Cost of Living of 5 Southern European Countries Compared | Spain, France, Italy, Greece, & Cyprus

Cost of Living of 5 Southern European Countries Compared | Spain, France, Italy, Greece, & Cyprus

Choosing the wrong country in southern Europe could cost you 70% more for the exact same lifestyle. That’s not an exaggeration. That’s the real difference between the winner and the loser on this list. Spain versus France versus Italy versus Greece versus Cyprus. After helping hundreds of expats through the European relocations, I kept hearing the same question. Which Mediterranean country offers the best value? So here I just compared the real cost of living in all five countries using data that actually matters to experts. The result will shock you. One country offers €57 monthly rent and 33 doctor visits. Another has €963 rent and 66 medical appointments. One country dominated with consistently low costs, while another demands double, but offers something incredible no other country can match. And the final rankings prove that popular assumptions about European living costs are dead wrong. The five midsized cities that will change our mind about southern Europe. To say that France is more expensive than Spain actually means nothing because prices vary significantly depending on city size and location within each country. For example, Narbon in France, a town with 51,000 residents, cost much less than major cities like Paris or Merced. The same pattern repeats across every country. Small towns tend to remain affordable. Large cities are often more expensive. Midsized cities hit a balance between lower prices and good amenities. That’s why I selected five midsized cities, each with population between 100,000 and 300,000 residents, one from each country on the list. These five cities share many similarities. They are all located near coastlines, attract experts looking for a high quality of life at a low cost, and offer a representative picture of the best value each country has to offer. We’ll be comparing them head-to-head using real data. So, what are those five cities? Spain is represented by Kadis, a city in Andalucia with 114,000 people almost entirely surrounded by water. This Andalucian coastal city delivers an authentic Spanish lifestyle without the tourist overload found in Barcelona or Madrid, making it one of the best cities for expats who want local charm without the crowds. France is represented by Mont Pelleier. Home to 300,000 residents, the city blends historic charm and modern energy thanks to a large student population and one of the world’s oldest madcoy schools, ranking among France’s top tire cities for quality of life. Montilier has a strong infrastructure and is widely considered one of the five best place in France for expatriatories. As I detailed in a previous video, Salerno represents Italy with 128,000 residents and a key role as a gateway to the Amalfi coast. The city has maintained its Italian character while recently upgrading its airport, transforming it into a major transportation hub for suffer Italy. From Salerno, you have easy access to the Amalfi Coast, Pompei, and Naples, all while enjoying life in a proper Italian city. Salerno ranks among the most affordable and appealing cities to retire in Europe. Greece is represented by Ha which has 111,000 residents and sits on the northwest coast of Cree known for its Venetian harbor and charming oldtown architecture. Ha combines the energy of a lively town with the intimacy of a close-knit community. It also provides access to some of Greece’s most stunning beaches just minutes away and maintains a strong infrastructure for a city of its size. In addition, Greece offers some of the most attractive tax incentives in Europe for expats, but that I cover in another video. Lastly, Cyprus is represented by Laka with 144,000 residents in its district. As a former British colony, Cyprus offers one of the lowest language barriers in the Mediterranean, making it a popular choice for British retirees. Lnaka centers around its finate and lies conveniently close to Lnaka International Airport. The scoring runs from 0 to 10 where higher scores means lower costs. From healthcare to housing, we’ll compare each of these cities in each factor to form our final score. We start with health care costs that could make or break your budget. The cost of a basic doctor visit across the cities range from €30 to€66. So, the most expensive option cost more than twice as much as the cheapest one for the exact same service. Montier leads with the lowest price offering private doctor visits for just 30 euros. This affordability is thanks to France health care system which limit how much even private doctors can charge and these rules benefit both locals and expats. As a result, Mont Pelle combines excellent care with low prices. With prices is slightly higher, Karis and Lika have private doctor visits with an average cost of €33. His pay allows doctors more freedom to set their own fees, but competition helps keeps price affordable. Lak also ensures easy access to healthcare and many doctors there speak English due to Cypress British legacy. Ha comes next. We visit priced at €44. At the most expensive and least affordable place is Salerno where a private consultation costs in average €66. One of the explanations for such higher prices in Salerno is that it’s close to a tourist heavy area, the Amalfi Coast. If you visit a private doctor twice per month, the annual differences become significant. You would spend €73 per year in Mont Pelier versus €2,444 in Salerno. That uh €1,727 difference could easily cover other living costs or even fund an entire vacation. Public healthcare access adds another layer to this comparison. In Mont Pelad, the low cost of private care is just one advantage. Once you gain residency, you can also use France public health care system. In Cyprus, meanwhile, the Yes system, a hybrid of public and private services, ensure consistent quality, as one expat in Cypress shared, open quote. I’ve used Cypress public health system, yes, for the past two years and found it effective and reliable. I never needed private insurance as ESC provides efficient professional care including two MRIs, two X-rays, full blood tests and multiple specialist consultations matching the quality I would expect from private providers. End quote. Has salo present a different picture. Public healthcare in Greece faces more challenges prompting many experts to rely on private services. In Italy, the quality of public care varies by region. And in the south, where Saler is located, it’s often slower and less dependable, making private care a necessity for faster treatment. Language also influences healthcare accessibility. In Latin, doctors frequently speak English, so communication is not a problem. Montelier also has a fair number of English speaking doctors. In contrast, in Kadis, Ha, and Salerno, you might need to know more of the local language for everyday care. Although major medical issues are still handled effectively, taking both costs and accessibility into account, Mont Pelier scores a perfect 10 for healthcare. Kadis and Larda each receive a strong nine. Ha with its higher price point gets a six. Salerno scores zero due to its high fees and language barriers. Healthcare only accounts for 15% of the total score, but gives us a revealing glimpse into how sharply costs can vary. And the next category shows even more dramatic differences with costs that vary by over 1,300% between those midsized cities. By the way, if you would prefer a video comparing large southern European cities instead of midsized ones, let me know in the comments. A showdown between Sevil, Teslonic, Niss, Palmo, and others could be really interesting. The underestimated cost that you should not ignore. Imagine spending extra €72 every time you need to visit your embassy to renew your visa or handle some paperwork. That’s not just inconvenient, it’s a major recurring cost that can quietly chip away at your budget. Since embassies are located in the capital of each country. For many experts, easy access to the capital is more important than people think. In some cities, this journey to the capital is simple and cheap, while others turn it into an expensive and time-consuming burden. In the five cities and countries we are analyzing today, the variation in prices is striking. Travel costs range from just €6 in Laka to a staggering €72 in Mont Pelleier, a 1,300% difference. In Mont Pelle, a ticket on the TGV train to Paris will cost you around €72 if you buy at least a few days in advance. In the last minute, it can be above €130. While the TGV train is fast and comfortable, that convenience comes at a steep price. Some people say that flying inside France is much cheaper than using the TGV. But always remember the hidden cost when flying €10 to get to the airport, 30 to 40 per luggage item, and so on. Now, the other four countries in our ranking are very different from France. Traveling from Salad to Rome cost only 17 thanks to Italy’s efficient high-speed trains. With that, you can cover the distance in just 1 hour and 36 minutes, making even day trips to the capital entirely realistic. The cheaper is lower trains are still fast and take just 3 hours. From Ha, which is in the island of Crit, reaching Athens costs around €39. Again, booking with considerable anticipation, but the journey requires a flight. There are also fairies from Crit to Athens, but the trip by ferry takes more than 7 hours. If you have a lot of luggage, it might be a good idea. Kadis located in southwestern Spain has an average travel cost of 44 euros to reach Madrid by train. Spain’s rail system connected two cities well and this price presents a solid value for a 650 km trip. Cyprus however turns the whole equation upside down for the good. Residents of Lnaka can reach the capital Nikosia for less than €6 by bus. Since the entire country is only 240 kilometers wide from east to west, distances remain short and transportation costs low. Cyprus’s small size means short travel distance and minimal expenses. While France’s vast territory, creates the opposite situation. Cyprus with the simplest transport system ends up on top with 10 points in the cost to reach the capital factor. France, despite having some of Europe’s best trains, ends up at the bottom. Italy gets an eight, Greece a six, and Spain a five. With healthcare and travel now covered, the next two categories shift our focus to the everyday expenses you will encounter week after week, and they might surprise you even more. And if you enjoy our databased research-driven videos that we put a lot of work to do, I would be glad if you could click on the like and subscribe button. It will be such a great help for us. dining out and other similar costs. You might expect Italy to win the dining affordability battle, but the numbers tell a different story, one that reshapes expectations about everyday living costs. Kadis stands out as the most affordable option for dining out with dinner for two costing in average just 35. If you ever find yourself in Kadis, a local gave us a fantastic tip. OP quote for cheap, authentic and fantastic local food in Kadis. Start at the Fredas for Pescita Frito like the one by the market. Then wander around and find your own adventure. The Kascantigo is full of little bars with great fresh seafood and tapas. End quote. In Salerno, the same type of dinner for two rises to 50. That amount gets you genuine Italian dishes serving local tratoras and pizzeras. Mont Pelleier and Ha fall into a very similar range, each averaging €56 for dinner for two. Both Mont Pelleier in in France and Hane in Greece offer consistent quality and diverse dining options. Laga comes in the highest place at €61 for a meal out for two. Cyprus is quite popular among tourists, expats and retaries, particularly from the UK. So demand has pushed prices higher. Based on these prices, we score the cities as follows. Karis earns a perfect 10. Salerno follows with eight points. Mod Pil Ha each get a seven. Laka has the most expensive score six. But food is not the only recurring cost that can add up. Fuel prices can quietly impact your monthly budget in unexpected ways. Lana Canal is the cheapest, offering fuel at just €1.36 per liter. Cyprus maintains some of the lowest fuel taxes in Europe, making it one of the most affordable places to drive. Whether you are commuting daily or planning weekend trips to beaches like Ayanappa and Proaras, low fuel costs help make it all feasible without stressing your budget. Kadis follows closely with fuel price at €155 per liter. Spain’s moderate fuel tax policy helps keep driving affordable, especially for those exploring the Costa de la. While the difference compared to Cyprus may seem small, frequent drivers will definitely notice the long-term savings. Saleno comes in next at 1.72 per liter. Italy’s fuel taxes are among the highest in Europe. In fact, if not for the taxes, Italy would have fuel prices lower than Spain. Mont Pelenha tie for the highest gas prices at around 1.75 per liter. France and Greece both impose relatively high taxes of fuel which affects personal and commercial transportation alike. In Mont Pelier, this is slightly offset by excellent public transport which may reduce the need for a car. Fuel price impact more than just your own driving habits. Higher gas prices also raise costs for deliveries, groceries, online shopping, and even domestic travel. The difference of 39 cents between Lana and Ha means an additional €20 every time you refuel your car. For gas prices, Latin scores 10, Kadis gets eight, Salerno receives six, Monta each gets zero due to their higher fuel costs. Now we enter the final and most important factor of all, housing costs. But before we view it, I have some really good news. My expat wealth and lifestyle compass value at $134 is yours free for a limited time. Receive our 74page analysis of affordable cities in Spain, Italy, and France. Our guide for zero income tax countries that can save you up to $19,000 for 122 and the checklist that prevents costly mistakes. Don’t let your chances go away. Scan this QR code now and join us for free. The rent. Since rent makes up the largest monthly expense for most expats, we assign it the 40% weight in our final rankings. This one factor can have an outsized effect on your budget, even if other categories seem affordable. And the differences are huge. The rental range stretches from just €557 per month in HA to €963 in Salerno, a 73% gap between cities that offer comparable coastal lifestyles. In Hana, for an average price of €557, you can rent a one or twobedroom home in a good location. For that price, you can even get a place with a view to the cretan sea. Because the tourist flowing is highly concentrated during summer, yearround rents are low and long-term stays affordable. Salerno, on the other hand, asks an average of €963 for similar civios. Located near the Amalfi Coast, Salo commands premium prices simply because so many people want to be there. Property owners capitalize on that demand, driving rents up regardless of season. The middle tire cities also reflect clear patterns. Laka costs €716 per month on average, higher than Greece, but still reasonable thanks to its growing popularity with expats. Its convenient location, English friendly environment, and proximity to the airport all contribute to rising housing costs. Kadis comes in at €771 per month, though finding consistent long-term rentals can be a challenge. Many landlords prefer shorter contracts that align with academic and tourist seasons make it harder for experts seeking stable year-round housing. The seasonal leing model can complicate your plans, especially if you are trying to avoid moving twice a year. Mont Pier is the most expensive after Salerno with rent averaging €936. The city’s growth, tech appeal, and large student population have created a strong demand for housing. And differently from HA, Mont Pilia does not have a low season for prices. Young professionals and students compete for the same housing year round. While Mont Pelia offers the most developed infrastructure in this ranking, you pay more for the higher development. In the housing cost factor, Honey scores a perfect 10. Laka follows with a six. Kadis earns a five. The two averaging above €900 get the lowest scores by far. Mont Pile gets just one and Salo gets a zero. Greece wins this category outright. Hane offers the most realistic long-term affordability, delivering a low rental burden without sacrificing lifestyle, scenery, or access to major amenities. Now, it’s time to pull everything together and review the final weighted scores that determine which of these five countries represented by these cities offers the best overall value, the final ranking. After running the weighted calculations across all five categories, healthcare, travel, dining, gas, and rent, one name clearly stood out above the rest. France with Mont Pelleier fishing in last place with a final score of 2.2 out of 10. Despite earning a perfect 10 for its outstanding healthcare system, the city’s high rent of €936 and a steep €72 travel cost to Paris dragged down its overall score. Even top tire medical infrastructure could not compensate for the heavy financial burden in other categories. Salo comes in fourth with a score of 3.7. It suffers from the highest rent at €963 and the most expensive doctor visits at €66. While dining in Salerno is affordable and its train connection to Rome is great, those advantages are not enough to offset its costly housing. Kadis secures third place with a score of six. Dining out and full prices are cheap in Kadis giving the Spanish representant a solid edge in daily affordability. However, the 44 travel cost to Madrid and the city seasonal rental limitations keep it from breaking into the top two. And now we reach the top contenders. Lnaka takes second place with a score of 6.7. Cyprus delivers consistency across all categories. Rent is not that expensive, but Cyprus really shines at other factors. Travel to the capital cost only €6, an unbeatable value that earns a perfect score. Gas prices at 1.36 per liter are the lowest among all cities. And healthcare, yes, is affordable. Ha claims the top spot with a final score of seven. Its standout advantage is rent. At just €557 per month, it’s the most affordable average housing price on the list. That low rent carries significant weight in the final ranking. It’s 40% contribution to the total score. Although Han doesn’t lead in any other category, it performs well enough across the board to secure the win. Gas cost €1.75 per liter. Travel to Athens is €39. Healthcare is 44 all on average and dining is 56. These are all mid-range values, but combined with its low housing costs, they push HA to the top. In the end, Greece offers the most budget friendly Mediterranean lifestyle, and Hana proves that smart choices can reduce your living costs while still delivering beaches, sunshine, and decent infrastructure. Lana earns second place for its well balanced costs across all categories. Cyprus offers great value overall in a certain way. All these five cities are actually quite good. No surprise some of them like HA are among the 15 best for expatriaries in Europe. Want to discover the others? So check this video here at your left and discover the best cities in Europe for expat retirees and join my Patreon for all the sources, charts and maps from our videos plus a chat so I can answer your questions. Tire 2 includes my top three ebooks on living and retiring abroad.

Discover the truth about the cost of living in Southern Europe as we compare five Mediterranean countries head-to-head!

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We dive deep into real data from Spain (Cádiz), France (Montpellier), Italy (Salerno), Greece (Chania), and Cyprus (Larnaca) – comparing healthcare costs, travel expenses, dining prices, fuel costs, and rental markets.

The results will surprise you: one city offers €557 monthly rent while another demands €963 for the same lifestyle!

Find out why Greece’s Chania ranks as the cheapest place to live in the Mediterranean, offering incredible value with low living expenses in Greece.

Discover how Cyprus provides the lowest cost of living in the Mediterranean for fuel and capital city access, while France delivers unbeatable healthcare despite higher overall costs.

If you are considering retirement in Europe or searching for the best places to live in the region, this data-driven comparison reveals the true cost of living Mediterranean lifestyle.

Learn which southern European destinations offer lowest cost of living, and why popular assumptions are wrong.

Perfect for expats, retirees, and digital nomads seeking affordable Mediterranean living without sacrificing quality of life.

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💡 TOPICS IN THIS VIDEO 💡
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🔎 EXCERPT 🔎
Choosing the wrong country in Southern Europe could cost you 70% more for the exact same lifestyle.
That’s not an exaggeration.
That’s the real difference between the winner and the loser on this list: Spain versus France versus Italy versus Greece versus Cyprus.
After helping hundreds of expats through their European relocations, I kept hearing the same question: which Mediterranean country offers the best value?
So here, I just compared the real costs of living in all five countries using data that actually matters to expats.
Plus the prices that I saw there with my own eyes – except for France, I travel to these countries multiple times per year.
The results will shock you.
One country offers €557 monthly rent and €33 doctor visits. Another has €963 rent and €66 medical appointments.
One country dominated with consistently low costs, while another demands double but offers something incredible no other country can match.
And the final rankings prove that popular assumptions about European living costs are dead wrong.
The Five Cities That Will Change Your Mind About Europe
To say that France is more expensive than Spain actually means nothing, because prices vary significantly depending on city size and location within each country. For example, Narbonne in France, a town with 51,000 residents, costs much less than major cities like Paris or Marseille.