😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,913 in Valencia versus $1,484 in El Ejido.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,720 in Valencia versus $2,203 in El Ejido.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,527 in Valencia versus $2,921 in El Ejido.
🌍Living in Valencia is roughly 29% more expensive than in El Ejido, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Valencia43% above, El Ejido11% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Valencia
El Ejido
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$14.92€13.11
$17.34€15.24
-13.96%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$58.8€51.7
$57.6€50.6
2.03%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$12.70€11.16
$10.51€9.24
20.84%
Cappuccino
$2.62€2.30
$2.09€1.83
25.36%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.52€2.21
$1.14€1.00
121.05%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.95€1.71
$1.47€1.30
32.65%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.50€3.07
$2.81€2.47
24.56%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.50€3.07
$3.55€3.12
-1.41%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Valencia
El Ejido
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.18€1.04
$1.33€1.17
-11.28%
White Bread(500g)
$1.36€1.19
$1.75€1.54
-22.29%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.70€1.49
$1.55€1.37
9.68%
Eggs
$2.80€2.46
$2.86€2.52
-2.10%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$11.55€10.15
$11.69€10.27
-1.20%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.28€7.28
$9.32€8.19
-11.16%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$14.17€12.45
$14.33€12.60
-1.12%
Apples(1kg)
$2.59€2.28
$2.46€2.17
5.28%
Banana(1kg)
$1.83€1.61
$1.66€1.46
10.24%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.99€1.75
$1.42€1.25
40.14%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.46€2.16
$2.27€2.00
8.37%
Potato(1kg)
$1.89€1.66
$1.66€1.46
13.86%
Onion(1kg)
$1.91€1.68
$1.63€1.43
17.18%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.62€1.43
$1.09€0.96
48.62%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.76€0.67
$0.65€0.57
16.92%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.77€5.95
$6.06€5.33
11.72%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.57€4.89
$4.65€4.09
19.78%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.48€1.30
$1.15€1.01
28.70%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.07€1.82
$1.89€1.66
9.52%
🚌 Getting Around
Valencia
El Ejido
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.69€1.49
$1.67€1.46
1.20%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$32.92€28.93
$33.98€29.86
-3.12%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.50€3.07
$1.66€1.46
110.84%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.26€1.11
$1.26€1.11
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$25.18€22.12
$17.38€15.27
44.88%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.77€1.55
$1.75€1.54
1.14%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.1K€30.0K
$38.3K€33.6K
-10.86%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.8K€28.8K
$30.4K€26.7K
7.79%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Valencia
El Ejido
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$142€125
$79.6€70.0
78.05%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.33€11.71
$20.54€18.05
-35.10%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$30.75€27.02
$32.10€28.21
-4.21%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Valencia
El Ejido
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$42.40€37.26
$48.56€42.67
-12.69%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$12.65€11.11
$14.97€13.16
-15.50%
Cinema Ticket
$10.06€8.84
$9.74€8.56
3.29%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Valencia
El Ejido
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$609€535
$726€638
-16.12%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$12.1K€10.6K
$10.5K€9,250
14.72%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Valencia
El Ejido
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$102€89.6
$22.76€20.00
348.15%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$37.07€32.57
$30.73€27.00
20.63%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$97.9€86.0
$28.84€25.34
239.53%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$129€113
$40.23€35.35
220.26%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Valencia
El Ejido
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,224€1,075
$868€763
41.00%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$943€828
$681€598
38.51%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,935€1,700
$1,302€1,144
48.65%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,374€1,207
$986€866
39.39%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$5,593€4,915
$3,481€3,058
60.69%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$3,328€2,924
$1,978€1,738
68.22%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Valencia
El Ejido
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,939€1,704
$1,485€1,305
30.59%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.44
3.58
-3.91%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Valencia: July 21, 2026
Last update for El Ejido: July 20, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,224 in Valencia and $868 in El Ejido. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Valencia pays 31% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $59.0 in Valencia vs $58.0 in El Ejido for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $254 vs $252 per month, with El Ejido cheaper across the board.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Valencia vs El Ejido: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is El Ejido cheaper than Valencia?
El Ejido is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Clothing & Footwear, Getting Around. The 29% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Valencia or El Ejido?
Average pay runs 31% higher in Valencia, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
What is the rent difference between Valencia and El Ejido?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,224 in Valencia versus $868 in El Ejido. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Is eating out cheaper in Valencia or in El Ejido?
Dining out is cheaper in El Ejido – a meal for two runs $58.0 versus $59.0 in Valencia. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
What are total monthly expenses in Valencia and in El Ejido?
All in, you'll spend $1,913 per month in Valencia versus $1,484 in El Ejido – a 29% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Valencia or in El Ejido?
At $1,484 in El Ejido versus $1,913 in Valencia, a $1,500 budget is realistic in El Ejido but tight or insufficient in Valencia. The gap between the two cities makes El Ejido the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Valencia or El Ejido more family-friendly?
For families, El Ejido is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Valencia, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Valencia or El Ejido?
Safety-wise, Valencia and El Ejido are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find El Ejido gentler on the wallet – expenses run 29% less than in Valencia. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.