Region · Spain · All places
A small green region of beaches, mountains and a graceful seaside capital, with the cool summers of the north.
Cantabria is a compact region on Spain's northern coast, between Asturias and the Basque Country. In one hour you can go from a long sandy beach to a green valley to a mountain pass in the Picos de Europa. Santander, the capital, is a seaside city built around a wide bay, with a long history of summer holidays.
Most of the population lives on the coast, in Santander and in the industrial towns around it. The rest of the region is small villages, cattle pastures and stone houses, with some of the best landscapes in northern Spain. It is a quiet, comfortable, outdoorsy place with a small job market. The region has 593,623 residents (2025).
Data as of · the latest figures cover Jun 2026
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What the data says
Cantabria is weaker on prosperity and jobs. A typical 70 m² rental costs about €505 a month (2024).
Who it suits, 0 to 100
Practical conclusions we draw from Cantabria’s figures. They are inferences, not official statistics: each says what it rests on.
You will meet English speakers, mostly in the centre and at international employers. Shops, landlords and schools expect Spanish. Contracts, the town hall and most doctors work in Spanish.
Non-urgent surgery takes longer than in most of Spain. Many residents add private health insurance.
Anchovies from Santoña, seafood, mountain stew and dairy that is among the best in Spain.
Seaside-town speed, with terraces, bay walks and an orderly capital.
Santander's old streets and terraces fill at weekends, and the rest of the region is calm.
One real city on a bay, industrial Torrelavega and small stone villages in the hills.
Spanish only, with a soft local accent and no co-official regional language.
Santiago week in Santander in July and the international festival in August.
Surf at Somo, long beaches at Laredo and hiking in the Picos de Europa and Liébana.
Cantabria moves at the speed of a seaside town. Santander has an elegant promenade, a long city beach called El Sardinero and a social life based on cafés, terraces and walks along the bay. The Palacio de la Magdalena sits on its peninsula, and the Centro Botín, an arts centre on the waterfront, has become the city's cultural hub.
Food is simple and good: anchovies from Santoña, seafood, a mountain stew called cocido montañés, rich sponge cakes and some of the best dairy in Spain. Towns such as Comillas, Santillana del Mar and Santoña are small and attractive, and many of the best beaches are quiet outside summer. Somo has the surf scene, and Laredo has a very long beach.
Inland, the Liébana valley and the Picos de Europa offer mountain hiking, and the Saja-Besaya reserve has forest and wildlife. The prehistoric cave art of Altamira, near Santillana del Mar, is world famous, although the original cave is closed to the public and a replica is visited.
Cantabria was a royal summer retreat in the nineteenth century, when the Spanish court and the rich families of Madrid came to the coast to escape the heat. That is why Santander has grand seafront villas, a palace on a peninsula and a tradition of cultural summer courses. Industry grew along the bay and in Torrelavega, and banking made Santander an important financial centre.
Today the economy mixes services, tourism, food (anchovies and dairy are famous), banking and light industry. With so few people and one main city, the labour market is small but tight. Unemployment is 7.3% (2025), and the average gross salary is €27,097 a year (2024). The population is older than average, because young people have moved to larger cities, and the jobs dimension comes out below average.
Costs are lower than in the Basque Country and much lower than in Madrid, though higher than in neighbouring Asturias because the coast is popular with second-home owners. A typical 70 m² flat rents for about €505 a month (2024), and buying costs €2,122 per square metre (Q2 2026). Housing comes out average.
The region is safe. Homicides are 0.51 per 100k people (2024), and life expectancy is 84.0 years (2024). Burglary is the one crime that stands out, as holiday homes stand empty for much of the year.
Figures for Cantabria. Each shows the period it covers.
Each card uses Cantabria data only and compares it with other regions. Open “Why this score?” to see the measures behind it.
Housing is around the middle: behind most Spanish regions.
Households spending >40% of income on housing: 6.70% — better than 71% of European metro regions
Average: 59 out of 100, where 50 is typical for the comparison group. These are the measures behind it.
| Measure | Value | Compared with peers |
|---|---|---|
| Households spending >40% of income on housingCantabria · 2025 | 6.70% | better than 71% of European metro regions |
| Rent per m²Cantabria · 2024 | 7.22 €/m² a month | better than 45% of Spanish regions |
| Rents, change in a yearCantabria · 2024 | 3.30% | better than 53% of Spanish regions |
| Buying price per m²Cantabria · 2026-Q2 | 2,122 €/m² | better than 39% of Spanish regions |
| House prices, change in a yearCantabria · 2026-Q2 | 13.5% | better than 45% of Spanish regions |
Safety is around the middle: better than most European metro regions.
Thefts: 196 per 100k people — better than 100% of European metro regions
Average: 59 out of 100, where 50 is typical for the comparison group. These are the measures behind it.
| Measure | Value | Compared with peers |
|---|---|---|
| HomicidesCantabria · 2024 | 0.51 per 100k people | better than 80% of European metro regions |
| Recorded crimeCantabria · 2025 | 43.1 per 1,000 people | better than 56% of Spanish regions |
| RobberiesCantabria · 2024 | 41.5 per 100k people | better than 78% of European metro regions |
| BurglariesCantabria · 2024 | 187 per 100k people | better than 40% of European metro regions |
| Road deathsCantabria · 2024 | 3.20 per 100k people | better than 32% of European metro regions |
| Assault rateCantabria · 2024 | 265 per 100k people | better than 59% of European metro regions |
| TheftsCantabria · 2024 | 196 per 100k people | better than 100% of European metro regions |
| Vehicle theftsCantabria · 2024 | 17.8 per 100k people | better than 94% of European metro regions |
Wellbeing is around the middle: around the middle of European metro regions.
At risk of poverty: 13.9% — better than 57% of European metro regions
Average: 58 out of 100, where 50 is typical for the comparison group. These are the measures behind it.
| Measure | Value | Compared with peers |
|---|---|---|
| At risk of povertyCantabria · 2025 | 13.9% | better than 57% of European metro regions |
| Material deprivationCantabria · 2025 | 5.00% | better than 59% of European metro regions |
Healthcare is around the middle: behind most European metro regions.
Wait for a specialist appointment: 61.0 days — better than 85% of Spanish regions
Average: 44 out of 100, where 50 is typical for the comparison group. These are the measures behind it.
| Measure | Value | Compared with peers |
|---|---|---|
| Wait for a specialist appointmentCantabria · 2025-H2 | 61.0 days | better than 85% of Spanish regions |
| Wait for surgeryCantabria · 2025-H2 | 137 days | better than 15% of Spanish regions |
| DoctorsCantabria · 2024 | 490 per 100k people | better than 35% of European metro regions |
| Life expectancyCantabria · 2024 | 84.0 years | better than 79% of European metro regions |
| Infant mortalityCantabria · 2024 | 4.00 per 1,000 births | better than 13% of European metro regions |
Jobs is below average: in the bottom quarter of European metro regions.
Jobs in high-tech sectors: 3.30% of jobs — worse than 96% of European metro regions
Below average: 34 out of 100, where 50 is typical for the comparison group. These are the measures behind it.
| Measure | Value | Compared with peers |
|---|---|---|
| Median gross salaryCantabria · 2024 | 23,247 € a year per worker | better than 50% of Spanish regions |
| UnemploymentCantabria · 2025 | 7.30% | better than 35% of European metro regions |
| Employment rate (20–64)Cantabria · 2025 | 73.7% | better than 21% of European metro regions |
| Long-term unemploymentCantabria · 2025 | 2.00% of the workforce | better than 47% of European metro regions |
| Youth unemployment (15–24)Cantabria · 2025 | 19.8% | better than 32% of European metro regions |
| Labour-force participationCantabria · 2025 | 73.8% | better than 24% of European metro regions |
| Youth not in employment/education/trainingCantabria · 2025 | 7.90% | better than 71% of European metro regions |
| Jobs in high-tech sectorsCantabria · 2025 | 3.30% of jobs | better than 4% of European metro regions |
Prosperity is weak: in the bottom quarter of European metro regions.
Economic output per person: 33,400 PPS per person — worse than 88% of European metro regions
Weak: 13 out of 100, where 50 is typical for the comparison group. These are the measures behind it.
| Measure | Value | Compared with peers |
|---|---|---|
| Household income per personCantabria · 2023 | 20,300 PPS per person | better than 15% of European metro regions |
| Economic output per personCantabria · 2024 | 33,400 PPS per person | better than 12% of European metro regions |
What we cannot score for Cantabria yet
The climate is mild and humid, with cool summers and mild but wet winters. The sea keeps temperatures even. Rain is frequent, and there are many grey days, but the summer is among the most comfortable in Spain.
Cantabria is a summer region: from June to September it fills with visitors from the interior of Spain, who come to escape the heat. Winter is quiet, green and damp. If you work from home or are retired and enjoy the quiet, that can be a pleasure, and if you need sun, it is a trial.
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68/100 · above average · 9th of 35 European metro regions
7.3% in 2025
5.4% in Sep 2026
2.5% in 2024
33,400 PPS in 2024
13.5% in Q2 2026
€7.2 per m² a month in 2024
€2,122 per m² in Q2 2026
84.0 years in 2024
73.7% in 2025
Facts about the people who live in Cantabria. Shown as context only: none of this changes a score.
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Cost of living and housing by region
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Fit from the data, 0 to 100, against other Spanish regions. Open a group to see the figures behind it.
Attractive seaside living, good restaurants and little crime. The luxury and business scene is small.
Not measured yet: Average dwelling size, Distance to the main airport, Education, Environment, Income tax and social security, average earner, Total tax on labour, average earner.
Cool summers, safety, good healthcare and an easy, scenic life. The rain and the hills are the only drawbacks.
Not measured yet: Climate, Cost of Living, Days above 35 °C, Environment, Frost days, Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), Pleasant days (18–28 °C, dry).
Reasonable prices for a coastal region, with strong public services. Salaries are modest.
Not measured yet: Cost of Living, Price level vs EU average.
The University of Cantabria is well regarded, and Santander is a pleasant, safe city for students. Nightlife is modest.
Nothing stands out.
Not measured yet: Commute by public transport, Cost of Living, Cycle most, Education, Lifestyle, Median age, Price level vs EU average, Transport, Walk most.
Small, safe towns, beaches, nature and decent schools make this a good place to raise children. Jobs are limited outside Santander.
Better in the region for families with children: Santander (62), Torrelavega (55)
Not measured yet: 15-year-olds' maths (PISA), Average commute (one way), Average dwelling size, Childcare availability, Education, Environment, Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), Pre-primary participation.
Low costs and a supportive regional administration, but a small local market and few investors.
Nothing stands out.
Better in the region for founders and self-employed: Santander (56)
Not measured yet: Connectivity, Digital, Distance to the main airport, Regulatory quality.
The job market is small, and most young people go elsewhere. Santander has some banking, services and tech.
Nothing stands out.
Better in the region for young professionals: Santander (64)
Not measured yet: Commute by public transport, Lifestyle, Median age, Transport.
Altamira, Romanesque churches, summer festivals and a strong food tradition. A quiet culture rather than a big city scene.
Nothing stands out.
Better in the region for culture, food and nightlife: Santander (67)
Not measured yet: Commute by public transport, Lifestyle, Median age, Transport, Walk most.
Quiet, cheap compared with the big cities and close to nature. Santander's airport serves a few routes, and the main hubs are some distance away.
Nothing stands out.
Nothing stands out.
Not measured yet: Climate, Connectivity, Cost of Living, Digital, Distance to the main airport, Fixed broadband penetration, Homes with fibre to the door, Lifestyle, Pleasant days (18–28 °C, dry).
Surf, sailing, hiking, caving and cycling, with the coast and the mountains in one small region. Heavy rain is part of the deal.
Nothing stands out.
Nothing stands out.
Not measured yet: Climate, Days above 35 °C, Environment, Fine-particle pollution (PM2.5), Frost days, Lifestyle, Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), Pleasant days (18–28 °C, dry), Rainy days (≥1 mm), Strong-wind days.
Taxes, residency and the wider economy are set nationally, so they are the same in Cantabria as anywhere in Spain.
Click a column to sort. Columns with too little data are left out.
| Place | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Santander | 64 | €580 | 107 |
| Torrelavega | 59 | €439 | 107 |
Guide written 2026-10-22. Figures are refreshed as new official data is published; the period beside each number says what it covers. “Our read” cards are our inferences from those figures. How we score
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