When a mid-size Spanish city beats the big ones

Key rules

• Cost: Rents in these cities are generally lower than in Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville and Málaga.
• Jobs: English-only jobs are scarce, so plan on Spanish or remote work.
• Services: These cities have full hospitals, universities and good transport links.

The short answer

A mid-size regional capital can give you lower rents and full services. The price is fewer English-language jobs and less English spoken day to day. If you work remotely or speak decent Spanish, these cities are worth a serious look.

Why consider them

Compared with Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville and Málaga, these cities usually offer:

• Lower rents.
• Full hospitals and universities.
• Good rail or airport links.

Five cities to start with

• Zaragoza: large and flat, with fast train links and low rents.
• Valladolid: calm and central, with good services and a university.
• Salamanca: historic, small and walkable, with a university.
• Vigo: an Atlantic port with a mild climate, beaches and a large population.
• Murcia: sunny and cheap, with a university, near the Mediterranean.

Other cities worth a look include Alicante, A Coruña, Bilbao, Granada, Córdoba, Pamplona, Santander and Oviedo/Gijón. San Sebastián is lovely but expensive.

What a 2-bed flat costs

These are rough asking rents for 2024-2025. City-centre and new-build flats cost more, and rents keep rising.

Jobs: the real trade-off

English-only jobs are scarce outside Madrid and Barcelona. Most local jobs need good Spanish. International roles cluster in tech, shared-service centres, tourism, English teaching and some university or industry posts.

Zaragoza, Valencia, Málaga and Seville have the most of these. Valladolid and Murcia offer few.

The usual route for English speakers is remote work for a foreign employer, or the Spanish digital nomad visa. Check current listings for your city and sector before you commit.

Getting to Madrid

Rough high-speed train times to Madrid: Zaragoza 1h20-1h30, Valladolid about 1h, Murcia about 3h. Not every city has daily direct trains, and times vary by operator and train type. Check the timetable for your route.

How to choose

• Want a milder, coastal life? Look at Vigo or Murcia.
• Want quick trains to Madrid? Look at Valladolid or Zaragoza.
• Want a small, walkable university town? Look at Salamanca.

The questions below cover jobs, rents, train times and coastal options.

Frequently asked questions

Can I find an English-speaking job in a mid-size city?

Rarely. Most local jobs need good Spanish. Zaragoza has the most international roles of the mid-size cities, while Valladolid and Murcia offer few. Many English speakers work remotely for a foreign employer or use the Spanish digital nomad visa.

How much is a 2-bed flat in Zaragoza, Valladolid, Salamanca, Vigo or Murcia?

Typical asking rents for a 2-bed flat are €750-950 a month in Zaragoza, €650-850 in Vigo, €600-800 in Valladolid and Salamanca, and €550-750 in Murcia.

Which mid-size city suits me if I want a milder, coastal life?

Vigo has an Atlantic climate and beaches, while Murcia is sunny and near the Mediterranean. Salamanca and Valladolid are inland, calmer and built around their universities.