City · Galicia · All places
Galicia's biggest city: a working port and car-making town on a spectacular bay, with oysters, hills and rain.
Vigo is the largest city in Galicia, a working port on the south side of a deep estuary (ría) on the Atlantic, close to the Portuguese border. Steep streets climb from the harbour to green hills, and a chain of islands, the Cíes, shelters the bay from the open ocean.
It is a practical, energetic, blue-collar city, not a beautiful one, but it has a strong character: fishing, shipbuilding, cars and a large port still define it. Residents like it for the sea, the food, the mild climate and the people. Visitors tend to pass through on their way to the beaches and the Cíes Islands.
The city has 294,489 residents (2025). Residents born abroad make up 15.0% (2025).
Data as of · the latest figures cover Jun 2026
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What the data says
Vigo stands out for climate, safety and prosperity; it is weaker on connectivity. A typical 70 m² rental costs about €533 a month (2024).
Who it suits, 0 to 100
Practical conclusions we draw from Vigo’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 or Galician.
Galician is an official language alongside Spanish. Expect it on signs, at the town hall and in state schools.
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.
Oysters from the Berbés, octopus, scallops, spider crab, empanada and Albariño wine.
Brisk, loud and cheerful, with long lunches and an unfussy weekend.
Old-town bars around the Casco Vello and the Rúa Príncipe, football nights on Balaídos days.
Casco Vello is the old quarter, Areal and Príncipe the commercial centre, Samil the beach district.
Galician and Spanish side by side, with Spanish dominant on the street.
Christmas lights from late November, the Reconquista festival in March, and the summer beach season.
The ría, urban beaches, Monte Castro, the Cíes Islands by boat, and surf up the coast.
Vigo is loud, cheerful and food-obsessed. The Rúa das Ostras, in the old fishing quarter of O Berbés, has women selling oysters on the street, which are eaten fresh with a squeeze of lemon and a glass of white wine. The market of A Pedra and the bars of the old town serve seafood of a quality that surprises visitors: scallops, octopus, spider crab and razor clams.
The city is also a place of sport and the outdoors. Samil beach is a long urban beach; the Cíes Islands, a national park reachable by boat, have some of the finest white-sand beaches in Spain; and Mount Castro offers views over the whole bay. Football, with Celta de Vigo, brings the city together.
At Christmas, Vigo is famous for an elaborate lighting display that draws large crowds. People are open, humorous and informal, with a distinct local accent and a mix of Galician and Spanish. They dress for rain, take long lunches and take the weekend seriously.
Vigo grew in the nineteenth century as a fishing and canning port and as an emigration port for Galicians leaving for the Americas. Shipyards and canning factories made it rich in the twentieth century, and in the 1950s a large car plant arrived, which now employs thousands in the area and in its supplier network. The port is one of the main fishing harbours in Europe.
The economy is industrial and logistical, with a growing services sector, and the city comes out average on jobs. Unemployment is 10.9% (2025), and adults with a university degree make up 50% (2024). The city has a real job market for Galicia, though salaries are modest.
Housing is moderate, because the city has spread along the hills of the ría and has older stock. A typical 70 m² flat rents for about €533 a month (2024), and buying costs €2,346 per square metre (Q2 2026). The city is hilly, and most people drive: the average commute is 39 min (2021).
Vigo is also a safe city. A working-port population that knows its neighbours and few tourists in the streets mean low street crime. Recorded crime is 41.3 per 1,000 people (2024), and the city comes out above average on safety.
Figures for Vigo itself, not its region. Each shows the period it covers.
Each card uses Vigo data only and compares it with similar cities. Open “Why this score?” to see the measures behind it.
Climate is strong: in the top 10% of major European cities.
Pleasant days (18–28 °C, dry): 120 days a year — better than 92% of major European cities
Strong: 79 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)Vigo · 2015-01-01..2024-12-31 | 120 days a year | better than 92% of major European cities |
| Days above 35 °CVigo · 2015-01-01..2024-12-31 | 0.90 days a year | better than 58% of major European cities |
| Nights above 20 °CVigo · 2015-01-01..2024-12-31 | 1.40 nights a year | better than 76% of major European cities |
Safety is above average: better than most Spanish cities above 50,000.
Robberies: 50.3 per 100k people — better than 82% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| HomicidesVigo · 2025 | 0.34 per 100k people | better than 55% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| Recorded crimeVigo · 2024 | 41.3 per 1,000 people | better than 76% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| RobberiesVigo · 2025 | 50.3 per 100k people | better than 82% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| BurglariesVigo · 2025 | 76.1 per 100k people | better than 80% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| Sexual offencesVigo · 2024 | 0.51 per 1,000 people | better than 33% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| TheftsVigo · 2025 | 974 per 100k people | better than 64% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| Vehicle theftsVigo · 2025 | 45.2 per 100k people | better than 61% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
Prosperity is above average: better than most Spanish cities above 50,000.
Household income per person: 16,256 € a year per person — better than 63% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Household income per personVigo · 2024 | 16,256 € a year per person | better than 63% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
Housing is around the middle: better than most Spanish cities above 50,000.
House prices, change in a year: 12.2% — better than 72% of Spanish cities above 50,000
Average: 60 out of 100, where 50 is typical for the comparison group. These are the measures behind it.
| Measure | Value | Compared with peers |
|---|---|---|
| Rent per m²Vigo · 2024 | 7.61 €/m² a month | better than 50% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| Rents, change in a yearVigo · 2024 | 3.00% | better than 71% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| Buying price per m²Vigo · 2026-Q2 | 2,346 €/m² | better than 47% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| Rent growth a year, over 3 yearsVigo · 2024 | 4.38% | better than 62% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| House prices, change in a yearVigo · 2026-Q2 | 12.2% | better than 72% 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 56% of Spanish cities above 50,000
Average: 56 out of 100, where 50 is typical for the comparison group. These are the measures behind it.
| Measure | Value | Compared with peers |
|---|---|---|
| Life expectancyVigo · 2023 | 83.5 years | better than 56% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
Jobs is around the middle: around the middle of Spanish cities above 50,000.
Unemployment, change in a year: -1.30 points — better than 60% of Spanish cities above 50,000
Average: 52 out of 100, where 50 is typical for the comparison group. These are the measures behind it.
| Measure | Value | Compared with peers |
|---|---|---|
| UnemploymentVigo · 2025 | 10.9% | better than 46% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| Unemployment, change in a yearVigo · 2025 | -1.30 points | better than 60% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
Digital is around the middle: around the middle of Spanish cities above 50,000.
Homes that can get gigabit internet: 98.2% — worse than 53% of Spanish cities above 50,000
Average: 49 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 internetVigo · 2025 | 98.2% | better than 47% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| Homes with fibre to the doorVigo · 2025 | 98.2% | better than 43% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| 5G coverageVigo · 2025 | 100.0% | better than 58% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
Transport is around the middle: around the middle of Spanish cities above 50,000.
Average commute (one way): 38.9 minutes — worse than 54% of Spanish cities above 50,000
Average: 47 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)Vigo · 2021 | 38.9 minutes | better than 46% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| Commute by carVigo · 2021 | 62.0% | better than 42% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| Commute by public transportVigo · 2021 | 13.3% | better than 54% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
Connectivity is weak: in the bottom 10% of major European cities.
Distance to the main airport: 77.1 km — worse than 100% of major European cities
Weak: 1 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 airportVigo · 2026-10-21 | 77.1 km | better than 0% of major European cities |
| Airport passengersVigo · 2025 | 1.11 million passengers a year | better than 3% of major European cities |
What we cannot score for Vigo yet
Highs around 27° in August, lows around 7° in January. 120 pleasant days a year (dry, 18–28 °C).
| Month | High | Low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 12.8°C | 6.5°C | 157 mm |
| February | 13.8°C | 7.0°C | 124 mm |
| March | 15.0°C | 7.6°C | 132 mm |
| April | 17.4°C | 9.3°C | 114 mm |
| May | 20.2°C | 11.4°C | 80 mm |
| June | 22.6°C | 13.6°C | 55 mm |
| July | 26.5°C | 15.5°C | 15 mm |
| August | 26.8°C | 15.7°C | 27 mm |
| September | 24.4°C | 14.5°C | 66 mm |
| October | 20.8°C | 13.0°C | 168 mm |
| November | 16.1°C | 9.9°C | 166 mm |
| December | 14.0°C | 8.3°C | 186 mm |
Vigo has a mild Atlantic climate. Summers are warm and pleasant, with cool evenings; winters are mild but very wet, with grey days and wind. Rainfall is 1,288 mm a year (2015–2024), and rain days run at 137 a year (2015–2024).
Very hot days number 1 a year (2015–2024). Frost days are 0 a year (2015–2024). Pleasant days, mild and dry, number 120 a year (2015–2024). It is a summer city: May to September is the season for the beaches and the islands, while winters are for people who accept rain.
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63/100 · above average · 42nd of 106 Spanish cities above 50,000
10.9% in 2025
12.2% in Q2 2026
€7.6 per m² a month in 2024
€2,346 per m² in Q2 2026
83.5 years in 2023
Facts about the people who live in Vigo. Shown as context only: none of this changes a score.
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Fit from the data, 0 to 100, against other Spanish cities. Open a group to see the figures behind it.
Low costs, safe, with large hospitals and excellent food. The wet winters and steep streets can be hard.
Not measured yet: Cost of Living, Doctors, Environment, Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂).
Safe, with beaches, parks, good schools and a regional job market. A comfortable place to raise children.
Not measured yet: 15-year-olds' maths (PISA), Average dwelling size, Childcare availability, Education, Environment, Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), Pre-primary participation.
Beaches, islands, sailing, hiking and surf are all within a short trip. Rain is the price.
Not measured yet: Environment, Fine-particle pollution (PM2.5), Lifestyle, Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), Strong-wind days.
Seafood, Christmas lights, festivals and football. The cultural calendar is more popular than elite.
Nothing stands out.
Not measured yet: Lifestyle, Walk most.
Good seafood, sailing and coastal homes at modest prices. Little luxury infrastructure.
Not measured yet: Average dwelling size, Education, Environment, Income tax and social security, average earner, Total tax on labour, average earner.
The University of Vigo is large, and student life is lively and cheap.
Nothing stands out.
Not measured yet: Cost of Living, Cycle most, Education, Lifestyle, Price level vs EU average, Walk most, Youth unemployment (15–24).
Cheaper than most big coastal cities, with a real job market. Salaries are lower than in Madrid.
Nothing stands out.
Better nearby for budget-conscious movers: Lugo (82), Ourense (81), Ferrol (68)
Not measured yet: Cost of Living, Households spending >40% of income on housing, Price level vs EU average.
Jobs in industry, logistics and services at modest pay, and a good local social life.
Nothing stands out.
Better nearby for young professionals: A Coruña (66), Lugo (62), Ourense (62)
Not measured yet: Jobs in high-tech sectors, Lifestyle, Median gross salary, Youth unemployment (15–24).
Good fibre, low rents and an airport with limited flights. Porto is close, and the Atlantic coast is a draw.
Not measured yet: Cost of Living, Fixed broadband penetration, Lifestyle.
A strong industrial base, a large port and regional support, with a small local market.
Nothing stands out.
Better nearby for founders and self-employed: Santiago de Compostela (62), A Coruña (59)
Not measured yet: Jobs in high-tech sectors, Regulatory quality.
Taxes, residency and the wider economy are set nationally, so they are the same in Vigo as anywhere in Spain.
Compared with Vigo; each card says where it is better or worse for someone living there.
70 m²: €497 a month
Compare with Vigo70 m²: €505 a month
Compare with Vigo70 m²: €341 a month
Compare with Vigo70 m²: €355 a month
Compare with Vigo70 m²: €443 a month
Compare with Vigo70 m²: €333 a month
Compare with VigoGuide 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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