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Side by side

Galicia or Ourense?

Each place uses its own local data. National rules (economy, geopolitical stability, governance, tax & finance) are the same for both, so they cannot separate them. Neither wins everywhere; the tradeoffs below are what matter.

All about GaliciaAll about OurenseChange a place

Data as of

Region

Galicia

A green, wet corner of Spain where the Atlantic sets the pace, the seafood is superb and the villages are emptying.

Quality of life57average
Momentum71above average
Outlook–Spain-wide only
Atlantic coastGreen and rainyBilingual: Galician & SpanishSeafood countryCamino de SantiagoAffordable rent

17th of 35 European metro regions

City · Galicia

Ourense

A quiet Galician river city of hot springs, Roman bridges and very low rents, with an old population and a long way to an airport.

Quality of life60above average
Momentum75strong
Outlook–Spain-wide only
River cityHot springsInland GaliciaVery low rentsAgeing populationAffordable rent

41st of 153 Spanish cities above 50,000

Galicia is a region and Ourense a city. Each figure is that place’s own; scores compare each with its own peers (regions with regions, cities with cities), so read them side by side rather than as a contest.

Why Galicia

  • Recorded crime: 35.4 per 1,000 people vs 43.3 per 1,000 people
  • Unemployment: 8.4% vs 9.6%
  • Very low rents and house prices for a region with real cities and good food
  • Safe towns & a slow pace & long life expectancy

Watch out: Grey damp winters in stone houses that are often cold and badly heated; A small job market with modest pay and young people still leaving.

Why Ourense

  • House prices, change in a year: 0.9% vs 12.9%
  • Rents, change in a year: 2.6% vs 3.4%
  • Price of an 80 m² flat: €115,616 vs €132,544
  • Buying price per m²: €1,445 vs €1,657
  • Among the lowest housing costs of any Spanish city of its size
  • Thermal pools on the riverside path that locals use all year

Watch out: A population that is old and ageing with young people leaving; A long drive to the nearest airport.

Of 13 figures both publish in the same unit, Galicia is better on 2 and Ourense on 8; the rest are close or have no better direction.

Life domains

80 · strongHousing88 · strong
65 · above averageSafety68 · above average
60 · above averageHealthcare59 · average
32 · below averageWellbeing–
26 · below averageJobs70 · above average
13 · weakProsperity55 · average
–Climate62 · above average
–Transport55 · average
–Digital23 · weak
–Connectivity0 · weak

Side by side, figure by figure

FigureGaliciaOurenseDifference
Housing
Rent per m²€5.8 a month2024€5.1 a month2024Galicia 14% higher
Rent for a 70 m² flat€404 a month2024€355 a month2024Galicia 14% higher
Typical rent, existing lease€450 a month2024€410 a month2024Galicia 10% higher
Rents, change in a year3.4%20242.6%2024Galicia 0.8 pts higher
Buying price per m²€1,657Q2 2026€1,445Q2 2026Galicia 15% higher
Price of an 80 m² flat€132,544Q2 2026€115,616Q2 2026Galicia 15% higher
House prices, change in a year12.9%Q2 20260.9%Q2 2026Galicia 12.0 pts higher
Money & work
Unemployment8.4%20259.6%2025Galicia 1.2 pts lower
Safety
Recorded crime35.4 per 1,000 people202543.3 per 1,000 people2024Galicia 18% lower
Health
Life expectancy84.2 years202483.6 years2023about the same
Education
Adults with a university degree43%202546%2024Galicia 2.9 pts lower
People
Population2,714,7412025105,7692025Galicia 25.7×
Who lives here
Residents born abroad12.2%202517.7%2025Galicia 5.5 pts lower

Who each suits, 0–100

70Budget-conscious movers81
67Students63
62High earners and investors61
61Families with children70
58Retirees59
51Founders and self-employed46
51Culture, food and nightlife52
48Young professionals62
–Remote workers45
–Beach, mountains and the outdoors41

Our read of each

Galicia

  • Plan on Spanish from day one
  • Galician is co-official here

Ourense

  • Plan on Spanish from day one
  • Galician is co-official here
  • An older, quieter population

Data through Jun 2026 (Galicia) and Jun 2026 (Ourense). Figures are compared only when both places publish them in the same unit; a dot marks the better value where better is clear.

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