Alicante vs Tarragona on €80,000: take-home pay, rent and cost of living in 2026
On a gross salary of €80,000 a year, a single employee takes home €4,373 a month in Alicante (66% of gross) and €4,375 a month in Tarragona (66%), after income tax and social security contributions.
Tarragona is 1% more expensive than Alicante overall (cost-of-living index 36.9 vs 36.6, New York = 100). A one-bedroom flat in the city centre rents for about €809 a month in Tarragona and €892 in Alicante, which leaves €3,565 and €3,481 of take-home pay after rent. Keeping the same standard of living and saving 15% of your pay would cost about €3,748 a month in Tarragona — this salary leaves €627 a month on top.
By category, groceries cost 0% more in Tarragona than in Alicante, eating out 7% less and rent 19% less.
Of the gross salary, income tax takes €23,506 a year in Alicante and €23,489 in Tarragona; social contributions and other levies take €4,017 and €4,017.
Moving from abroad? Under the Beckham law, take-home pay in Tarragona would be €4,732 a month — see who qualifies.
| Alicante | Tarragona | |
|---|---|---|
| Gross salary per year | €80,000 | €80,000 |
| Income tax per year | €23,506 | €23,489 |
| Social contributions per year | €4,017 | €4,017 |
| Take-home pay per month | €4,373 | €4,375 |
| One-bedroom rent, city centre | €892 | €809 |
| Left after rent | €3,481 | €3,565 |
| Cost-of-living index (New York = 100) | 36.6 | 36.9 |
How each figure is taxed: Spain tax calculator and Spain tax calculator. Single employee without children; rent and price data from Numbeo, refreshed monthly.
Questions about Alicante vs Tarragona
Is Tarragona, Spain more expensive than Alicante, Spain?
Tarragona, Spain is 1% more expensive than Alicante, Spain overall. On a gross salary of €80,000 a year, you take home €4,373 a month in Alicante, Spain and €4,375 a month in Tarragona, Spain after income tax and social contributions.
How much can I save living in Tarragona, Spain vs Alicante, Spain?
Keeping the same standard of living as in Alicante, Spain, you could save about €627 a month (€7,523 a year) in Tarragona, Spain on this salary, after rent and living costs.
What taxes will I pay in Spain vs Spain?
On €80,000 gross a year you take home €4,373 a month in Spain and €4,375 a month in Spain. The calculation applies each country's 2026 income tax and social security rules for a single employee.