Cost of living in Bilbao — is your salary enough?
Bilbao rents average €900/month; the Basque Country's strong industrial base supports above-average Spanish incomes. Bilbao earners benefit from Spain's highest regional wages alongside moderate costs — a good environment for hitting savings benchmarks.
Rent in Bilbao
Other monthly costs
How different incomes stack up
At typical Bilbao costs (€900 rent)
See your personal verdict for Bilbao
Cost figures are estimates based on reported median rents and typical spending patterns. Savings benchmarks from INE Encuesta de Presupuestos Familiares 2022. Figures in EUR.
Frequently asked questions — Living in Bilbao
How much does it cost to live in Bilbao?+
Core monthly costs in Bilbao run about €1,850 — roughly €900 for rent and €950 for other living expenses (food, transport, utilities, basics). Bilbao rents average €900/month; the Basque Country's strong industrial base supports above-average Spanish incomes.
What is the median rent in Bilbao?+
The median rent in Bilbao is around €900 per month. Bilbao is classified as a moderate cost cost-of-living city in Spain.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Bilbao?+
Using the 70%-rule (core costs ≤ 70% of gross), you need roughly €31,714 per year before tax to live comfortably in Bilbao. That leaves room to hit the 10% savings benchmark for Spain.
Is Bilbao expensive compared to the rest of Spain?+
Bilbao sits in the moderate cost tier within Spain. Bilbao earners benefit from Spain's highest regional wages alongside moderate costs — a good environment for hitting savings benchmarks.
How much of your income should rent take in Bilbao?+
The standard rule is no more than 30% of gross income on rent. At €900/month in Bilbao, that means a gross income of at least €36,000 per year to stay under the 30% threshold.
Can you still save money living in Bilbao?+
Yes — the Spain benchmark for mid-income earners is 10% of gross income. In a moderate cost city like Bilbao, hitting that rate is comfortably achievable for most mid-income households.
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