prioritise stability, budget and an easy-going lifestyle.
Zaragoza: balance in size, cost and quality of life
Zaragoza is often overlooked on the most obvious lists, but that is precisely why it can be a great choice for students looking for a manageable city that is well connected and more affordable than a major capital. It is also an interesting city for first-year students if they prefer a more stable and less chaotic routine.
Bravo Students already offers student accommodation in Zaragoza, which makes it easy to explore topics such as local areas, student profiles and daily life around the university. If you’re really interested in Zaragoza.
Valencia: great mediterranean city buzzing with student life
Valencia combines many of the advantages of a big city with a very student-friendly atmosphere. It has several major universities, neighbourhoods bursting with youthful energy, a coastline, a pleasant climate almost all year round, and a consistently rich cultural and leisure scene. Whilst prices aren’t quite as high as in Madrid, accommodation and the cost of living are generally slightly more expensive than in cities that are 100% university orientated, such as Granada or Salamanca, but in return you gain a variety of things to do, a great social scene and a city that’s easy to get around.
It’s an option that usually suits students looking for a lively, dynamic city with good transport links and a wide range of amenities, but who don’t want to move to the capital. If you’re drawn to the idea of combining student life with the Mediterranean lifestyle (beaches, terraces, outdoor events), Valencia is a city well worth considering for the coming years.
Seville: tradition, climate and university life, all in an amazing Andalusian city.
Seville offers a very appealing blend of history, Andalusian character and university life. It is a large city, but with a more relaxed pace than Madrid and with neighbourhoods where the student presence is very noticeable during the academic year. The cost of living is generally lower than in Madrid, although higher than in cities such as Granada or Salamanca, particularly when it comes to rent and leisure activities in popular areas.
For many students, Seville is a good choice if they’re looking for a big city with its own character, a pleasant climate, a lively street scene and good universities, without the stress and high costs of the capital. If you’re imagining your university years to be full of atmosphere, culture, good food and streets bustling with life almost all year round, Seville could be one of the best options.
What city is best according to your budget?
If saving money is your priority, Granada, Murcia and, in many cases, Salamanca tend to be more budget friendly options than Madrid. If you prefer more opportunities, connections and city life, Madrid or Valencia may be worth it, even if you have to budget for higher living costs. Zaragoza and Seville are good middle-of-the-road options, whilst Granada and Salamanca are usually excellent choices for those seeking a truly distinctive university experience. If you’re still comparing destinations, the next logical step is to read “The Best University Cities in Spain”.
FAQs
Which is the cheapest city in Spain for students?
There isn’t one city that’s ‘officially’ the cheapest, because ultimately it depends a great deal on your lifestyle, but there’s a fairly clear pattern: Granada, Murcia and Salamanca tend to be the options where your money goes further when compared to large cities like Madrid. They generally have lower rent and accommodation costs, property prices are slightly cheaper, and day-to-day living is noticeably less of a strain on your wallet, so if your priority is sticking to a budget, these are three cities well worth considering.
Is Madrid too expensive for an international student?
Madrid does require a higher budget than cities such as Granada, Murcia or Salamanca, and this is particularly noticeable when it comes to accommodation and day-to-day living. But for many students, they see it as an investment: it offers more universities, work placements, networking opportunities and cultural life than almost any other city in the country. Ultimately, the key is to manage your accommodation and food costs carefully (for example, by choosing a hall of residence that offers good value for money and cooking at home) so that the increase in cost compared to other cities remains manageable.
Can a student live in Spain for 800 euros monthly?
Living in Spain on 800 euros a month as a student is possible, but only in certain cities and by living quite frugally. In places such as Granada, Murcia, Salamanca, Valencia or Seville, if you choose your accommodation wisely and cook at home, that budget should be enough, although you won’t be able to afford many extras. In Madrid and other major cities, however, 800 euros is often easily spent, especially if your rent takes up a large chunk of your budget or you eat out frequently.
Which city offers the best value for money in terms of student life?
If there’s one city that almost always strikes the right balance, it’s Granada. It combines more affordable accommodation and student residences than the major capital cities with a vibrant university life, a very sociable atmosphere and a fairly manageable day-to-day life in terms of transport and food, so for many students it’s one of the best options in terms of the ‘what I pay’ versus ‘the experience I get’ ratio.
Granada or Salamanca, which is cheaper?
There’s no clear winner between Granada and Salamanca because the final cost depends very much on the type of accommodation you choose, whether you stay in halls of residence or a flat, and how you organise your shopping. Generally speaking, both tend to be well below Madrid’s cost of living and are considered very affordable cities for students: with the right choice of accommodation and by cooking at home, in both cases you can enjoy a full university life without breaking the bank, so the decision usually comes down more to the sort of atmosphere you’re looking for than to a huge difference in price.
