4 Gorgeous Destinations In Spain Where You Can Live On Under $3,000 A Month

Spain was recently ranked the second most sought-after destination for Americans planning to relocate abroad, and we can’t say we’re surprised: between the sunny weather and the fascinating culture, there’s plenty about the Iberian country that would get you inspired to pack your bags and move.

Something most travel publications fail to mention, however, is the rising cost of living across Europe—and as affordable as Spain may still be, it’s not safe from the fluctuating prices.

Cities like Barcelona and Madrid now have some of the highest rental prices on the continent, and if you’re based in Spain during summer, don’t be surprised when you check your aircon bill and it’s in the hundreds of euros.

Yep, life on this side of the pond could really burn a hole in your pocket.

Be that as it may, there are still a handful of Spanish cities where prices are cheaper, as ranked by Nomad List. To be more precise, you can live quite comfortably in 4 of them on under $3,000-a-month:

Mahon, Menorca

Monthly cost: $2,986

Quality of life score: Good

Safety: Great

Fun: Great

The capital of Menorca, Mallorca’s smaller, more offbeat sister, Mahon is a laid-back coastal town best known for its natural harbor, one of the largest in the world, eclectic architecture, with both Spanish and British-colonial buildings, and historic sites.

Most of these are centered in the postcard-worthy Historic Center, including the Church of Santa Maria, the Fortaleza de la Mola, an impressive military fort, and the centuries-old Mahon Market, where you can get anything from fresh seafood to local mayonnaise.

By the way, rumor has it that mayonnaise was originally created here.

On top of that, there is a plethora of nomad-friendly spots around town, like Café Baixamar, right by the harbor, offering waterfront views and farm-to-table dishes, and Isla House, a coworking center in the heart of town, equipped with meeting rooms, high-speed Wi-Fi, and an open-air terrace.

Cordoba

Monthly cost: $1,500

Quality of life score: Good

Safety: Great

Fun: Okay

One of the cultural hotspots of Andalusia, Spain’s warmest region, Cordoba has a rich cultural tapestry, having passed from Roman hands to the Visigoths, to the Moors (Arab conquerors from North Africa), and finally the Spanish Empire.

The most significant contributions were left by its Moorish rulers, from the medina-style Old Town, with whitewashed houses and maze-like winding pathways, to the impressive Great Mosque.

Now a cathedral, it still retains much of its original Islamic traits, especially the landmark Hypostyle Hall, supported by hundreds of columns made of jasper, onyx, marble, and granite, the Mihrab, a prayer corner indicating the direction of Mecca, and the orange tree-dotted Patio de los Naranjos.

Other than the fascinating history and architectural wealth, Cordoba has plenty to offer nomads: it’s peppered with laptop-friendly eateries well-suited for nomads—check out the all-day brunch spot Brunchería—and it’s one of Spain’s most affordable cities to live in.

Granada

Monthly cost: $3,000

Quality of life score: Good

Safety: Good

Fun: Okay

Tucked away in the central hills of Andalusia, Granada is yet another historic gem that’s certain to appeal to the culture buffs—and let’s face it, if you’re dreaming of a life in Europe, chances are you’re fantasizing about fairytale castles and cobblestone streets frozen in time.

Say no more: Granada ticks all those boxes, and then some.

It’s in fact home to one of the most monumental fortresses in Spain, the Alhambra, built by the Moors, and a collection of luxurious palaces and courtyards surrounded by imposing walls. At its foot, the Albaicín is an Arab-era quarter with a perfectly preserved 15th-century townscape.

It’s also packed with medieval treasures: old bridges, Arab baths, leafy plazas, you name it; and if you happen to be looking for a cozy café with town views, try Teteria Marrakech, a Moroccan-inspired teahouse near the Mirador de San Nicolás viewpoint.

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

Monthly cost: $2,097

Quality of life score: Good

Safety: Great

Fun: Good

This next one’s for the beach lovers who dream of an anywhere office with coastal views, preferably, a dreamland where it’s forever spring, and it’s always sangria o’clock, and that much-needed ocean dip after you sign off for the day is only a few steps away from the AirBnB:

Welcome to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, the lively capital of Spain’s paradisaical island of Gran Canaria: lying off the coast of West Africa, it boasts over 300 days of sunshine per year, unusually mild winters, and several long miles of pristine golden-sand beaches hugged by azure seas.

Additionally, Las Palmas is incredibly well-equipped with coworking spaces, with 18 such properties listed on Coworker, and its growing expat community, and the widespread use of English makes assimilating and networking a lot easier.

Speaking of coworking, you can’t miss out on Sky Coworking in downtown Las Palmas: not only does it have a rooftop, the space itself is airy and modern, and the communityis surprisingly welcoming.