Located on Spain’s south-eastern Mediterranean coast, Alicante is a charming city known for its stunning beaches, historic landmarks and vibrant lifestyle. As the true capital of the Costa Blanca, Alicante attracts tourists, expats and residents from other regions of Spain who have praised its health-friendly climate, rich cultural heritage and laid-back atmosphere. From the iconic Santa Barbara Castle to the lively promenade – Passeig de l’Esplanada d’Espanya, Alicante successfully combines loyalty to tradition with a commitment to innovation, making this cosmopolitan city such an attractive place to live and enjoy an unforgettable holiday.
Cost of living in Alicante in 2025
Living in Alicante can be quite a cost-effective and appealing option compared to living in many other European cities. Below, we take a detailed look at the main costs here.
Food in Alicante 2025
Alicante’s culinary scene is both delicious and budget-friendly. Here’s what you can expect to spend.
Prices in Chain Supermarkets (on Average):
- Apples, 1kg – 2.08 €
- Banana, 1kg – 1.57 €
- Beef Round, 1kg or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat – 11.25 €
- Bottle of Wine, Mid-Range – 4.00 €
- Chicken Fillets, 1kg – 7.33 €
- Cigarettes, 20-Pack, Marlboro – 5.12 €.
- Domestic Beer, 0.5 l bottle – 0.99 €
- Eggs (12), Regular – 2.62 €
- Imported Beer, 0.33 l bottle – 1.54 €
- Lettuce, 1 head – 1.93 €
- Loaf of Fresh White Bread, 500g – 1.66 €
- Local Cheese, 1kg – 9.13 €
- Milk, Regular, 1 l – 1.09 €
- Onion, 1kg – 1.22 €
- Oranges, 1kg – 1.24 €
- Potato, 1kg – 1.48 €
- Rice, White, 1kg – 1.20 €
- Tomato, 1kg – 2.05 €
- Water, 1.5 l bottle – 0.58 €
Dining Out: A three-course meal at a mid-range restaurant costs around 25 € per person, while a meal at a local tapas bar can be as low as 10-15 €.
Restaurants:
- Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant – 15.00 €
- Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course – 50.00 €
- McMeal at McDonalds or Equivalent Combo Meal – 9.00 €
- Domestic Beer, 0.5 l draught – 2.50 €
- Imported Beer, 0.33 l bottle – 3.50 €
- Cappuccino, Regular – 1.85 €
- Coke/Pepsi, 0.33 l bottle – 1.93 €
- Water, 0.33 l bottle – 1.40 €.
Transportation in Alicante 2025
Alicante’s public transportation system is efficient and inexpensive:
- Bus and Tram Tickets: A single ticket costs 1.45 €, while monthly passes are available for 23.50 €.
- Taxis and Ride-Sharing: Taxis start at 1.45 €, with additional charges of approximately 1.20 € per kilometer.
As for private motor vehicle:
- Gasoline (1 liter): 1.55 €
- Volkswagen Golf 1.4 l or Equivalent New Car: 33,365.00 €
- Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6 l or Equivalent New Car: 26,000.00 €.
Utilities in Alicante 2025
In 2025, utilities are also reasonably priced in Alicante:
- Basic bills for a 85m2-flat (including electricity, heating, cooling, water, and garbage) typically amount to 104.57 € per month.
Additional costs:
- Mobile Phone, Monthly Plan – 17.36 €
- Internet, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL – 28.17 €.
Sports and Leisure in Alicante 2025
Monthly gym memberships cost approximately 30 € to 50 €, depending on the facilities and location. Movie tickets are priced at about 8-10 €, and cultural attractions like museums and galleries often have affordable entry fees.
When it comes to outdoor activities, Alicante provides a variety of parks, beaches, and recreational spaces where residents can enjoy spending their time either for free or at a very low cost.
Education in Alicante 2025
For families, Alicante offers a mix of public and private educational institutions:
- Public Schools: Free for residents, though some additional costs for materials may apply
- Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, Monthly, 1 Child: 616.67€ (450.00-900.00 €)
- International Primary School, Yearly, 1 Child: 9,150.00 € (6,000.00-14,400.00 €)
- Language Schools: Spanish lessons for expats cost around €15 to €20 per hour.
Clothes and Shoes in Alicante 2025
In Alicante, the cost of clothing and footwear is generally moderate, with prices varying based on brand and store. Here are some average prices:
- 1 Pair of Jeans: 61 € (36.00-80.00 €)
- 1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store: 27 € (18.00-30.00 €)
- 1 Pair of Mid-Range Running Shoes: 84.29 (55.00-125.00 €)
- 1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes: 95 € (65.00-100.00 €).
Property in Alicante in 2025
Alicante’s real estate market is competitive but still affordable compared to other major cities of Spain and the European Union.
The average property price in Alicante is currently 2,265 €/m², reflecting an 18.2% increase compared to 2024. Prices vary significantly by district:
- Playa de San Juan-El Cabo: 3,117 €/m² (+13.9%) – The most expensive area, known for its gorgeous beachfront properties.
- Centro: 2,957 €/m² (+13.9%) – A prime area with cultural attractions and commercial properties
- Parque Avenidas-Vistahermosa: 2,353 €/m² (+8.1%) – A well-connected residential area.
- Benalua-La Florida-Babel-San Gabriel: 2,117 €/m² (+24.4%) – A modern and rapidly developing area.
- Plà del Bon Repòs-La Goleta-San Antón: 2,050 €/m² (+20.2%) – Offers a mix of modern and traditional homes.
- San Blas-Pau: 2,085 €/m² (+16.1%) – Developed infrastructure and proximity to the city center make it a popular housing option in Alicante.
- Campoamor-Carolinas-Altozano: 1,602 €/m² (+22.0%) – A more affordable alternative with strong growth.
- Villafranqueza-Santa Faz-Monegre: 1,605 €/m² (+10.7%) – A quieter and comfortable area.
- Los Ángeles-Tómbola-San Nicolás: 1,449 €/m² (+26.5%) – A working-class area with a diverse and multicultural population and green areas, it is currently the fastest growing area in Alicante.
- Virgen del Remedio-Juan XXIII: 960 €/m² (+19.8%) – The most budget-friendly option, but there are some peculiarities.
With steady price growth across all districts, Alicante remains an attractive destination for property investment in 2025.
As For Rent Per Month:
- 1-Bedroom Apartment in City Centre – 858.08 € (700.00-1,000.00 €)
- 1-Bedroom Apartment Outside of Centre – 669.99 € (500.00-900.00 €)
- 3-Bedrooms Apartment in City Centre – 1,242.86 € (850.00-1,859.86 €)
- 3-Bedrooms Apartment Outside of Centre – 866.67 € (700.00-1,200.00€).
As For Buy Apartment:
- Price per m2 to Buy Apartment in City Centre – 2,588.80 € (2,100.00-3,600.00 €)
- Price per m2 to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre – 1,700.00 € (1,200.00-2,500.00 €).
Mortgage Rates
Typical interest rates here range from 3.5% to 4%, depending on the lender and loan terms.
Average Salaries in Alicante 2025
In Alicante, as of 2025, the average annual salary is approximately 33,053 €, equating to an hourly rate of 16 € (Source: SALARYEXPERT.COM).
Highest-Paid Professions in Alicante 2025
- Finance and Insurance Executives: These roles are among the top earners in Spain, with 64.8% receiving more than 2,295.20 € monthly.
- Information Technology Professionals: Positions such as Cyber Security Analysts and Software Developers in Alicante have estimated average annual salaries of 30,000 € and €21,000 €, respectively.
Lowest-Paid Professions in Alicante 2025
- Hospitality Workers: In Spain, individuals in accommodation and food services earn an average of 14,809 € annually.
- Cleaners: This occupation is among the lowest-paid in Spain, with an average monthly wage of 997.30 €.
For those seeking higher-paying opportunities in Alicante, sectors such as finance, insurance, and information technology may offer more lucrative positions.
As today, the net average monthly salary in Alicante is approximately 1,653.33 €.
Cost of Living in Alicante Compared to Other European Cities in 2025
Alicante offers a high quality of life at a lower cost compared to many major European cities. Let’s look it in more details:
London
You would need approximately 2,929.9 £ (3,493.8 €) in Alicante to enjoy the same standard of living as £6,700.0 in London (assuming you rent in both cities). This comparison is based on the cost of living plus rent index and considers net earnings after income tax.
- Consumer Prices Without Rent in Alicante are 46.3% lower than in London;
- Consumer Prices Including Rent in Alicante are 56.3% lower than in London;
- Rent Prices in Alicante are 71.4% lower than in London;
- Restaurant Prices in Alicante are 40.6% lower than in London;
- Groceries Prices in Alicante are 36.3% lower than in London;
- Local Purchasing Power in Alicante is 2.7% lower than in London.
Paris
To maintain the same standard of living as 6,100 € in Paris, you would need approximately 3,479 € in Alicante, assuming you are renting in both cities.
- Consumer Prices Without Rent in Alicante are 39.7% lower than in Paris;
- Consumer Prices Including Rent in Alicante are 43.0% lower than in Paris;
- Rent Prices in Alicante are 50.6% lower than in Paris;
- Restaurant Prices in Alicante are 26.2% lower than in Paris;
- Groceries Prices in Alicante are 45.2% lower than in Paris;
- Local Purchasing Power in Alicante is 4.8% lower than in Paris.
Berlin
You would need approximately 3,464 € in Alicante to achieve the same standard of living as 5,200 € in Berlin, assuming rental costs in both cities.
- Consumer Prices Without Rent in Alicante are 31.0% lower than in Berlin;
- Consumer Prices Including Rent in Alicante are 33.4% lower than in Berlin;
- Rent Prices in Alicante are 39.4% lower than in Berlin;
- Restaurant Prices in Alicante are 20.0% lower than in Berlin;
- Groceries Prices in Alicante are 29.7% lower than in Berlin;
- Local Purchasing Power in Alicante is 21.3% lower than in Berlin.
Rome
You would require about 3,505.10 € in Alicante to maintain the same standard of living as 4,600 € in Rome, assuming you are renting in both cities.
- Consumer Prices Without Rent in Alicante are 19.7% lower than in Rome;
- Consumer Prices Including Rent in Alicante are 23.8% lower than in Rome;
- Rent Prices in Alicante are 33.4% lower than in Rome;
- Restaurant Prices in Alicante are 11.4% lower than in Rome;
- Groceries Prices in Alicante are 24.7% lower than in Rome;
- Local Purchasing Power in Alicante is 23.0% higher than in Rome.
Madrid
To enjoy the same quality of life as 4,600 € in Madrid, you would need approximately 3,474 € in Alicante, assuming you rent in both cities.
- Consumer Prices Without Rent in Alicante are 16.5% lower than in Madrid;
- Consumer Prices Including Rent in Alicante are 24.5% lower than in Madrid;
- Rent Prices in Alicante are 40.6% lower than in Madrid;
- Restaurant Prices in Alicante are 11.5% lower than in Madrid;
- Groceries Prices in Alicante are 15.0% lower than in Madrid;
- Local Purchasing Power in Alicante is 1.0% higher than in Madrid.
To summarize, the relatively low cost of living in Alicante, combined with its Mediterranean charm and modern amenities, makes this resort an attractive destination for anyone looking to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle in Europe.
If you are planning to relocate or simply interested in this Spanish gem, it is worth noting: in 2025 Alicante succeeds in maintaining a fine balance of affordability of housing, services and products without losing anything in the consistently high quality of life.
