Ranking of Spanish cities 2026: the best cities to live in

Which Spanish city should you choose for your move? The usual answer is a list of impressions: “Valencia is cosy, Madrid is businesslike, Málaga is sunny.” We decided to do the maths. This ranking is based not on feelings but on four measurable indicators from official sources: housing affordability, income, the size of the Russian-speaking community and the number of digital nomad residence permits already issued. The ranking answers the question “where is it better value?”. The question “where should I live at all” — the north, the coast or inland — is answered by the second part of our analysis: where to live in Spain.

The result was unexpected. The best-value city in Spain in terms of rent versus income is Pamplona: renting a home there takes 24.0% of a family’s annual income. In Valencia and Alicante, the cities recommended most often, it is 37.6% and 38.7%. And Málaga, which everyone recommends to nomads as an affordable alternative to Barcelona, ranks 12th of 12 on this measure: 53.0%.

Methodology: what we measured and how

We deliberately dropped subjective criteria such as “quality of healthcare” or “friendliness of locals” — they cannot be measured, and therefore cannot be verified. Instead we took four indicators, each with an official source:

Criterion	How it was calculated	Source
Housing affordability	What share of annual family income goes on renting an 80 m² flat	idealista + INE
Income level	Average net household income per year	INE, Atlas de Renta
Nomad environment	Number of valid digital nomad residence permits in the province	OPI-MISSM
Russian-speaking community	Concentration of citizens of 8 post-Soviet countries per 1,000 residents	INE, Censo Anual

Each indicator is converted to a scale of 1 to 10, with a maximum of 40 points. Data are given by province: this is the level at which official statistics on income and residence permits are kept.

An important caveat: the ranking measures what can be counted. Climate, the beauty of the city, the quality of schools and personal impressions are not included — and that is fine, because their weight differs for each person.

Ranking of Spanish cities: summary table

Below are the best cities to live in Spain on four measurable indicators: twenty large cities popular with people relocating. First place does not mean “the best city for everyone” — look at the columns that matter to you.

#	City	Housing	Income	Nomads	Community	Total
1	Barcelona	4	8	10	5	27
2	Madrid	3	10	8	3	24
3	Valencia	5	4	6	7	22
4	San Sebastián	7	9	2	3	21
4	Alicante	5	1	5	10	21
4	Pamplona	10	7	1	3	21
7	Vitoria-Gasteiz	9	7	1	3	20
8	Murcia	9	3	3	4	19
9	Bilbao	7	8	2	1	18
10	Zaragoza	8	5	2	2	17
10	Palma de Mallorca	3	8	3	3	17
10	Santander	7	4	2	4	17
10	Logroño	9	3	1	4	17
14	Málaga	1	2	6	7	16
14	Oviedo / Gijón	8	3	2	3	16
14	Valladolid	10	4	1	1	16
17	Seville	7	3	2	1	13
17	Granada	7	1	3	2	13
19	Córdoba	9	1	1	1	12
20	Las Palmas	4	4	2	1	11

Note that the spread of total scores is small, and this is no accident. Each city has its own profile — strong in one area and weak in another. So look not at the overall position but at the two or three columns that matter to you.

Figures without scores: what it looks like in euros

Scores are handy for comparison, but decisions are made in money. How these cities compare with the country as a whole is covered in the overview of the standard of living in Spain. Here are the source data for the key cities:

Rent: idealista asking rents by province, August 2026. Household income: INE, Atlas de Renta, 2023. Share: our calculation, price × 80 m² × 12 ÷ income.

The gap between the top and the bottom of the table is 2.2-fold: in Pamplona rent takes 24.0% of family income, in Malaga 53.0%.

Barcelona — first place, but not for everyone

Barcelona tops the ranking with 27 points thanks to one outstanding indicator: it has 12,417 valid digital nomad residence permits — 38% of all those issued in Spain. No other city comes even close. Add high incomes (€44,243 per household) and the largest Russian-speaking community in absolute numbers — 65,000 people.

The weak spot is housing. Rent of €17.1/m² across the province (idealista, August 2026) on an income of 44 thousand means an 80 m² flat eats up 37.1% of the family budget. What this balance means in everyday life — districts, transport, prices — we covered in our guide to Barcelona, and the procedure for moving to the city is in a separate guide on how to move to Barcelona. For a single remote worker with foreign income this is bearable; for a family on a local salary it is hard.

Who it suits: remote professionals with income from foreign clients, startup founders, and those who value an international environment and professional networks.

Madrid — the highest incomes

The capital is the only city to score ten for income: €48,806 per household per year — higher than anywhere else in Spain. It also ranks second for the number of digital nomads (6,393) and has the country’s largest job market.

But rent is also among the highest in the country: €21.5/m² across the province. A detailed portrait of the city — districts, work, prices — is in our article on Madrid. The rent-to-income ratio is 42.3%; in Barcelona it is 37.1%. And the Russian-speaking community in the everyday sense is minimal here: 5.6 people per thousand residents versus 30.7 in Alicante. Madrid is about career, not community.

Who it suits: those looking for employment in corporations, finance or law; people with high professional ambitions.

Valencia — the best balance

Valencia is in third place, and its strength lies precisely in having no weak spots: decent housing affordability (37.6% of income on rent), third place for the number of nomads (3,677), and a large Russian-speaking community — 44,000 people, 16 per thousand residents.

Rent of €14.3/m² is 16% cheaper than in the province of Barcelona, with comparable urban infrastructure and the sea within the city limits. The city itself — districts, transport, atmosphere — is described in our overview of Valencia, and the practical side with documents and house-hunting in our guide on moving to Valencia. This explains why Valencia’s Russian-speaking community has more than tripled in four years — the fastest growth among Spain’s large provinces.

Who it suits: families with children, remote professionals on an average income, and those who want a big city without capital-city prices.

Alicante — the undisputed leader for community

Alicante is the only city to score ten for its Russian-speaking community: 62,375 people, 30.7 per thousand residents — twice as high as its nearest rival. One in thirty residents of the province comes from a post-Soviet country.

The flip side is the lowest incomes in the ranking (€31,507). The province’s economy relies on tourism and services, and there is little well-paid employment. On the other hand, rent of €12.7/m² is among the most affordable on the coast, and the province has 2,174 DNV holders, fifth in the country.

Within the province there are towns with an even higher concentration: in Torrevieja Russian speakers make up 13.5% of the population. More on the geography of the diaspora is in the article “Russians in Spain”.

Who it suits: remote workers, families who value a native-language environment, and people living on passive income or a pension.

Pamplona and Vitoria-Gasteiz — the underrated leaders

This is the ranking’s biggest surprise. Pamplona scored the maximum 10 points for housing affordability: rent of €10.7/m² with household income of €42,714 means 24.0% of income on housing. Among the cities for which we calculated this share, first place goes to Pamplona, followed by Valladolid (25.6%), Logrono (26.2%).

These cities hardly ever appear in Russian-language round-ups, because they have no sea, no large diaspora and no startup scene. What they do have is high salaries, excellent public services and something the coast lacks: the possibility of living on a local salary, not just on foreign income.

Who it suits: professionals with a Spanish contract, families with children, and those planning to integrate rather than live in an expat bubble.

Málaga — an overrated destination

Málaga is often recommended as an affordable alternative to Barcelona. The data say the opposite: for housing affordability it ranks 12th of 12. Rent of €18.7/m² on an income of €33,868 means 53.0% of the family budget goes on rent.

The reason is the gap: the arrival of tech companies (“Málaga Tech”, offices of international corporations) has driven up housing prices, while average incomes in the province have stayed Andalusian. For a remote worker with a foreign salary this is not a problem — they pay local prices on a foreign income. For those counting on working in the local market, the trap is obvious.

That said, the city’s strengths are real: 3,089 DNV holders (fourth place), 31,800 Russian speakers, and the best climate in mainland Spain.

Who it suits: remote professionals with a high foreign income. Who it doesn’t suit: those planning to live on a Spanish salary.

The most popular cities in Spain

Popularity can be measured in different ways. By population, the largest cities in Spain are Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, Zaragoza and Málaga. For people relocating, the list is different: the most valid digital nomad residence permits are in Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia, Málaga and Alicante, and the most Russian-speaking residents are in Barcelona, Alicante, Valencia, Madrid and Málaga.

Popular does not mean good value. Málaga appears on all these lists, but by the share of income spent on rent it ranks 12th of the 12 cities for which we calculated it.

Spanish cities on the coast and inland

• On the coast: Barcelona, Valencia, Alicante, Málaga, San Sebastián, Santander, Gijón, Palma de Mallorca, Las Palmas and Bilbao — the last lies on a river estuary right by the coast.
• Inland: Madrid, Zaragoza, Pamplona, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Valladolid, Logroño, Murcia, Seville, Granada, Córdoba and Oviedo.

Among the cities in the table above, coastal ones are on average more expensive: rent there takes a larger share of family income, while the three most affordable cities right now are Pamplona, Valladolid and Logrono. Madrid, a city in the very centre of Spain, breaks the “cheaper inland” pattern: rent there is €21.5/m², but incomes are the highest too.

Where each nationality actually goes

The ranking above measures what a city offers. Where people actually go is a different question, and the answer splits by passport. In 2024 the British, the Americans and the Canadians chose three different maps of Spain.

The British go to the coast: Alicante and Málaga take 38% of their whole flow, and Madrid comes only fourth. The Americans go to the big cities: Madrid and Barcelona take 45% of theirs. The Canadians follow the American map but put Barcelona first, ahead of Madrid.

The direction of travel matters as much as the totals. Between 2021 and 2024 the British flow halved — Alicante down 50%, Málaga down 55%, Tenerife down 70% — while the American flow grew 40% and the Canadian 39%. The fastest American growth is in exactly the places the British are leaving: Alicante +83% and Valencia +79%. On present trends the American flow into Spain will pass the British one within a couple of years.

To compare the provinces themselves rather than the flows — rent, household income, taxes and the size of each community — use our province map of Spain, with regional taxes and rent per square metre on separate layers. How the move is planned from each country is covered in the guides to moving from the UK, the United States and Canada.

Where it is best for Russians to live in Spain

If a Russian-speaking environment matters — schools, doctors, services in your native language — the province of Alicante leads: 30.7 Russian speakers per thousand residents, twice as many as anywhere else, and in Torrevieja they make up 13.5% of the population. Next come Málaga (17.7 per thousand) and Valencia (16.0). Barcelona and Madrid have many Russian speakers in absolute numbers, but in a big city they are dispersed.

The best city for Russians to live in depends on the source of income. With a foreign salary, Alicante, Valencia and Málaga are a good fit; for working in the Spanish market — Valencia, where the Russian-speaking community is growing fastest, or northern cities with affordable housing. Where and how the diaspora lives is covered in the article Russians in Spain.

Leaders by individual criteria

💶 Affordable housing (share of income on rent): Pamplona (24.0%), Valladolid (25.6%), Logrono (26.2%), Murcia (26.4%)

📈 High incomes: Madrid (€48,806), San Sebastián (€46,514), Bilbao (€44,425), Palma (€44,812)

💻 Digital nomads: Barcelona (12,417 permits), Madrid (6,393), Valencia (3,677), Málaga (3,089), Alicante (2,174)

🗣 Russian-speaking community: Alicante (30.7‰), Málaga (17.7‰), Valencia (16.0‰), Barcelona (10.9‰)

Which city to choose: a practical cheat sheet

Your situation	Cities	Why
I work remotely for a foreign company	Valencia, Alicante, Málaga	Foreign income at local prices; an established nomad community
I am launching a startup	Barcelona, Valencia	Ecosystem, investors, half of the country’s startup visas
I am looking for employment	Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao	The largest job markets and the highest incomes
I want to live on a Spanish salary	Pamplona, Vitoria, Valladolid, Zaragoza	The best ratio of rent to income
A Russian-speaking environment matters to me	Alicante (Torrevieja), Valencia, Málaga	Schools, doctors, services in your native language
I am retiring	Alicante, Murcia, Granada	Warm climate, affordable housing, community
I plan to integrate into Spanish society	Pamplona, Vitoria, Santander, Oviedo	Few expats, strong public services

Spain’s climate zones and city rankings for winter, summer, sunshine and rain are in our article on the climate of Spain by region and city.

Frequently asked questions

Which Spanish city is the cheapest to live in?

In terms of rent versus income — Pamplona (24.0%), Valladolid (25.6%). By rent among the ranking cities — Cordoba (€9.0/m²), Murcia (9.6), Logrono (9.7) (idealista, August 2026). Rent is only part of the total: the full monthly budget including utilities, groceries and transport is broken down in the article how much money you need to live in Spain.

Where in Spain are there the most Russian speakers?

In the province of Alicante — 62,375 citizens of eight post-Soviet countries, or 30.7 per thousand residents. In absolute numbers there are slightly more in Barcelona (65,000), but there they are dispersed among a population of six million.

Which city is best for a digital nomad?

By the number of residence permits already issued — Barcelona, by a wide margin. By the balance of price and infrastructure — Valencia. For climate and foreign income — Málaga and Alicante.

Where is it better value to live: Valencia or Málaga?

On the figures Valencia wins: rent of 14.3 versus €18.7/m² (idealista, August 2026), higher household income (36.5 versus 33.9 thousand euros), and a share of income on rent of 37.6% versus 53.0%. Málaga wins on climate and the growth rate of its tech sector.

Does the choice of city affect getting a residence permit?

No. The requirements for the digital nomad residence permit and the startup visa are the same throughout Spain. The city affects your tax burden (IRPF rates are set by the autonomous communities) and your living costs.

Which Spanish cities are the most popular for relocation?

Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia, Málaga and Alicante: they have the most valid digital nomad residence permits and Russian-speaking residents. By population, the country’s largest cities are Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, Zaragoza and Málaga.

Where in Spain is it best for Russians to live?

If a Russian-speaking environment matters — in the province of Alicante, which has 30.7 Russian speakers per thousand residents, and in Torrevieja they make up 13.5% of the population. For working in the Spanish market, Valencia and northern cities with affordable housing are a better fit.

Which Spanish city is best for living by the sea?

On the balance of rent, income and environment — Valencia: €14.3/m² and 37.6% of family income on rent, with the sea within the city limits. Alicante is cheaper for rent, San Sebastián has higher incomes.

Which Spanish cities do the British, Americans and Canadians choose?

Different ones. In 2024 the British went to the coast: Alicante took 3,907 arrivals and Málaga 3,076, together 38% of their flow. Americans went to the cities: Madrid 4,030 and Barcelona 3,036, together 45%. Canadians followed the American map but put Barcelona first, with 491 arrivals against 371 for Madrid.

Key points on the 2026 city ranking

The figures reveal three consistent patterns.

Big cities offer opportunities but take a lot for housing. Barcelona and Madrid lead on income and professional environment, but rent takes 37.1% and 42.3% of the family budget there.

The coast lives on foreign money. Alicante, Málaga and, to some extent, Valencia combine low local incomes with a high concentration of remote workers. This model works very well with a foreign source of income and badly with a local one. Within the coast itself the spread is huge: Torrevieja and Calpe live on tourism and the diaspora, Castellón and Elche are ordinary working towns with noticeably lower rents, while Mallorca and the Canary Islands add an island premium to prices.

The north is underrated. Pamplona, Vitoria, Valladolid and Zaragoza offer the best value for money in the country but hardly ever make it into Russian-language round-ups — because they have no sea and no diaspora. Among northern cities we have covered San Sebastián and Logroño — both precisely about living on a local salary rather than foreign income.

There is no universally best city. There is the best city for a specific situation — and now you have the figures to work it out. If you have already settled on a region rather than a ranking, we have separate articles on Seville, Granada and Toledo, and among smaller places — Adamuz in the province of Córdoba and Montanejos, with its thermal springs near Valencia.

Let us look at your move

Choosing a city is only the first decision. Next come the type of residence permit, the tax regime, documents, apostilles and filing. At Relotus we work from Spain together with a licensed gestor (tax and admin agent): we assess your situation, choose the right route and handle your case through to a decision. The review is free and carries no obligation.

Data sources: INE — Censo Anual de Población (01.01.2025) and Atlas de Distribución de Renta de los Hogares (2023); idealista — informe de precios de alquiler, rents by province for August 2026, updated monthly; OPI-MISSM — stock of permits under Ley 14/2013 (31.03.2026). Figures are given by province. The data are current at the time of publication and are updated periodically.