How Much Life in Valencia Really Costs: A Month-by-Month Breakdown
Let’s be real: moving abroad with two kids, two dogs, and a husband who owns exactly one sweater is… a lot. But when we traded Seattle rain for Valencian sunshine, we also traded high living costs for a slower, more joyful lifestyle—and yes, a healthier bank account.
So if you're curious about how far your dollars (or euros) stretch in Valencia in 2025, here's our honest monthly cost breakdown—as a real family of four (plus Bobby and Tony, our ridiculous Chinese Cresteds) living in Benicalap.
What We Spend Each Month as a Family of Four
We’re not living extravagantly, but we’re not scrimping either. This is what life looks like when you're living well—but not wild—in Valencia.
Housing: €1,900
We rent a modern, sunny 3-bedroom apartment in Benicalap—close to parks, bike paths, and still within metro reach of the beach and Ruzafa’s wine bars (priorities!). Rent has gone up a bit in 2025, and we opted for space over savings so the girls each have their own room and the dogs have tile to zoom on.
Groceries: €650–750
Fresh produce, local eggs, Spanish olive oil... and somehow we still spend less than we ever did at Trader Joe’s. We shop at Mercadona, local markets, and sprinkle in eco goodies from Veritas. Bonus: no impulse-buying frozen orange chicken.
Dining Out: €300–400
You can eat out ridiculously cheaply in Valencia. But we like to mix it up—almuerzo with friends, pizza nights with the girls, date night tapas with Cory when we bribe Frances to babysit. 😄
School: €1,500
Both girls go to a private Montessori school. It’s worth every cent. Smaller classes, bilingual immersion, and Frances comes home explaining things I’ve never heard of. Evelyn mostly finger-paints, but in Spanish.
Health Insurance: €280
We use private insurance (DKV). It’s comprehensive, visa-compliant, and includes pediatric care, gynecology, dental... everything. And guess what? No co-pays. It’s dreamy.
Transportation: €50
We don’t own a car! Metro, trams, buses, walking, and Cory’s borderline-obsessive biking habit cover everything. Public transport here is fast, safe, and stroller-friendly.
Phones & Internet: €80
Orange mobile for both adults + fiber Wi-Fi. It's fast, reliable, and doesn’t randomly drop calls during your visa appointment.
Dog Stuff: €60
Bobby and Tony = royal treatment. Food, flea meds, vet checkups, and the occasional "I-rolled-in-mystery-goop" bath.
Utilities: €250(seasonal)
Electricity + water + natural gas. Summers spike with A/C. Winters = sweaters and space heaters. No central heating in most apartments!
Monthly Total: ~€5,500
That’s for a comfortable, mid-upscale lifestyle in a family-sized flat, with private school and wine night guilt-free.
Want to Verify This?
We love Numbeo.com, the most reliable crowd-sourced cost of living tool. You can compare cities like:
Valencia vs. New York
Valencia vs. Austin
Valencia vs. San Diego
U.S. City Comparison: Cost of Living
Here’s how Valencia stacks up against 5 similar-sized U.S. cities in 2025, based on Numbeo and local expat reports:
| City | Monthly Rent (3BR) | Grocery Cost Index | Dining Out Index | Safety Index | Overall Cost Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valencia 🇪🇸 | €1,900 | 47.8 | 55.1 | 64.5 | 46.2 |
| Austin 🇺🇸 | €3,200 | 71.2 | 78.6 | 57.0 | 73.3 |
| Portland 🇺🇸 | €3,000 | 68.3 | 75.4 | 53.1 | 70.8 |
| San Diego 🇺🇸 | €3,600 | 70.1 | 82.3 | 52.0 | 76.5 |
| Denver 🇺🇸 | €3,000 | 69.5 | 76.0 | 58.3 | 72.9 |
| Charlotte 🇺🇸 | €2,800 | 65.2 | 72.1 | 59.6 | 69.4 |
Final Thoughts From Amanda
People always ask, “But what’s the catch?” Honestly, the biggest catch is that we didn’t do this sooner. We spend less. We stress less. And we live way, way more.
If you're dreaming of slowing down, spending smarter, and actually enjoying your Tuesday... Valencia might be calling you too.