Spain's biggest cities profiled
You can judge each major city on jobs, cost, housing, language, lifestyle and downsides.
Choosing where to live is one of the biggest decisions in a move to Spain, and most newcomers start with the same five cities: Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Málaga and Seville. This topic gives each one its own profile, so you can judge it on jobs, cost, housing, language, lifestyle and downsides…
Pick the article that fits your situation
Living in Madrid, who it suits and who it does not
Madrid gives you Spain's deepest job market and its best transport links, but you pay for it in rent, summer heat, distance from the sea and a mostly Spanish-speaking daily life. This page helps you decide whether it fits you.
Living in Barcelona, who it suits and who it does not
A realistic look at Barcelona for people considering a move: jobs, rents, the Catalan language, schools and tourism. It shows who the city suits, who will struggle, and what to understand about housing and language before you commit.
Living in Valencia, including the flood-risk question
A realistic look at Valencia for someone deciding whether to move: what daily life costs, how well it suits remote work and families, and how seriously to take the flood risk after the October 2024 storm.
Living in Málaga and the Costa del Sol
Málaga city and the Costa del Sol resort towns are very different places to live. This page compares rents, transport, jobs, foreign communities and seasonality, so you can decide where on this coast suits you before you look at homes.
Living in Seville, Granada, Córdoba or inland Andalusia
Seville, Granada, Córdoba and inland Andalusia cost less than Spain's big hubs and have strong local life. This page helps you weigh that against fierce summer heat, lower pay and little English, before you pick a city.
About this topic
It is for anyone considering, planning or carrying out a move to Spain. Each profile also covers the quick facts and the questions people ask most about that city.
Start with "Living in Madrid, who it suits and who it does not". It sets out how to judge a big Spanish city, and the other profiles are easy to read after it.
Key rules
- Top income tax: The top income tax rate in Madrid is about 45% as of 2025.
- Wealth tax: Madrid applies a 100% bonus on regional wealth tax, so residents pay no regional wealth tax as of 2025.
- Minimum wage: The Spanish minimum wage for 2026 is €1,221 per month in 14 payments, compared with €1,184 in 2025; it is adjusted by government each year.
- Tourist-flat licences: Barcelona's roughly 10,000 tourist-flat licences will end without renewal by 15 November 2028, following the Catalan decree upheld in 2024.
- Regional wealth tax: A 100% bonus means residents pay no regional wealth tax, though you may still have to file.
Spain's biggest cities profiled: questions that cross several articles
Can I live and work in Madrid with only English?
You can cope for the first weeks, and some jobs in tech, startups and international companies are English-only. Most jobs and nearly all paperwork, healthcare and renting still run in Spanish. Read "Living in Madrid, who it suits and who it does not" to judge if it fits you.
Is Madrid or Barcelona cheaper to rent in?
Barcelona is usually a little cheaper. A typical flat averages about €1,100–1,300 a month there, against about €1,400–1,600 in Madrid. Compare both in "Living in Madrid, who it suits and who it does not" and "Living in Barcelona, who it suits and who it does not".
Does moving to Madrid cut my taxes?
Often yes. Madrid has the lowest regional income tax scale in Spain, with a top rate of about 45%. It also applies a 100% bonus on regional wealth tax, so residents pay no regional wealth tax. Read "Living in Madrid, who it suits and who it does not" for the full picture.
What about inheritance and gifts if I live in Madrid?
Close relatives (spouse, children, parents) get a 99% bonus, so little tax is due. Other relatives get no bonus. The details sit in "Living in Madrid, who it suits and who it does not".
Places and figures
The largest cities side by side. Each city page has its own guide, figures and comparisons.
Population, largest cities
| # | Place | Population | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MadridComunidad de Madrid | 3,506,730 | 2025 |
| 2 | BarcelonaCataluña | 1,731,649 | 2025 |
| 3 | ValenciaComunitat Valenciana | 840,792 | 2025 |
| 4 | ZaragozaAragón | 693,091 | 2025 |
| 5 | SevillaAndalucía | 689,423 | 2025 |
| 6 | MálagaAndalucía | 599,063 | 2025 |
| 7 | MurciaRegión de Murcia | 479,405 | 2025 |
| 8 | PalmaIlles Balears | 434,786 | 2025 |
| 9 | Las Palmas de Gran CanariaCanarias | 381,868 | 2025 |
| 10 | AlicanteComunitat Valenciana | 366,221 | 2025 |
Data as of .
Rent for a 70 m² flat, by city
| # | Place | Rent for a 70 m² flat | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | LinaresAndalucía | €292 a month | 2024 |
| 2 | AlcoyComunitat Valenciana | €315 a month | 2024 |
| 3 | EldaComunitat Valenciana | €315 a month | 2024 |
| 4 | FerrolGalicia | €333 a month | 2024 |
| 5 | LorcaRegión de Murcia | €337 a month | 2024 |
| 6 | Vila-realComunitat Valenciana | €341 a month | 2024 |
| 7 | LugoGalicia | €341 a month | 2024 |
| 8 | OrihuelaComunitat Valenciana | €342 a month | 2024 |
| 9 | ZamoraCastilla y León | €344 a month | 2024 |
| 10 | PonferradaCastilla y León | €350 a month | 2024 |
Data as of .
What to read next
More in City and region choice
Choosing and re-choosing where to live
You leave with a repeatable way to go from all of Spain to one place, and a plan if that place turns out wrong.
Choosing the type of place
You know which kind of place suits your household and what daily life is like in each kind in Spain.
Cost of living and housing by region
You can estimate what the same life costs in different places and how hard it is to find a home there.
Also in Move decision and planning
Need certainty before you act?
For important relocation decisions, speak with a qualified human specialist.
Always verify important information with the relevant official authority or a qualified adviser before acting. This website uses large language models together with various public data sources, official government documents and other established sources. Due to the amount of data on this website, some information might be wrong. Information may also be incomplete or outdated.