Alicante vs Valencia on €90,000: take-home pay, rent and cost of living in 2026
On a gross salary of €90,000 a year, a single employee takes home €4,801 a month in Alicante (64% of gross) and €4,801 a month in Valencia (64%), after income tax and social security contributions.
Valencia is 11% more expensive than Alicante overall (cost-of-living index 40.7 vs 36.6, New York = 100). A one-bedroom flat in the city centre rents for about €1,262 a month in Valencia and €892 in Alicante, which leaves €3,538 and €3,908 of take-home pay after rent. Keeping the same standard of living and saving 15% of your pay would cost about €4,538 a month in Valencia — this salary leaves €263 a month on top.
By category, groceries cost 10% less in Valencia than in Alicante, eating out 5% more and rent 27% more.
Of the gross salary, income tax takes €28,356 a year in Alicante and €28,356 in Valencia; social contributions and other levies take €4,038 and €4,038.
Moving from abroad? Under the Beckham law, take-home pay in Valencia would be €5,363 a month — see who qualifies.
| Alicante | Valencia | |
|---|---|---|
| Gross salary per year | €90,000 | €90,000 |
| Income tax per year | €28,356 | €28,356 |
| Social contributions per year | €4,038 | €4,038 |
| Take-home pay per month | €4,801 | €4,801 |
| One-bedroom rent, city centre | €892 | €1,262 |
| Left after rent | €3,908 | €3,538 |
| Cost-of-living index (New York = 100) | 36.6 | 40.7 |
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 Valencia
Is Valencia, Spain more expensive than Alicante, Spain?
Valencia, Spain is 11% more expensive than Alicante, Spain overall. On a gross salary of €90,000 a year, you take home €4,801 a month in Alicante, Spain and €4,801 a month in Valencia, Spain after income tax and social contributions.
How much can I save living in Valencia, Spain vs Alicante, Spain?
Keeping the same standard of living as in Alicante, Spain, you could save about €263 a month (€3,156 a year) in Valencia, Spain on this salary, after rent and living costs.
What taxes will I pay in Spain vs Spain?
On €90,000 gross a year you take home €4,801 a month in Spain and €4,801 a month in Spain. The calculation applies each country's 2026 income tax and social security rules for a single employee.