We have found that there is a huge gap in cost of living. You can live cheaply in a small property, with one fireplace, no AC, buy at the markets, eat out at the very many restaurants that do Menu del Dias for E9 - E12. But if you want full central heating (which we need, it does get cold, we had heavy snow last year!) A/C, eat and drink at the better restaurants and bars, prices go up to fairly typical northern European levels. Eg like UK. Electricity costs are horrendous here, and gas and water are pricey too.Â
How much does it cost to rent an apartment or a house in Spain? Our 4 bed (170sqm) house with pool is E1500 inc pool maintenance and gardening. There is no heating in the kitchen, hall and only small fans in the bathroom and shower room. We couldn't find anything cheaper, even smaller without a pool, that didn't have loads of signs of damp and mould.
How much do you pay for basic food items such as rice, bread, and pasta? Not sure but wine is dirt cheap! The really basic stuff is cheaper than expensive bottled water. We drink neither of the latter.
What is your monthly budget for groceries? Not sure but I think a trolley including wine is around E300 a week, so about E1500 pcm
How much does it cost to see a doctor/dentist/physician/specialist in Spain?  I have had private appointments for E40 with a GP and E60 with a dermatologist.  A minor procedure to remove a cyst on my back was over E300.
How much do you pay for health insurance per month? We are on the Autonomo and pay around E400 a month for two of us.
How much does it cost to fill up your car’s fuel tank? For a Ford Fiesta around E40, petrol.
How much do you pay for electricity/gas/water etc., per month? In winter our electricity last month was E300, it will be about the same in summer with the AC. A small tank of gas for hot water and cooking costs E17. So about E15 a month. I cant remember how much water is.
How much do you pay for your internet and phone subscription? In our last house internet and 2 phones cost us E76 pcm.
How much do you pay for an espresso coffee? About E1.50 for a cortado.
How much do you pay for a cinema ticket? E9
Clothes and shoes here are reasonably priced, but other things that are imported are pricey, so that sort of thing balances out.Â
Basically we are finding that overall, to maintain the standard of living we want (middle class, southern England level) it costs about the same but with more sunshine and cheap wine!