Valencia vs Alicante on €70,000: take-home pay, rent and cost of living in 2026
On a gross salary of €70,000 a year, a single employee takes home €3,934 a month in Valencia (67% of gross) and €3,934 a month in Alicante (67%), after income tax and social security contributions.
Alicante is 10% cheaper than Valencia overall (cost-of-living index 36.6 vs 40.7, New York = 100). A one-bedroom flat in the city centre rents for about €892 a month in Alicante and €1,262 in Valencia, which leaves €3,042 and €2,672 of take-home pay after rent. Keeping the same standard of living and saving 15% of your pay would cost about €3,007 a month in Alicante — this salary leaves €927 a month on top.
By category, groceries cost 11% more in Alicante than in Valencia, eating out 4% less and rent 22% less.
Of the gross salary, income tax takes €18,792 a year in Valencia and €18,792 in Alicante; social contributions and other levies take €3,996 and €3,996.
Moving from abroad? Under the Beckham law, take-home pay in Alicante would be €4,100 a month — see who qualifies.
| Valencia | Alicante | |
|---|---|---|
| Gross salary per year | €70,000 | €70,000 |
| Income tax per year | €18,792 | €18,792 |
| Social contributions per year | €3,996 | €3,996 |
| Take-home pay per month | €3,934 | €3,934 |
| One-bedroom rent, city centre | €1,262 | €892 |
| Left after rent | €2,672 | €3,042 |
| Cost-of-living index (New York = 100) | 40.7 | 36.6 |
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 Valencia vs Alicante
Is Alicante, Spain more expensive than Valencia, Spain?
Alicante, Spain is 10% cheaper than Valencia, Spain overall. On a gross salary of €70,000 a year, you take home €3,934 a month in Valencia, Spain and €3,934 a month in Alicante, Spain after income tax and social contributions.
How much can I save living in Alicante, Spain vs Valencia, Spain?
Keeping the same standard of living as in Valencia, Spain, you could save about €927 a month (€11,124 a year) in Alicante, Spain on this salary, after rent and living costs.
What taxes will I pay in Spain vs Spain?
On €70,000 gross a year you take home €3,934 a month in Spain and €3,934 a month in Spain. The calculation applies each country's 2026 income tax and social security rules for a single employee.