Vigo vs Alicante on €50,000: take-home pay, rent and cost of living in 2026
On a gross salary of €50,000 a year, a single employee takes home €2,962 a month in Vigo (71% of gross) and €2,980 a month in Alicante (72%), after income tax and social security contributions.
Alicante is 1% cheaper than Vigo overall (cost-of-living index 36.6 vs 36.8, New York = 100). A one-bedroom flat in the city centre rents for about €892 a month in Alicante and €796 in Vigo, which leaves €2,088 and €2,166 of take-home pay after rent. Keeping the same standard of living and saving 15% of your pay would cost about €2,504 a month in Alicante — this salary leaves €476 a month on top.
By category, groceries cost 1% more in Alicante than in Vigo, eating out 14% more and rent 30% more.
Of the gross salary, income tax takes €11,205 a year in Vigo and €10,985 in Alicante; social contributions and other levies take €3,250 and €3,250.
| Vigo | Alicante | |
|---|---|---|
| Gross salary per year | €50,000 | €50,000 |
| Income tax per year | €11,205 | €10,985 |
| Social contributions per year | €3,250 | €3,250 |
| Take-home pay per month | €2,962 | €2,980 |
| One-bedroom rent, city centre | €796 | €892 |
| Left after rent | €2,166 | €2,088 |
| Cost-of-living index (New York = 100) | 36.8 | 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 Vigo vs Alicante
Is Alicante, Spain more expensive than Vigo, Spain?
Alicante, Spain is 1% cheaper than Vigo, Spain overall. On a gross salary of €50,000 a year, you take home €2,962 a month in Vigo, Spain and €2,980 a month in Alicante, Spain after income tax and social contributions.
How much can I save living in Alicante, Spain vs Vigo, Spain?
Keeping the same standard of living as in Vigo, Spain, you could save about €476 a month (€5,716 a year) in Alicante, Spain on this salary, after rent and living costs.
What taxes will I pay in Spain vs Spain?
On €50,000 gross a year you take home €2,962 a month in Spain and €2,980 a month in Spain. The calculation applies each country's 2026 income tax and social security rules for a single employee.