NLVNet Life Value

Moving from
to

Complete relocation analysis: taxes, real prices, quality of life, and what salary to ask for.

The verdict

Spain is 9% cheaper to live in. Tax rate goes from 29.8% to 24.5%. Quality of life improves by 5 points.

An analysis of Italy versus Spain shows Spain with a distinct lead in quality of life at 68/100, five points above Italy's 63/100. The climate emerges as a primary differentiator, with Spain scoring 74 (average 15.5°C) against Italy's 63 (average 14°C), reflecting Spain's generally warmer conditions. Taxation presents another notable gap, albeit smaller, with Spain's score of 31 surpassing Italy's 26, suggesting a slightly less burdensome tax regime. Both nations are closely matched on cost of living, with Italy at 66 and Spain at 70, indicating similar affordability. Spain also offers marginally higher safety (87 vs 85) and healthcare quality (66 vs 62).

Spain is the clear winner, primarily driven by its superior climate and marginally better scores across taxation, safety, and healthcare.

Moving to Spain? NLV varies by city.

Malaga61Valencia61Barcelona58Madrid57

Tax Comparison

At $37,769 USD equivalent gross salary

🇮🇹 Italy

Gross€34,650
Income Tax-€6,813
Social-€3,531
Net€24,307
Effective Rate29.8%

🇪🇸 Spain

Gross€34,650
Income Tax-€6,296
Social-€2,200
Net€26,154
Effective Rate24.5%

Net difference: +$2,014/year in Spain.Full calculator →

What Things Actually Cost

Price Index: Italy = 89, Spain = 81 (US = 100)

🍔

Big Mac

$5.20→$5.10
-2%
☕

Starbucks Tall Latte

$4.20→$3.80
-10%
🍺

Beer 500ml (bar)

$6.00→$4.50
-25%
📱

iPhone 16 128GB

$900.00→$900.00
0%
🎬

Netflix Standard (monthly)

$12.99→$12.99
0%
⛽

1L Gasoline (95)

$1.90→$1.65
-13%
🚇

Single Transit Ticket

$2.00→$1.70
-15%
🏠

Airbnb Studio (city center)

$85.00→$80.00
-6%
See all 30 products →

What Salary to Ask For

If you earn €34,650 gross in Italy ($37,769USD), here's what you need in Spain depending on your goal:

Same net income (tax only)

€31,743

You keep the same $26,494/yr net in both countries. Spain taxes 6.4% less.

Same purchasing power (recommended)

€28,890

Accounts for the fact that Spain is 9% cheaper than Italy. This is the number to negotiate.

Net Life Value at $38K

🇮🇹 Italy

51

+6

🇪🇸 Spain

57

NLV combines net income, cost of living, and quality of life into one score. Moving to Spain improves your overall quality of life.

Calculate with your exact salary →

Quality of Life

Italy: 63/100 vs Spain: 68/100

Cost of Living
66
70
+4
Climate
63
74
+11
Safety
85
87
+2
Healthcare
62
66
+4
Internet
73
76
+3
Taxation
26
31
+5

Moving to Spain: Practicalities

Visa Openness

65/100

English Level

50/100

Expat Community

15.2%

Digital Nomad Visa

Available

Frequently Asked Questions

How much tax do I save moving from Italy to Spain?▾
The effective tax rate changes from 29.8% in Italy to 24.5% in Spain. You keep about $2,013.84 more per year in Spain.
Is Spain cheaper to live in than Italy?▾
Yes. Spain is about 9% cheaper across 30 everyday products (Big Mac, iPhone, gasoline, Netflix, etc.). Your money goes further.
What salary do I need in Spain to match my lifestyle in Italy?▾
Use our salary calculator to find the exact amount. It accounts for income tax, social contributions, and cost of living differences between Italy and Spain. As a rule of thumb: a similar gross salary should maintain your lifestyle.
Is it worth moving from Italy to Spain?▾
It depends on your priorities. Financially, Spain is clearly better: lower taxes and lower cost of living.

Also Consider

🇮🇹 → 🇺🇸 United States🇮🇹 → 🇬🇧 United Kingdom🇮🇹 → 🇫🇷 France🇮🇹 → 🇩🇪 Germany🇮🇹 → 🇵🇹 Portugal🇮🇹 → 🇳🇱 Netherlands