12 stunning Spanish villages where Brits can live for less than £500 a
Travel experts have highlighted a dozen stunning Spanish villages, surrounded by vineyards, beaches and more, where Brits can live for less than £500 a month.
As rental prices across the UK surge to record highs, the option to live abroad has become increasingly appealing to Brits, and not just because of the sunshine.
Excluding pricey London, the average rent across Britain has reached an eye-watering £1,365 per month, according to second quarter figures released by Rightmove.
Spain has always been a firm favourite amongst ex-pats, with the country boasting one of the largest British populations outside of the UK, with some estimates stating anywhere between 300,000 and a million Brits may reside in the country.
Rent prices are a fraction of what many pay in the UK, while many living expenses are considerably cheaper too, with pints commonly a little more than a pound or two in bars.
Using the online cost-of-living database Numbeo, a dozen Spanish spots are habitable for potentially less than £500 per month, per person.
These totals account for one person, travelling via public transport and also making somewhat regular visits to inexpensive restaurants, cafes, as well as a standard grocery shop, including items such as bread, milk, butter, chicken and more. Utilities, a mobile phone contract, Wifi and a monthly cinema visit have also been included.
So, without further ado, here are just some of the Spanish locations where you can live for £500 a month or less.
Villanueva de los Infantes, Ciudad Real, Castile-La Mancha – £342 a month
Villanueva de los Infantes has around 5,700 residents and boasts stunning 16th and 17th-century architecture as well as a thriving culinary scene with vineyards and olive groves surrounding the location.
Granada Airport is 184km away, and the monthly cost of living is likely to set you back €175 (£151) a month. The bright two-bedroom flat listed below is available for €275 (£237).
https://www.idealista.com/en/inmueble/102411249/foto/15/
Ourense, Galicia – £400 a month
Found on the banks of the river Miño, Ourense is famed for its hot springs and historic old town. This city has a bustling population of 107,000 who frequent the many restaurants and bars, while nearby medieval villages make for great day trips. Vigo Airport is located 90km away.
Standard living expenses are around €196 (£170) a month, and the centrally located attic studio flat listed below is available for €230 (£200).
https://www.idealista.com/en/inmueble/105776290/
Herrera del Duque, Badajoz, Extremadura – £421 a month
Located in the province of Badajoz, this town has a small population of around 3,600, yet it still offers both lively nightlife and beautiful countryside for hiking.
Its medieval architecture plays host to numerous festivals throughout the year, and Seville Airport is found 170km away.
You’ll likely be spending around €214 (£186) a month on living costs in Herrera del Duque, and the furnished one-bedroom apartment listed below is available for €270 (£235).
https://www.idealista.com/en/inmueble/104449040/
Guijo de Coria, Cáceres, Extremadura – £435 a month
This tiny village has seen a population drop from 263 in 2011 to just 189 in 2024, which has resulted in rental prices remaining extremely low.
Guijo de Coria is surrounded by natural beauty, with the Serra de Malcata Reserve and the historic village of Monsanto close by. Badajoz Airport is 75km away.
Living expenses are around €302 (£262) each month, and the unfurnished three-bedroom country house below is available for €200 (£173).
Ciudad Real, Castile-La Mancha – £437 a month
With a population of roughly 75,000, this historic city is south of Madrid, 180km from Madrid Airport, and not a usual tourist hotspot. It offers an impressive selection of shops, restaurants and bars and operates as the perfect base to explore Castile-La Mancha and its national parks such as Tablas de Daimiel and Cabañeros.
Standard living expenses add up to around €175 (£151) a month, while the studio flat listed below is available to rent for €360 (£311).
https://www.idealista.com/en/inmueble/96267248/
Almodóvar del Campo, Ciudad Real, Castile-La Mancha – £448 a month
Built on the slope of an extinct volcano, Almodóvar del Campo, population 6,000, is home to plenty of Arabic-influenced architecture and a scenic lagoon.
A highly-rated selection of restaurants and bars, as well as elegant public spaces, fill the area, which is 172km away from Granada Airport.
The aforementioned living costs are understood to be roughly €170 (£148) a month, and the air-conditioned one-bedroom flat listed below is available for €300 (£260).
https://www.idealista.com/en/inmueble/29345267/
Arroyo del Ojanco, Jaén, Andalusia – £465 a month
The peaceful village of Arroyo del Ojanco has just 2,200 residents, nestled near the Sierra de Segura mountains, making it a haven for hikers and nature lovers.
The nearby Guadalmena Reservoir offers water sports, while local restaurants serve up traditional Andalusian cuisine. Festivals and historical sites such as the Castle of Sierra de la Segura are nearby, with Albacete Airport 146km away.
Standard living expenses add up to around €286 (£248) a month, while the second-floor apartment listed below is available to rent for €250 (£217).
https://www.idealista.com/en/inmueble/37575584/
Huesa, Jaén, Andalucia – £465 a month
Overlooking the Sierra de Quesada Mountains, Huesa, population 2,600, is encircled by olive groves and open spaces such as the beautiful Las Villas National Park.
A handful of restaurants, bars and essential amenities offer all you need, while Granada Airport is 89km away.
Standard living expenses are approximately €286 (£248) a month, and the centrally located one-bedroom flat listed below is available for €250 (£217).
https://www.idealista.com/en/inmueble/108876876/
Ituero de Azaba, Salamanca, Castile-León – £479 a month
This serene village of 235 residents features cobblestoned streets, traditional architecture and a rich cultural calendar. Ituero de Azaba’s surrounding countryside is perfect for those who love hiking and cycling, while Salamanca Airport is 70km away.
Standard living expenses add up to €302 (£262) a month, and the furnished one-bedroom ground-floor apartment listed below is available for €250 (£217).
https://www.idealista.com/en/inmueble/108674300/
Tortosa, Catalonia – £491 a month
The large town of Tortosa is home to 35,000 residents,
all of whom enjoy a beautifully preserved historic centre with medieval, Renaissance and modernist architecture.
Tortosa offers an array of shops, restaurants and bars, and sits near the River Ebro with Reus Airport 64km away.
The cost of living numbers add up to roughly €218 (£188) each month, and the newly renovated one-bedroom apartment listed below is available for €302 (£256).
https://www.idealista.com/en/inmueble/106938651/
Zarza de Granadilla, Cáceres, Extremadura – £492 a month
With a population of less than 2,000 people, this historic farming village holds 16th and 18th-century landmarks to marvel over.
Located near the Gabriel y Galán reservoir, Zarza de Granadilla is ideal for fishing, water sports and beach days. Salamanca Airport is 90km away.
Living costs are about €272 (£236) per month, and the furnished one-bedroom apartment with garden listed below is available for €295 (£256).
https://www.idealista.com/en/inmueble/108489765/foto/1/
Castralvo, Teruel, Molinos, Aragon – £500 a month
Another tiny population, this time of approximately 350 residents,
Castralvo is a charming village just south of Teruel, known for its Mudéjar architecture and mountainous surroundings.
The nearby city of Teruel presents a vibrant mix of shops, restaurants and bars, while neighbouring villages provide rural escapes. Valencia Airport is located 148km away.
Living costs hover around €244 (£213) a month here, while the fully furnished three-storey house listed below is available for €330 (£287).
