Alicante has a 7,000-year history, and the city and the province bear witness to that with a host of architectural wonders to visit. Today, Alicante is a city popular with the Spanish, expats and tourists alike. It sits on Spain’s Costa Blanca and enjoys a great climate, excellent food, a good quality of life and a relaxed lifestyle.
If you are considering moving to Alicante, the various costs listed below will help you make an informed decision on what costs are involved when moving and living in the capital of the province of Alicante.
Quick Alicante Facts:
- Population: 331,577 (2018).
- Official Language: Spanish (de facto) with many other languages being spoken by expat residents, including English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese and Polish.
- GDP Per Capita: $29,721.60 USD (2015)
- The Birthplace of Tapas: It is believed that tapas were first served to travellers in Alicante. They were given slices of crusty bread, topped with delicacies to accompany their beer and wine.
- Currency: Euro (EUR). As of early 2023, $1 USD = €0.95 EUR, £1 = €1.14 EUR, $1 CAD = €0.70 EUR, $1 AUD = €0.64 EUR
1. Moving and Shipping Costs to Alicante
Below are sample international shipping rates to Spain from various countries around the world.
2. Alicante Housing Costs
Housing prices are very affordable in Alicante when compared with the major cities around the world, including those in Spain. Prices vary from area to area, but the figures below will indicate what’s available at what price.
Monthly Rental Prices in Alicante:
- 1 bedroom flat (apartment) in City Centre: €650+
- 1 bedroom flat outside the City Centre: €550
- 3 bedroomed flat in City Centre: €1,000+
- 3 bedroomed flat outside the City Centre: €800+
Alicante Home Purchase Prices:
- Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy in City Centre: €2,100
- Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy outside City: €1,700
Alicante Housing Cost Comparison:
This is how rents in Alicante compare with other cities around the globe.
- London is 72% more expensive
- New York is 81.6% more expensive
- Los Angeles is 75.1% more expensive
- Toronto is 62.1% more expensive
- Vancouver is 64.7% more expensive
- Sydney is 67.2% more expensive
- Melbourne is 53.1% more expensive
- Dubai is 62.6% more expensive
- Paris is 57.2% more expensive
Source: Numbeo
How to Save on Housing Costs:
- Share a Flat or House: Young professionals and students in particular, often opt for a flat or house share. With a house/apartment share you will have your own room, or, for a cheaper option, you can share a room. The bathroom/s will be shared with other people in the house. There are many flats available for shared rental as well. Have a look at Piso Compartido, Just Landed, Gabinohome, Erasmusu and Uniplaces to find someone you can get on with to share the costs with you.
- Different Areas – Different Prices: Alicante has a wide range of housing styles, from traditional historic neighbourhoods to purpose-built seaside estates. The Old Town, with its Gothic buildings and quaint squares, has a variety of apartments. The marina is close to the city centre and has some exceptional apartments, with a price to match. However, much more affordable than most marina properties around the world. San Juan de Alicante is a popular beach area for young families. Most expats prefer to live within a 30-minute drive from the actual city to avoid the tourists and the nighttime festivities.
3. Alicante Food, Grocery and Restaurant Costs
Alicante has some excellent restaurants where you can spend hours sitting, eating and drinking, while soaking up the atmosphere.
- Inexpensive Restaurant: €12.00 – €15.00
- Takeout Coffee: €1.80 – €2.00
- Bottle of Coke: €1.50 – €2.00
- 1L of Milk: €0.90 – €1.20
- Loaf of Bread: €1.20 – €1.30
- 12 Eggs: €2.10 – €2.30
- 1kg Chicken: €7.00 – €8.00
- 1kg Beef: €12.00 – €20.00
- 1kg Apples: €1.50 – €2.00
- 1kg White Rice: €1.10 – €1.80
This is how restaurants and food prices compare with other major cities in the world.
- New York restaurants are 51.9% more expensive and groceries are 59.5% more expensive than Alicante.
- Los Angeles restaurants are 45.8% more expensive and groceries are 46.6% more expensive than Alicante.
- London restaurants are 37% more expensive and groceries are 24.2% more expensive than Alicante.
- Paris restaurants are 30.1% more expensive and groceries are 44.6% more expensive than Alicante.
- Toronto restaurants are 36.5% more expensive and groceries are 39.3% more expensive than Alicante.
- Vancouver restaurants are 32.5% more expensive and groceries are 41.6% more expensive than Alicante.
- Sydney restaurants are 38.4% more expensive and groceries are 47% more expensive than Alicante.
- Melbourne restaurants are 35.6% more expensive and groceries are 47.6% more expensive than Alicante.
- Dubai restaurants are 32.8% more expensive and groceries are 16.1% more expensive than Alicante.
Source: Numbeo
Bonus Tips for Cheaper Food, Restaurants and Groceries:
- Know Your Supermarkets: El Corte Ingles is a supermarket chain similar to the UK’s Marks and Spencers, and there is a large one in Alicante. Carrefour and Dia also have several well-stocked, reasonably priced stores in Alicante. At the cheapest end is the well-known supermarket, Aldi. Alicante has a few excellent food markets, the largest being Mercado Central. The market is on two floors and sells an amazing selection of fish, fruit, vegetables and meat. Just outside the market is a beautiful flower stall which sells fruit trees and bouquets of flowers. Two other farmer’s markets worth visiting are Mercat de la Terra Arrels and the Farm Shop at la Huerta de Monnegre.
- Find Cheap Eats: There are always restaurants that offer specials at some time during the week. In Alicante, you’ll find lots of discounted meals out of season. Have a look at the following sites to see which restaurants tantalise your taste buds – What Alicante, Trip Advisor, My Guide Alicante and World Travel Guide.
4. Alicante Alcohol Costs
Alicante has a vibrant and exciting nightlife with a large selection of bars and clubs. The following is a list of basic prices of beer and wine from the supermarket and restaurants.
- Pint (0.6L) domestic beer at a restaurant/pub: €3.00 – €3.50
- Bottle of imported beer at a restaurant/pub: €3.00 – €3.50
- Pint (0.6L) domestic beer at a supermarket: €1.00 – €1.50
- Bottle of imported beer at a supermarket: €1.50 – €2.00
- Mid-range bottle of wine at a supermarket: €4.00 – €5.00
How To Drink For Less in Alicante:
- Keep an eye on the local papers and websites for specials over weekends and public holidays.
- Alicante has many bars and clubs which offer their guests specials at certain times of the day or evening. Have a look at the following sites to find where your favourite tipple is on special – Yelp, Trip Advisor and Yelp Beer.
- Walk around the areas which house the tertiary institutions to find the best alcohol deals.
5. Alicante Transportation Fares
Alicante’s public transportation system consists of buses, trams and regional trains. An app for the bus routes, Alicante Bus, was recently introduced, giving users access to all routes, times and fares.
Here are some example ticket costs.
- Adult single – €1.45
- One day ticket for bus and tram – €5.00
- Monthly season ticket for bus and tram – €37.50
How To Save Money on Public Transport:
- Buy a 30-trip ticket for €21.50
- Buy a bike. Cycling around the city is certainly an option, although perhaps best avoided during peak holiday season.
- Walk. Depending on where you live and work, walking is certainly an option.
6. Cost of Internet in Alicante
Here are some sample broadband internet prices from early 2023 for unlimited downloads, based on a 12-month contract:
- Ono: €33.40 a month (fiber broadband up to 600mb)
- Orange: €30.95 a month (fiber broadband up to 500mb)
7. Cost of Clothing, Personal Items, Gym and Leisure
Alicante has a semi-arid climate with hot, dry summers and mild winters. The hottest month is August, with an average high of 27°C. January is the coldest month, with an average daily temperature of 12°C. September and October are the wettest months with heavy showers, rather than all-day rain.
Here are some clothing prices, together with other useful prices.
- Pair of Jeans: €70 – €90
- Summer Dress: €30 – €40
- Running Shoes (Trainers): €70 – €80
- Business Shoes: €75 – €100
- Short Doctor’s Visit (15 mins): €45
- Deodorant: €2.50
- Shampoo: €3.00
- Toilet Paper (4 rolls): €1.75
- Gym Membership: €30 – €50 per month
- Movie (cinema) Ticket: €7.50 – €9
Source: Numbeo and Expatistan
8. Cost of Owning a Car and Driving a Car in Alicante
Everyone in Spain drives on the right. Driving in Alicante is fine out of the major holiday season. During the holiday periods, traffic congestion is a problem.
If you’re moving to Alicante from within Spain, you’ll be able to keep your license but need to update your address with our new Alicante one at your nearest traffic office.
If you live outside the EU, then you can drive on that licence for six months. If your foreign licence is not in Spanish, then you must obtain a Spanish translation or get an International Driving Licence. After this six-month period, you must obtain a Spanish driving licence.
If you are from an EU country then you will need to get a Spanish licence after being in the country for two years. However, you must register your details with the Central Register of Drivers and Minor Offenders after six months. Note that persons under the age of 18 are not allowed to drive in Spain.
Residents of certain countries can exchange their licence, other people will need to take a Spanish driving test – both written and practical. Expatica.com has useful information in English for expats wanting to drive in Spain.
If you are taking a car with you to Spain, you can drive it for 6 months without registering it in Spain. After the 6 months period, you have 30 days to register it.
Here are some other sample costs of owning and operating a car in Alicante:
- Volkswagen Golf: €25,750
- 1 litre (¼ gallon) of Gas (petrol): €1.67
- Registration Fee (if any): the cost depends on the size of the vehicle and its CO2 emissions.
Source: Expatistan
Ways To Save Money on Driving in Alicante:
- Car sharing or pooling is one way to save money. Try Carpoolworld.
- Taxis can sometimes be a cheaper option, especially if you are going to have to park all day. Try Uber.
9. Taxes in Alicante
No matter where you live in Spain, you will pay the same rate of tax. Sales tax, or VAT (Value Added Tax), is 21% in Spain and is included in the price that is advertised.
If you own a property in Spain you will need to pay IBI tax. The amount varies depending on the size of the property, the services you receive and the area it’s in. Note if you rent a property, it is the owner who pays IBI, not the tenant.
Finally, if you decide to buy a flat or house in Spain, you’ll have to pay various taxes and fees. There is a property transfer tax of between 5% and 10%, VAT is payable at 10% on new properties, notary costs, title deed tax and land registration fees are between 1% and 2.5% of the purchase price and legal fees will cost between 1% and 2%.
10. Flight Costs from Alicante
If you do make the move to Alicante, here’s approximately how much it will cost to fly to other major world cities based on lowest, one-way fares from Skyscanner as of early 2023:
- New York: €250
- Los Angeles: €390
- London: €25
- Paris: €20
- Toronto: €320
- Vancouver: €350
- Dubai: €200
- Sydney: €900
- Melbourne: €1,300
- Cape Town: €580
- Hong Kong: €580
Other Tips on Moving to Alicante
The costs and pricing above should give you a good idea of the cost of living in Alicante but perhaps the following extra tips will make your move go smoothly.
11. Moving to Alicante Alone
Moving anywhere can be a lonely experience, but moving to a new city can be rather daunting. Here are a few tips about settling into Alicante.
- Meetups: Alicante has lots of free meetup groups you can find on Meetup.com. Join Alicante Outdoor Yoga, WordPress Alicante, Alicante Food Lovers, Weekend Adventures Walking Group and many more.
- Attend Local Events: Alicante is a vibrant city with lots of events happening every day. Find out what’s going on from Alicante Today, Alicante and Trip Advisor.
12. Moving to Alicante with a Family
Alicante has a lot to offer families. The beach, history, culture, architecture, green spaces and parks, and a choice of good private schools. Here’s some extra food for thought.
- New Parents (or parents to be): Mums Abroad is an excellent site which will give you information on antenatal classes, postnatal classes and general parenting. It’s an interactive site so you can ask for information directly.
- Live in a Family-friendly Area: Families with young children are happy to live in the beachfront areas of Alicante. These areas only have apartments to offer. Most expat families live within a 30-minute drive from Alicante in villages and towns such as Moraira, Fleix, Campell, Val de Laguar, Fontilles, Benissa and Javea.
- Find Things To Do With The Kids: TripHobo, Trip Advisor and Lonely Planet all have great ideas for activities and events your kids will love.
13. Moving to Alicante for Work
Most people move to Alicante to retire but some do move for work or to study. Unemployment is high in Spain, the unemployment rate in Spain rose to 18.75% during the first quarter of 2017. While it is possible to move without a job, it makes sense to ensure there are jobs in your field before you make the move.
The main employers in Alicante are the service industry and construction. Most people in hospitality, tourism and retail speak English, so you would probably be able to get a job in those areas without speaking fluent Spanish. For a job in the construction industry, fluent Spanish would definitely be an advantage. The Port of Alicante is also a major employer and the port is one of the busiest commercial ports in Spain. Teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) experts are in great demand.
Here are a few things to consider when moving for work:
- Salary: The costs we outlined above should give you a rough idea, how much more you’ll want to make to make the move worthwhile. You can also check salary ranges on sites such as Glassdoor and Payscale.
- How To Find Work: If you want to have a job lined up before you move to Alicante, but aren’t sure where to begin, the following sites are good places to start: Think Spain, The Local, Xpat Jobs and Reed. You may also want to Google recruiters in your industry, as they can often help land you some initial interviews as well.
14. Moving to Alicante from Australia
There are quite a few Australians living in Alicante. If you are thinking of boosting their numbers, here’s more food for thought:
- Size Comparison: If you compare the population size of Alicante with the population of a city in Australia, you’d be looking at the Sunshine Coast.
- Join Expat Groups: Both InterNations and Expat.com offer ways of meeting up with other Australians in Alicante.
15. Moving to Alicante from Canada
There are a number of Canadians living in Alicante. Here are a few extra points to consider:
- Size Comparison: If you compare the population size of the city of Alicante with the population of a city in Canada, you’d be looking at Victoria, Columbia.
- Join Expat Groups: Both InterNations and Expat.com offer ways of meeting up with other Canadians in Alicante.
16. Moving to Alicante from the United States
There’s a small American contingent living and working in Alicante. If you’re considering it, here are a few bonus tips:
- Size: The population of Alicante is roughly the same as that of Santa Ana, California.
- Expat Groups: Meeting Americans who are already living and working in Alicante is an excellent way to make friends and learn how to integrate quickly into your new life. InterNations and Expat.com will enable you to meet other expats from the States and other countries.
17. Moving to Alicante from the United Kingdom
They are a lot of Brits living and working in Alicante. If you’re considering it, here are a few bonus tips:
- Size: If you compare the population size of Alicante with a city in the UK, you’d be looking at The Wirral.
- Expat Groups: Meeting Brits who are already living and working in Madrid is an excellent way to make friends and learn all about living in the city. Have a look at the following sites to find people from home – InterNations and Expat.com.
Hopefully, the tips and costs above are helpful. If want to get started pricing out how much it will cost you to move to Alicante you can start by comparing moving quotes here.