How much does it cost to live in San Sebastian? 2025 guide to expenses, salaries, and tips

Introduction

Just write “How much does it cost to live in San Sebastian?” on Google to verify that the capital of Gipuzkoa is at the top of the price rankings year after year. According to the latest report from the Kelisto comparison site,DonostiaIt is the most expensive city in Spain: the overall cost of living is13.92% above the national average, even ahead of Madrid and Barcelona Insurance NewsThe paradox—and at the same time the great local strength—is that Basque salaries are also among the highest in the country, which partially cushions the blow, although it does not neutralize it.

This 2025 guide brings together official data, real prices, and comparisons so that if you’re considering moving, studying, or looking for work here, you’ll know in advance how much money you’ll need and where expenses will skyrocket.

1. San Sebastián vs. the rest of Spain

When income and prices are crossed, San Sebastián appears as a unique case: a medium-sized population, but withTypical spending levels in a large luxury tourist metropolisThe aforementioned Kelisto study places the city at the top of the cost of living (+13.9%), while leaving Madrid at +12.5% ​​and Barcelona at +10.5% above the average. Insurance NewsInfoNegocios Barcelona.

The imbalance is particularly evident in the residential sector; hence, with the same purchasing power that would allow people to live comfortably in Valencia on around €3,800 per month, in San Sebastian they need to live comfortably.more than €4,200to maintain the same level of comfort.

Although Bilbao shares the “expensive north,” its cost index is around 5%, so San Sebastián practically stands alone in the top tier of domestic prices.

2. Housing and rentals: the economic concrete wall

2.1 Purchase

The factor that triggers the average spending is real estate.March 2025 marked a new all-time high: €6,000/m² for existing housing., absolute maximum in Spain IdealisticThis figure is almost triple the national average (just over €2,300/m²) and about €700/m² higher than Madrid. Even considering the slightly lower municipal statistics (€5,370/m²), the gap is still abysmal. Cadena SERBuying 80 m² in Gros or the Old Town requires a payout of between €450,000 and €500,000, figures that are only comparable in the central districts of the capital and Barcelona.

2.2 Rental

In 2023 theaverage rent signed €1,037 per monthand continues to rise Cadena SERelDiario.esThe direct consequence of this increase in prices (13.6% in five years) has been the declaration of Donostia as a“stressed residential market area”in May 2025, which will allow for new contracts to be signed for at least three years. ElNacional.cat.
The effort involved in rent and supplies already reaches 31% of the disposable income of San Sebastián households, above the international recommendation of 30%. Cadena SER.

Source: Own calculations based on Idealista and local press ExpansionNews from Gipuzkoa.

2.3 Why is housing so expensive?

• Limited physical supply:The city is nestled between mountains and sea.
• Tourist attraction: More than 1,395 tourist housing licenses are putting pressure on the residential stock.
• Aging park: 95,000 homes with an average age of 53 years, 20% without an elevator elDiario.es.
• Upper middle income: High wages allow many to pay more, pushing the bar higher.

For someone who is new, the most common strategy isshare a flator look in municipalities close to the capital—Errenteria, Hernani, Lasarte—where rents drop by 15-20%.

3. Transportation: the pleasant surprise

Here comes a breath of fresh air for your pocket. With thepersonalized Mugi cardThe first 20 trips cost €0.49; from 21 to 50, €0.40; and from trip 51 onwards, the price drops to €0.10. I hope soDbusAn average user who makes two trips a day spendsabout €25 per monthby bus.
He Topo (Bascot)Share the system, and the bike lanes invite you to switch directly to bike or scooter mode. Parking in the city center, on the other hand, can cost €2-3 per hour, so many residents save their cars for weekend getaways.

4. Food and shopping basket

The Basque Country is a land of good food… and high prices. The annual OCU study placesBarakaldo, Bilbao, and San Sebastián are among the 12 most expensive Spanish cities for shopping. infobaeIn San Sebastian, the maximum savings between choosing the cheapest or most expensive supermarket is around €1,144 per year, much less than in Madrid (a potential difference of €4,000) because almost all establishments start with high prices.
Even so, theAlcamp of Oiartzun—15 km away— has been proclaimed by the OCU as the cheapest supermarket in the Basque Country News from ÁlavaThat explains the weekly pilgrimage of San Sebastian residents with their trunks full.

For everyday shopping: a liter of milk €1.13, bread €1.06, chicken €5.98/kg. These are 5-10% more expensive than the national average. For a family of four, the monthly shopping basket ranges between500 and 600 €.

5. Restaurants and leisure

If anything defines Donostia, it’s the pintxo ritual. But you have to pay.

• Menu of the day: between €13 and €18, depending on the neighborhood News from Gipuzkoa.
• Scene for twoin an average restaurant: 40-50 € on average ElTenedor.
• Individual snacksIn the Old Town: €3-4; some creative ones exceed €5 elconfidencial.com.
• Jar of snacks(pintxo + drink, Thursday): €2.5 – €3.5 San Sebastián Tourism.

Four pintxo stops and two zuritos per bar translate intoabout €20 per headTourism intensifies the rise every summer, but the people of San Sebastián have learned to move on: areas like Gros and Egia offer somewhat cheaper routes, and if you prefer the classic talo or the cider house menu, the value for money improves.

For cultural entertainment, prices are more reasonable: cinema tickets are €7-8, municipal museums are €6-8, and many Jazz Festival and Semana Grande concerts are free. Hiking on Mount Urgull or a sunset stroll along the ConchaOf course, they still cost zero euros.

6. Education and other recurring expenses

6.1 Schools

Almost half of Basque students attend the private system.90% of the centers charge feesand the annual average amounts to€811 in Primary and €783 in Secondary He said, with peaks of €959, placing the Basque Country as the third most expensive community after Catalonia and Madrid Cadena SERFor a family with two children, that means between €130 and €160 per month, including lunch and extracurricular activities. Choosing a public school—of proven quality—eliminates that expense altogether.

6.2 Health and sport

Public healthcare (Osakidetza) covers almost everything; optional private insurance costs €50-70 per month.
In physical form, thelow-cost gymssuch as VivaGym or Altafit offer fees of €37-39 VivaGymAltafit Gym Club, while municipal sports centers (Kirol Txartela) drop to €26-46 per quarter depending on age DonostiaFor thalassotherapy enthusiasts, La Perla is a great place to start, but many are content with running on the beach or climbing Igeldo every morning—a free program with guaranteed cardio.

6.3 Connectivity and extras

Fiber optic cable plus unlimited mobile costs around €50-60 (national rates). Add Netflix, Spotify, or similar, and your digital bill can reach €70 per month. Domestic services (cleaning) cost €12-15 per hour; men’s hairdressing costs €15, women’s hairdressing costs €25-30… all 5% above the average, reflecting local wages.

7. Salaries and purchasing power

He The average gross salary in the Basque Country reached €2,744 per month in March 2025. Radio Nervión, almost €450 more than the national average. Another indicator for 2025 puts it at €2,248—the second highest figure in Spain after Madrid. Basque Chronicle.

In net terms, a worker without children earns about €1,900-€2,000 net per month. If we set aside €1,000 for rent and €275 for utilities, that leaves €700 for the rest. With a partner with a similar income, the pressure is lessened, but for hospitality salaries (€1,200 net), there are no miracles: sharing an apartment or moving to the suburbs becomes an obligation.

The unemployment rate, around 7%, is one of the lowest in the country, and well-paying public and technology jobs are plentiful; however, the sectoral gap is wide. Those who land with a qualified profile will find attractive salaries; those who land in entry-level positions will have to be careful with their expenses.

Conclusion: A city worth (and earning) its weight in gold

San Sebastián is expensive, yes, but also extraordinarily livable.On any given morning, you can surf Zurriola, clock in at the office ten minutes later, and end the day with a pintxo-pote at Gros. All on a human scale.

The big “toll” is housing. If you manage to overcome this—by sharing an apartment, choosing Altza, or settling in Hernani—the rest of the issues balance out: transportation is almost free, there are free leisure options, and public healthcare is excellent. With medium-high salaries, the balance tips in the positive direction; with basic wages, every euro counts, and quality of life will depend on the ability to adjust purchases and outings.

In short, the answer toHow much does it cost to live in San Sebastián? is: enough to force you to square numbers, but not enough to eclipse that moment when the sun sets behind Mount Igeldo and dyes the Bay of La Concha orangeIf that moment justifies the budget, Donostia awaits you with open arms—and pockets.

Author: Descubre Donostia