City · Castilla y León · All places
Palencia stands out for housing, prosperity and safety; it is weaker on connectivity. A typical 70 m² rental costs about €403 a month (2024).
Data as of · the latest figures cover Jun 2026
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What the data says
Palencia stands out for housing, prosperity and safety; it is weaker on connectivity. A typical 70 m² rental costs about €403 a month (2024).
Who it suits, 0 to 100
Practical conclusions we draw from Palencia’s figures. They are inferences, not official statistics: each says what it rests on.
Few residents come from English-speaking or northern European countries, so daily life runs in Spanish. Contracts, the town hall and most doctors work in Spanish.
Frosty nights are common. Many older Spanish flats are poorly insulated: ask about heating and the winter energy bill.
People born abroad are in work less often than people born in Spain across Castilla y León. Remote income or a job offer makes the move far easier.
Almost every home can get gigabit fibre, so working from home is not a gamble on the flat you pick.
Residents are older than in most of Spain: calmer streets, and fewer young people to share a flat or a night out with.
Figures for Palencia itself, not its region. Each shows the period it covers.
Each card uses Palencia data only and compares it with similar cities. Open “Why this score?” to see the measures behind it.
Housing is strong: in the top 10% of Spanish cities above 50,000.
Rent growth a year, over 3 years: 3.43% — better than 94% of Spanish cities above 50,000
Strong: 78 out of 100, where 50 is typical for the comparison group. These are the measures behind it.
| Measure | Value | Compared with peers |
|---|---|---|
| Rent per m²Palencia · 2024 | 5.76 €/m² a month | better than 84% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| Rents, change in a yearPalencia · 2024 | 2.60% | better than 90% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| Buying price per m²Palencia · 2026-Q2 | 1,471 €/m² | better than 89% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| Rent growth a year, over 3 yearsPalencia · 2024 | 3.43% | better than 94% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| House prices, change in a yearPalencia · 2026-Q2 | 19.6% | better than 14% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
Prosperity is above average: better than most Spanish cities above 50,000.
Household income per person: 16,553 € a year per person — better than 71% of Spanish cities above 50,000
Above average: 71 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 personPalencia · 2024 | 16,553 € a year per person | better than 71% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
Safety is above average: in the top quarter of Spanish cities above 50,000.
Recorded crime: 32.5 per 1,000 people — better than 97% of Spanish cities above 50,000
Above average: 71 out of 100, where 50 is typical for the comparison group. These are the measures behind it.
| Measure | Value | Compared with peers |
|---|---|---|
| HomicidesPalencia · 2025 | 1.29 per 100k people | better than 27% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| Recorded crimePalencia · 2024 | 32.5 per 1,000 people | better than 97% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| RobberiesPalencia · 2025 | 31.0 per 100k people | better than 94% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| BurglariesPalencia · 2025 | 96.8 per 100k people | better than 61% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| Sexual offencesPalencia · 2024 | 0.36 per 1,000 people | better than 62% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| TheftsPalencia · 2025 | 808 per 100k people | better than 82% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| Vehicle theftsPalencia · 2025 | 28.4 per 100k people | better than 82% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
Climate is above average: in the top quarter of major European cities.
Nights above 20 °C: 0.70 nights a year — better than 85% of major European cities
Above average: 64 out of 100, where 50 is typical for the comparison group. These are the measures behind it.
| Measure | Value | Compared with peers |
|---|---|---|
| Pleasant days (18–28 °C, dry)Palencia · 2015-01-01..2024-12-31 | 94.1 days a year | better than 70% of major European cities |
| Days above 35 °CPalencia · 2015-01-01..2024-12-31 | 6.50 days a year | better than 32% of major European cities |
| Nights above 20 °CPalencia · 2015-01-01..2024-12-31 | 0.70 nights a year | better than 85% of major European cities |
Digital is above average: better than most Spanish cities above 50,000.
5G coverage: 100.0% — better than 69% of Spanish cities above 50,000
Above average: 63 out of 100, where 50 is typical for the comparison group. These are the measures behind it.
| Measure | Value | Compared with peers |
|---|---|---|
| Homes that can get gigabit internetPalencia · 2025 | 99.0% | better than 66% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| Homes with fibre to the doorPalencia · 2025 | 98.7% | better than 56% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| 5G coveragePalencia · 2025 | 100.0% | better than 69% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
Healthcare is around the middle: around the middle of Spanish cities above 50,000.
Life expectancy: 83.5 years — better than 57% of Spanish cities above 50,000
Average: 57 out of 100, where 50 is typical for the comparison group. These are the measures behind it.
| Measure | Value | Compared with peers |
|---|---|---|
| Life expectancyPalencia · 2023 | 83.5 years | better than 57% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
Transport is around the middle: better than most Spanish cities above 50,000.
Commute by car: 55.8% — better than 70% of Spanish cities above 50,000
Average: 54 out of 100, where 50 is typical for the comparison group. These are the measures behind it.
| Measure | Value | Compared with peers |
|---|---|---|
| Average commute (one way)Palencia · 2021 | 36.9 minutes | better than 67% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| Commute by carPalencia · 2021 | 55.8% | better than 70% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| Commute by public transportPalencia · 2021 | 7.40% | better than 21% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
Jobs is around the middle: around the middle of Spanish cities above 50,000.
Unemployment: 8.60% — better than 73% of Spanish cities above 50,000
Average: 48 out of 100, where 50 is typical for the comparison group. These are the measures behind it.
| Measure | Value | Compared with peers |
|---|---|---|
| UnemploymentPalencia · 2025 | 8.60% | better than 73% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| Unemployment, change in a yearPalencia · 2025 | 0.53 points | better than 9% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
Connectivity is weak: in the bottom 10% of major European cities.
Distance to the main airport: 185 km — worse than 100% of major European cities
Weak: 0 out of 100, where 50 is typical for the comparison group. These are the measures behind it.
| Measure | Value | Compared with peers |
|---|---|---|
| Distance to the main airportPalencia · 2026-10-21 | 185 km | better than 0% of major European cities |
What we cannot score for Palencia yet
Highs around 30° in July, lows around -0° in January. 94 pleasant days a year (dry, 18–28 °C).
| Month | High | Low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 8.4°C | -0.4°C | 45 mm |
| February | 11.0°C | 0.7°C | 36 mm |
| March | 13.6°C | 2.0°C | 45 mm |
| April | 16.9°C | 4.3°C | 57 mm |
| May | 21.1°C | 7.7°C | 37 mm |
| June | 25.8°C | 11.7°C | 47 mm |
| July | 30.2°C | 14.0°C | 17 mm |
| August | 30.1°C | 14.1°C | 14 mm |
| September | 24.5°C | 11.0°C | 35 mm |
| October | 19.8°C | 8.1°C | 62 mm |
| November | 12.9°C | 3.8°C | 58 mm |
| December | 10.0°C | 1.5°C | 44 mm |
Lines start with Spain; switch the others on to compare.
37/100 · below average · 96th of 106 Spanish cities above 50,000
8.6% in 2025
19.6% in Q2 2026
€5.8 per m² a month in 2024
€1,471 per m² in Q2 2026
83.5 years in 2023
Facts about the people who live in Palencia. Shown as context only: none of this changes a score.
Guides for the practical side of moving to Spain: residency, housing, healthcare, tax and schools. Where the rules or prices depend on where you live, the guide says so.
Is Spain right for you, when to go, and how to try it before you commit.
Visas, residence permits, the route that fits you, and keeping your status.
Budgeting the first year, banking, tax residency, income and social security.
Employment, remote work, self-employment, running a business and your rights at work.
Choosing where to live, renting safely, buying, and settling into a home.
Public and private care, health cover, and insurance for your life in Spain.
Family, children, and education
Partners, children, schools, childcare and studying in Spain.
Paperwork, identity numbers, belongings, pets, utilities and the first weeks.
Learning Spanish, understanding local life and building a social circle.
Routines, food, local customs, holidays, transport and getting around.
Scams, disputes, emergencies, your rights and where to get help.
Long-term settlement and leaving
Staying for good, long-term residence and citizenship, retiring, or returning home.
You will know where Spanish rentals are found, what they cost, how to time and run a search, and how to judge a flat before you commit.
You will know whether you need an NIE, which route to take and how to handle its paperwork.
Finding your public healthcare route
You will know which route applies to your situation and what, if anything, you have to do to start it.
Becoming a Spanish tax resident
You will know whether and from when Spain taxes you as a resident, and how to keep the evidence to back your position.
School types and choosing a school
You will know which stage your child is in, what each school type means in Spain, and how to shortlist schools that fit your family's stay and goals.
You will have a step-by-step way to pick a barrio in Spain and the tools to test it before signing.
Fit from the data, 0 to 100, against other Spanish cities. Open a group to see the figures behind it.
Not measured yet: Cost of Living, Households spending >40% of income on housing, Price level vs EU average.
Not measured yet: 15-year-olds' maths (PISA), Average dwelling size, Childcare availability, Education, Environment, Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), Pre-primary participation.
Not measured yet: Cost of Living, Doctors, Environment, Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂).
Nothing stands out.
Not measured yet: Average dwelling size, Education, Environment, Income tax and social security, average earner, Total tax on labour, average earner.
Not measured yet: Cost of Living, Cycle most, Education, Lifestyle, Price level vs EU average, Walk most, Youth unemployment (15–24).
Better nearby for young professionals: Salamanca (62), Burgos (61)
Not measured yet: Jobs in high-tech sectors, Lifestyle, Median gross salary, Youth unemployment (15–24).
Not measured yet: Cost of Living, Fixed broadband penetration, Lifestyle.
Nothing stands out.
Better nearby for founders and self-employed: Burgos (55), Valladolid (55), Salamanca (54)
Not measured yet: Jobs in high-tech sectors, Regulatory quality.
Not measured yet: Environment, Fine-particle pollution (PM2.5), Lifestyle, Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), Strong-wind days.
Better nearby for culture, food and nightlife: Valladolid (60), Burgos (58), Salamanca (56)
Not measured yet: Lifestyle, Walk most.
Taxes, residency and the wider economy are set nationally, so they are the same in Palencia as anywhere in Spain.
Compared with Palencia; each card says where it is better or worse for someone living there.
70 m²: €496 a month
Compare with Palencia70 m²: €447 a month
Compare with Palencia70 m²: €394 a month
Compare with Palencia70 m²: €480 a month
Compare with Palencia70 m²: €350 a month
Compare with Palencia70 m²: €414 a month
Compare with PalenciaFigures 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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