Moving to Valencia? 2025 Living Costs & Relocation Tips

Valencia is Spain’s third-largest city, sitting on the Mediterranean sea. It is known most widely for its stunning architecture, being a city steeped in rich history as a place founded in 138 BC.

If you are considering moving to Valencia, the various costs listed below will help you make an informed decision on what costs are involved when moving and living in the home of paella.

Quick Valencia Facts:

Population: 809,267 (2022 estimate). The whole metro area has an estimated population of 2.5 million.
Official Language: Spanish (de facto) with many other languages being spoken by expat residents, including English, French, German, Italian, Arabic, Portuguese and Polish.
GDP Per Capita: $22,289 USD (2024)
Valencia’s Port: Valencia’s port is the largest in the western Mediterranean. It is the biggest container port in Spain and handles 20% of Spain’s exports.
Currency: Euro (EUR). As of 2024, £1 = €1.20, $1 USD = €0.89, $1 CAD = €0.66, $1 AUD = €0.61

Sections

1. Moving and Shipping Costs to Valencia

The table below shows the estimated cost of hiring a 20- or 40-foot container from a selection of large cities in different countries, and shipping it to the orange capital of Spain:

Origin City	20FT	40FT
Beijing	$2,500 - $2,600	$4,500 - $4,700
Berlin	$2,000 - $2,100	$3,600 - $3,800
Chicago	$2,300 - $2,400	$4,200 - $4,400
Chongqing	$2,700 - $2,800	$4,900 - $5,100
Delhi	$2,650 - $2,750	$4,800 - $5,000
Dubai	$2,800 - $2,900	$5,100 - $5,300
Houston	$2,400 - $2,500	$4,300 - $4,500
Los Angeles	$2,300 - $2,400	$4,200 - $4,400
Madrid	$1,850 - $1,950	$3,400 - $3,600
New York City	$2,200 - $2,300	$4,100 - $4,300
Paris	$1,950 - $2,050	$3,500 - $3,700
Phoenix	$2,350 - $2,450	$4,300 - $4,500
Rome	$1,950 - $2,050	$3,500 - $3,700
Shanghai	$2,600 - $2,700	$4,700 - $4,900
Sydney	$3,000 - $3,100	$5,300 - $5,500
Toronto	$2,350 - $2,450	$4,300 - $4,500
Vancouver	$2,400 - $2,500	$4,400 - $4,600
Vienna	$2,050 - $2,150	$3,600 - $3,800

All figures are in USD;
The rates above are estimates only and may have changed since the time this article was updated (September 2024). They are based on the lowest estimated rate from either Freightos, Flexport, or Maersk;
To get a more accurate idea of the cost for you, please use the quote form at the top of this page;
Please also see our guide to international container shipping.

2. Valencia Housing Costs

Housing prices are very affordable compared with other major cities and comparing Valencia’s prices with those of Madrid and Barcelona. There’s a large selection of different housing types, from small studios to elegant villas. Prices obviously vary from area to area but the figures below will indicate what’s available at what price.

Monthly Rental Prices in Valencia:

1 bedroom flat (apartment) in City Centre: €800+
1 bedroom flat outside the City Centre: €575+
3 bedroomed flat in City Centre: €1,370+
3 bedroomed flat outside the City Centre: €855+

Valencia Home Purchase Prices:

Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy in City Centre: €2,645+
Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy outside City: €1,375+

Valencia Housing Cost Comparison:

This is how rents in Valencia compare with other cities around the globe.

London is 67.5% more expensive
New York is 77.9% more expensive
Los Angeles is 69.8% more expensive
Toronto is 54.1% more expensive
Vancouver is 57.2% more expensive
Sydney is 60.2% more expensive
Melbourne is 44.3% more expensive
Dubai is 53.8% more expensive
Paris is 145.02% more expensive

Source: Numbeo

How to Save on Housing Costs:

Share a Flat or House: Valencia has a selection of flat and house shares. 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 RoomLaLa, Spot a Home and Piso Compartido to find someone you can get on with to share the costs with you.
Different Areas – Different Prices: Cuitat Vella is the old heart of Valencia and is a great place to live for those who want to be close to the restaurants, bars and clubs of Valencia. The apartments in this area are small but affordable. Pla del Real is close to the university and has lots of green spaces and larger houses with gardens. The City of Arts and Sciences has some very interesting new houses which are great value for money. The newly revamped marina has upmarket apartments built to a high standard. In fact, there have been many houses and apartment blocks built along the coast of Valencia which are standing empty, giving buyers or renters the opportunity to grab a bargain.

3. Valencia Food, Grocery and Restaurant Costs

Valencia has a good selection of restaurants, bars and food stores.

Inexpensive Restaurant: €12.00 – €15.00
Takeout Coffee: €1.90 – €2.00
Bottle of Coke: €1.50 – €1.70
1L of Milk: €0.90 – €1.00
Loaf of Bread: €1.00 – €1.30
12 Eggs: €2.10 – €2.30
1kg Chicken: €6.80 – €7.00
1kg Beef: €12.00 – €16.00
1kg Apples: €1.90 – €2.50
1kg White Rice: €1.20 – €1.50

This is how restaurants and food prices compare with other major cities in the world.

New York restaurants are 50.3% more expensive and groceries are 55% more expensive than Valencia.
Los Angeles restaurants are 45% more expensive and groceries are 41.5% more expensive than Valencia.
London restaurants are 38.3% more expensive and groceries are 19.9% more expensive than Valencia.
Paris restaurants are 54.08% more expensive and groceries are 73.99% more expensive than Valencia.
Toronto restaurants are 33.1% more expensive and groceries are 33.3% more expensive than Valencia.
Vancouver restaurants are 31% more expensive and groceries are 36% more expensive than Valencia.
Sydney restaurants are 35.1% more expensive and groceries are 41.9% more expensive than Valencia.
Melbourne restaurants are 33.1% more expensive and groceries are 42.9% more expensive than Valencia.
Dubai restaurants are 30.2% more expensive and groceries are 8.1% more expensive than Valencia.

Source: Numbeo

Bonus Tips for Cheaper Food, Restaurants and Groceries:

Know Your Supermarkets: Consum, Carrefour and El Corte Ingles are the main supermarkets in Valencia. El Corte Inglés is the most expensive of the three but it has a wider selection of food and a large gourmet section. Most people in Spain buy their food at the local market which is one reason why they are so well stocked and reasonably priced. The Central Market is one of the largest and oldest in Europe and you will find everything you need on the food front. Ruzafa Market is said to have the same quality of food as the Central Market but with an authentic Valencian feel. El Cabanyal Market is directly behind the city beach and is the place to pick up some excellent fish.
Find Cheap Eats: Eating out isn’t expensive in Valencia, so any specials out there mean you have a real bargain. Have a look at the following sites to see which restaurants tantalise your taste buds – Trip Advisor, Global Graduates and Very Valencia.

4. Valencia Alcohol Costs

Valencia has a good selection of bars, clubs and nightlife. 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: €2.50 – €3.00
Bottle of imported beer at a restaurant/pub: €2.80 – €3.00
Pint (0.6L) domestic beer at a supermarket: €0.90 – €1.10
Bottle of imported beer at a supermarket: €1.40 – €1.50
Mid-range bottle of wine at a supermarket: €4.50 – €5.00

How To Drink For Less in Valencia:

Keep an eye on the local papers and websites for specials over weekends and public holidays.
Valencia 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 – Trip Advisor and Yelp.
Walk around the areas which house the tertiary institutions to find the best alcohol deals.

5. Valencia Transportation Fares

Valencia’s transportation system consists of a network of buses and the metro. The city’s well covered except for the south of the city, where the City of Arts and Science is located. The metro stops at 11.00 pm which is when most people are out enjoying their dinner but the buses continue running until the early hours of the morning on most days. For detailed information look at Spain Info.

Here are some example ticket costs.

Adult single – €1.50
One day ticket for bus and metro – €15.00
Monthly season ticket for bus, tram and metro – €30.75

How To Save Money on Public Transport:

Buy a 10-trip ticket – Bonometro pass – €7.20
Buy a 3-day ticket – €25.00
Buy a bike. There is a good system of cycle lanes all around the city
Walk. Depending on where you live and work, walking is certainly an option.

6. Cost of Internet in Valencia

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

Valencia enjoys a Mediterranean climate, with mild winters and hot summers. The hottest month of the year is August, with an average temperature of 25°C. January is the coldest month, with an average temperature of 9°C. The wettest month is October with an average of 74mm of rain falling.

Here are some clothing prices, together with other useful prices.

Pair of Jeans: €60 – €95
Summer Dress: €25 – €35
Running Shoes (Trainers): €70 – €90
Business Shoes: €80 – €100
Short Doctor’s Visit (15 mins): €65
Deodorant: €3.00
Shampoo: €3.50
Toilet Paper (4 rolls): €1.50
Gym Membership: €35 – €40 per month
Movie (cinema) Ticket: €8

Source: Numbeo and Expatistan

8. Cost of Owning a Car and Driving a Car in Valencia

Everyone in Spain drives on the right. Driving in Valencia is fine but parking is nearly impossible and, should you be lucky enough to find a space, it’s very expensive. The other problem is that local residents see no problem in double parking and blocking you in. Expect numerous scratches on your car caused by close parking.

If you’re moving to Valencia from within Spain, you’ll be able to keep your license but need to update your address with our new Valencia 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 Valencia:

Volkswagen Golf: €20,000
1 litre (¼ gallon) of Gas (petrol): €1.62
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 Valencia:

Car sharing or pooling is one way to save money. Try Carpoolworld
Taxis can sometimes be a cheaper option, especially if you have to park all day. Neither Uber nor Lyft are operating in Valencia at the moment.

9. Taxes in Valencia

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 that if you rent a property, the owner is liable for 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 Valencia

If you do make the move to Valencia, here’s approximately how much it will cost to fly to other major world cities based on the lowest, one-way fares from Skyscanner as of early 2023:

New York: €233
Los Angeles: €371
London: €22
Paris: €17
Toronto: €360
Vancouver: €503
Dubai: €158
Sydney: €557
Melbourne: €532
Cape Town: €563
Hong Kong: €443

Other Tips on Moving to Valencia:

The costs and pricing above should give you a good idea of the cost of living in Valencia but perhaps the following extra tips will make your move go smoothly.

11. Moving to Valencia 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 Valencia.

Meetups: Valencia has lots of free meetup groups you can find on Meetup.com. Join Valencia Cycling, Valencia Cinema, Spanish and Tapas, PHP Valencia and many more.
Attend Local Events: There’s always something to do and see in Valencia. Find out what’s going on from Trip Advisor

12. Moving to Valencia with a Family

Valencia is a pleasant city to live in with a family. 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: Pla del Real is considered the stately suburb of Valencia. It has some impressive buildings and parks and is close to the university. There’s a variety of housing from small apartments to newer, larger houses with gardens. The beach area of Valencia has been redeveloped over the last few years and there are attractive houses and apartments which are very suitable for families and are reasonably priced. Rascanya has a few residential estates with swimming pools, gyms and gardens. These may suit some families, but remember that there will be many tourists renting during the summer months.
Find Things To Do With The Kids: Valencia Travel Guide and Trip Advisor all have great ideas for activities and events your kids will love.

13. Moving to Valencia for Work

Moving to Valencia for work is one of the most common reasons people choose to move. The unemployment rate in Spain was 18.75% at the end of the first quarter of 2017. If you want to guarantee a job, you really need to speak Spanish as there are very few jobs available for those who don’t speak the language. 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.

Valencia is one of Spain’s leading economic centres and produces textiles, ceramic tiles (azulejos), chemicals, metals and cars amongst other things. It also has jobs in tourism, education, retail and health.

Here are a few things to consider when moving for work:

Salary: The costs we outlined above should give you a rough idea of how much more you’ll want 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 Valencia, but aren’t sure where to begin, the following sites are good places to start: Think Spain, Valencia Xpatjobs 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 Valencia from Australia

A few Australians are living in Valencia. Here’s more food for thought:

Size Comparison: If you compare the population size of Valencia with the population of a city in Australia, you’d be looking at a city a little larger than the Gold Coast. If you look at the whole metro area, then you’d be looking at a city 10% bigger than Adelaide.
Join Expat Groups: Both InterNations and Expat.com offer ways of meeting up with other Australians in Valencia.

15. Moving to Valencia from Canada

A few Canadians are living in Valencia. Here are a few extra points to consider:

Size Comparison: If you compare the population size of the city of Valencia with the population of a city in Canada, you’d be looking at a city slightly larger than Winnipeg. If you look at the whole metro area, then you’d be looking at a city 20% larger than Calgary.
Join Expat Groups: Both InterNations and Expat.com offer ways of meeting up with other Canadians in Valencia.

16. Moving to Valencia from the United States

There’s a small American contingent living and working in Valencia. If you’re considering it, here are a few bonus tips:

Size Comparison: Valencia’s population is slightly larger than that of Charlotte, and the whole metro area is the equivalent of Philadelphia.
Expat Groups: Meeting Americans who are already living and working in Valencia 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 Valencia from the United Kingdom

They are a lot of Brits living and working in Valencia. If you’re considering it, here are a few bonus tips:

Size Comparison: If you compare the population size of Valencia with a city in the UK, you’d be looking at a city a little larger than Leeds. If you compare the population of the whole of the Valencia metro, you’d be looking at a city with 50% more people than Birmingham.
Expat Groups: Meeting Brits who are already living and working in Valencia 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 Valencia you can start by comparing moving quotes here.