City · Comunitat Valenciana · All places
Sea, sun and a city you can cross by bike, with a river-bed park, a city beach and the home of paella.
Valencia is the third city of Spain and the capital of the Valencian Community. It sits on a flat coastal plain beside the Mediterranean, at the edge of a lagoon and a belt of orchards, and it is easy to walk and cycle. A long beach lies at one end, an old town at the other and a green park in between.
In the last decade it has drawn growing numbers of remote workers, families and students. It offers many of the things Madrid and Barcelona have, such as culture, services and an airport, in a more relaxed setting. Rents have been climbing along with its popularity.
The city has 840,792 residents (2025). Residents born abroad make up 26.5% (2025).
Data as of · the latest figures cover Jun 2026
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What the data says
Valencia stands out for digital, prosperity and transport; it is weaker on housing and safety. A typical 70 m² rental costs about €573 a month (2024).
Who it suits, 0 to 100
Practical conclusions we draw from Valencia’s figures. They are inferences, not official statistics: each says what it rests on.
A large international and graduate population means English is common at work, in cafés and among neighbours. Contracts, the town hall and most doctors work in Spanish or Valencian.
Valencian is an official language alongside Spanish. Expect it on signs, at the town hall and in state schools.
Summer nights stay warm, so sleep depends on a cooled bedroom. Check for air-conditioning before you sign.
Thefts without violence happen 2.4 times as often as in the typical Spanish city. Keep phones and bags close in busy areas and on public transport.
People born abroad are in work less often than people born in Spain across Comunitat Valenciana. 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.
Paella at lunch on a Sunday, horchata and fartons in summer afternoons, and market tapas.
Relaxed and outdoors, with dinner a little earlier than in Madrid and terraces busy until late.
Ruzafa for cafés and bars, El Carmen for the old-town nights, the university district for cañas.
Ruzafa is trendy, Cabanyal is a tiled fishing quarter being renovated, Benimaclet is student and local.
Valencian and Spanish side by side, with Spanish dominant on the street.
Fallas in March, with weeks of fireworks and sculptures burned on the last night.
The riverbed park for cycling and running, the Albufera lagoon and the city beaches.
Valencia is outdoors, informal and friendly. People eat late, but not as late as in Madrid; they walk and cycle along the old riverbed in the morning, play padel and football at the weekend, and sit on terraces in the Ruzafa district until the small hours. Ruzafa is the one many newcomers head for: cafés, vintage shops, bars and restaurants from many countries. El Carmen is the old quarter, with narrow streets, street art and nightlife, and El Cabanyal, near the beach, is a fishermen's quarter with tiled houses that is being renovated.
The city is dotted with markets, including a large covered food market in the centre. Food is a point of pride: paella, made from rice grown in the nearby Albufera wetland and traditionally cooked on a wood fire at lunch, horchata and fartons in the afternoon in summer, and a good tapas culture.
The Fallas festival in March is the biggest event, with weeks of fireworks, noise, huge satirical sculptures and a final night when they are burned. During the rest of the year there is a music, film and sports calendar, with a large student population. The city has an international feel, and Valencian is used alongside Spanish on signs and in public life.
Valencia grew up as a farming and trading city on the river Turia, with a silk exchange that is now a World Heritage site and a medieval irrigation court that still meets on Thursdays at the cathedral door. After a deadly flood in 1957 the river was diverted south of the city, and the old riverbed was turned into a long park, which now runs through the whole city like a green spine. This was a defining decision: it gave the city its space, its cyclists and its joggers.
The port is central to the economy, and logistics, services, tourism, design and a growing technology sector make up the rest, along with a large car plant outside the city. The city comes out below average on jobs. Unemployment is 10.9% (2025), household income per person is €16,944 a year (2024), and adults with a university degree make up 55% (2024).
Housing is where the popularity shows. The city comes out weak on housing. A typical 70 m² flat rents for about €573 a month (2024), and buying costs €2,973 per square metre (Q2 2026). Rents grew by 5.9% in a year (2024).
Tourist flats are part of the local debate about housing. Valencia has capped tourist accommodation neighbourhood by neighbourhood; new tourist places are blocked once a limit is reached.
The city is flat and has many cycle lanes, with a metro and tram network and a large bus system. The average commute is 42 min (2021), and public transport carries 22% of commuters (2021). Recorded crime is 75.3 per 1,000 people (2024), and safety comes out weak against similar places. Thefts without violence stand at 2,811 per 100k people (2025).
In October 2024 floods devastated towns just south and west of Valencia and touched some districts on the southern edge of the city. The event changed local debate about building near ravines and about emergency warnings.
Figures for Valencia itself, not its region. Each shows the period it covers.
Each card uses Valencia data only and compares it with similar cities. Open “Why this score?” to see the measures behind it.
Digital is strong: in the top 10% of Spanish cities above 50,000.
Homes that can get gigabit internet: 99.9% — better than 98% of Spanish cities above 50,000
Strong: 88 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 internetValencia · 2025 | 99.9% | better than 98% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| Homes with fibre to the doorValencia · 2025 | 99.8% | better than 95% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| 5G coverageValencia · 2025 | 100.0% | better than 65% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
Prosperity is above average: in the top quarter of Spanish cities above 50,000.
Household income per person: 16,944 € a year per person — better than 75% of Spanish cities above 50,000
Above average: 75 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 personValencia · 2024 | 16,944 € a year per person | better than 75% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
Transport is above average: in the top quarter of Spanish cities above 50,000.
Commute by car: 48.2% — better than 90% of Spanish cities above 50,000
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Average commute (one way)Valencia · 2021 | 41.8 minutes | better than 27% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| Commute by carValencia · 2021 | 48.2% | better than 90% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| Commute by public transportValencia · 2021 | 21.7% | better than 84% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
Climate is around the middle: better than most major European cities.
Pleasant days (18–28 °C, dry): 119 days a year — better than 91% of major European cities
Average: 51 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)Valencia · 2015-01-01..2024-12-31 | 119 days a year | better than 91% of major European cities |
| Days above 35 °CValencia · 2015-01-01..2024-12-31 | 23.6 days a year | better than 9% of major European cities |
| Nights above 20 °CValencia · 2015-01-01..2024-12-31 | 53.2 nights a year | better than 15% of major European cities |
Connectivity is around the middle: around the middle of major European cities.
Distance to the main airport: 9.20 km — better than 61% of major European cities
Average: 46 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 airportValencia · 2026-10-21 | 9.20 km | better than 61% of major European cities |
| Airport passengersValencia · 2025 | 11.8 million passengers a year | better than 28% of major European cities |
Healthcare is around the middle: around the middle of Spanish cities above 50,000.
Life expectancy: 83.3 years — worse than 54% of Spanish cities above 50,000
Average: 46 out of 100, where 50 is typical for the comparison group. These are the measures behind it.
| Measure | Value | Compared with peers |
|---|---|---|
| Life expectancyValencia · 2023 | 83.3 years | better than 46% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
Jobs is below average: in the bottom quarter of Spanish cities above 50,000.
Unemployment, change in a year: -0.20 points — worse than 77% of Spanish cities above 50,000
Below average: 37 out of 100, where 50 is typical for the comparison group. These are the measures behind it.
| Measure | Value | Compared with peers |
|---|---|---|
| UnemploymentValencia · 2025 | 10.9% | better than 46% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| Unemployment, change in a yearValencia · 2025 | -0.20 points | better than 23% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
Housing is weak: in the bottom 10% of Spanish cities above 50,000.
Rent growth a year, over 3 years: 7.97% — worse than 99% of Spanish cities above 50,000
Weak: 20 out of 100, where 50 is typical for the comparison group. These are the measures behind it.
| Measure | Value | Compared with peers |
|---|---|---|
| Rent per m²Valencia · 2024 | 8.18 €/m² a month | better than 45% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| Rents, change in a yearValencia · 2024 | 5.90% | better than 1% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| Buying price per m²Valencia · 2026-Q2 | 2,973 €/m² | better than 28% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| Rent growth a year, over 3 yearsValencia · 2024 | 7.97% | better than 1% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| House prices, change in a yearValencia · 2026-Q2 | 17.0% | better than 28% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
Safety is weak: in the bottom 10% of Spanish cities above 50,000.
Thefts: 2,811 per 100k people — worse than 94% of Spanish cities above 50,000
Weak: 20 out of 100, where 50 is typical for the comparison group. These are the measures behind it.
| Measure | Value | Compared with peers |
|---|---|---|
| HomicidesValencia · 2025 | 0.71 per 100k people | better than 43% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| Recorded crimeValencia · 2024 | 75.3 per 1,000 people | better than 7% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| RobberiesValencia · 2025 | 248 per 100k people | better than 10% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| BurglariesValencia · 2025 | 188 per 100k people | better than 14% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| Sexual offencesValencia · 2024 | 0.54 per 1,000 people | better than 25% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| TheftsValencia · 2025 | 2,811 per 100k people | better than 6% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| Vehicle theftsValencia · 2025 | 83.3 per 100k people | better than 35% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
What we cannot score for Valencia yet
Highs around 34° in July, lows around 5° in January. 119 pleasant days a year (dry, 18–28 °C). 53 warm nights above 20 °C: check for air-conditioning.
| Month | High | Low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 14.6°C | 4.5°C | 38 mm |
| February | 16.0°C | 5.5°C | 19 mm |
| March | 18.1°C | 7.1°C | 59 mm |
| April | 20.5°C | 9.1°C | 44 mm |
| May | 25.2°C | 13.0°C | 38 mm |
| June | 29.9°C | 17.4°C | 29 mm |
| July | 34.0°C | 20.7°C | 12 mm |
| August | 33.3°C | 21.0°C | 26 mm |
| September | 28.2°C | 17.5°C | 64 mm |
| October | 24.3°C | 13.8°C | 45 mm |
| November | 18.6°C | 8.8°C | 56 mm |
| December | 16.0°C | 6.5°C | 33 mm |
Valencia has a mild Mediterranean climate. Winters are warm and bright, and the city is a place where people sit outside on a January afternoon. Summers are hot and humid, and the sea is warm enough to swim from May to October. Very hot days number 24 a year (2015–2024). Warm nights, the kind that make sleeping hard, number 53 a year (2015–2024).
Rainfall is low overall, 462 mm a year (2015–2024), but comes in short, intense downpours in autumn. Pleasant days, mild and dry, number 119 a year (2015–2024). It is a year-round city, and many people choose it for a warm winter and a long spring.
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44/100 · average · 82nd of 106 Spanish cities above 50,000
10.9% in 2025
17.0% in Q2 2026
€8.2 per m² a month in 2024
€2,973 per m² in Q2 2026
83.3 years in 2023
Facts about the people who live in Valencia. 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.
Cycling, sailing, running along the old riverbed, the Albufera nature park and the hills inland make an active life part of the daily routine.
Not measured yet: Environment, Fine-particle pollution (PM2.5), Lifestyle, Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), Strong-wind days.
Fallas, architecture, markets, music festivals and a strong food culture.
Not measured yet: Lifestyle, Walk most.
Coworking spaces in Ruzafa and the port area, a beach for a break and a ready social circle. Homes that can get gigabit internet stand at 100% (2025), and the airport is 9 km from the city (2026).
Not measured yet: Cost of Living, Fixed broadband penetration, Lifestyle.
A port and logistics base and a start-up community around the Marina.
Nothing stands out.
Not measured yet: Jobs in high-tech sectors, Regulatory quality.
Large universities, a big Erasmus scene and nightlife around Blasco Ibáñez and the university district.
Not measured yet: Cost of Living, Cycle most, Education, Lifestyle, Price level vs EU average, Walk most, Youth unemployment (15–24).
Beach living, restaurants and private clinics, with large flats in the Ensanche and sea villas along the northern coast.
Better nearby for high earners and investors: San Vicente del Raspeig (58), Torrent (57)
Not measured yet: Average dwelling size, Education, Environment, Income tax and social security, average earner, Total tax on labour, average earner.
Young people find work in tech, design, logistics and services, and the social life is easy: terraces, the beach and bike rides. Jobs come out below average against similar Spanish cities.
Not measured yet: Jobs in high-tech sectors, Lifestyle, Median gross salary, Youth unemployment (15–24).
Flat streets, a sea promenade and mild winters suit daily walks, and many foreign residents already live in the city. Hospital beds stand at 5.0 per 1,000 people (2025).
Better nearby for retirees: San Vicente del Raspeig (60), Vila-real (60), Castellón de la Plana (58)
Not measured yet: Cost of Living, Doctors, Environment, Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂).
Parks, beaches and bike lanes make the city easy for children to get around. In Valencia's schools families choose a base language, Valencian or Spanish, and both languages are used for teaching.
Nothing stands out.
Better nearby for families with children: Alcoy (57), Castellón de la Plana (56), Elda (54)
Not measured yet: 15-year-olds' maths (PISA), Average dwelling size, Childcare availability, Education, Environment, Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), Pre-primary participation.
Neighbourhoods further from the centre, such as Benimaclet and Patraix, are where many people on a smaller budget look. Housing comes out weak against similar Spanish cities.
Nothing stands out.
Better nearby for budget-conscious movers: Vila-real (62), Alcoy (61), Castellón de la Plana (60)
Not measured yet: Cost of Living, Households spending >40% of income on housing, Price level vs EU average.
Taxes, residency and the wider economy are set nationally, so they are the same in Valencia as anywhere in Spain.
Compared with Valencia; each card says where it is better or worse for someone living there.
70 m²: €380 a month
Compare with Valencia70 m²: €315 a month
Compare with Valencia70 m²: €381 a month
Compare with Valencia70 m²: €591 a month
Compare with Valencia70 m²: €497 a month
Compare with Valencia70 m²: €315 a month
Compare with ValenciaGuide 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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