As someone who has lived in Spain for three years as an ordinary working person, I want to share the real situation regarding income and living expenses. Recently, many friends around me have been discussing this topic, especially those who have just arrived in Spain, who are always uncertain about whether their income can cover basic living expenses.
Spain’s Working Class Income Status
According to 2024 data, Spain’s legal minimum wage is 1,080 euros per month. However, in reality, most working people earn between 1,200-1,800 euros. Restaurant servers, supermarket cashiers, cleaners and other positions usually earn around the minimum wage line, while skilled workers such as electricians and hairdressers may earn 1,500-2,000 euros.
Main Living Expense Analysis
Let me use a simple table to show the basic living costs in the Madrid area:
| Expense Item | Monthly Cost | Notes |
|---|
| Rent | 400-700 | Shared room to independent apartment |
| Food | 200-300 | Mainly cooking at home |
| Transportation | 50-80 | Metro monthly pass about 55 euros |
| Utilities | 80-120 | Including all public utilities |
| Other expenses | 100-200 | Clothing, entertainment, communication, etc. |
From this table, we can see that basic living expenses range from approximately 830-1,400 euros. Housing costs account for the largest proportion, which is why many people choose to share apartments.
Personal Living Experience Sharing
Taking myself as an example, I work at a coffee shop with a monthly income of about 1,300 euros. I chose to share a room in the suburbs of Madrid with a monthly rent of 450 euros. I spend about 250 euros per month on food, mainly cooking at home with occasional dining out. Transportation costs 55 euros, and utilities shared amount to about 90 euros.
This adds up to fixed expenses of about 845 euros, leaving 455 euros for clothing, entertainment, savings, etc. Although it’s not affluent, basic living needs can be met. Of course, if you want a better quality of life, income does need to be higher.
Practical Suggestions for Saving Expenses
Based on my experience, there are several aspects that can effectively control living costs. First is housing - choosing areas that are geographically farther but have convenient transportation can save quite a bit on rent. Second is food - supermarket ingredients in Spain are reasonably priced, and cooking at home saves much more than eating out.
Taking full advantage of various discounts and offers is also important. Many supermarkets have discounted items at specific times, and cinemas, gyms, etc. often have student or youth discounts. Don’t underestimate these small savings - they really can reduce economic pressure when accumulated. Overall, working in Spain and having income cover basic living expenses is feasible - the key lies in reasonable planning and moderate saving.
