Best Cities in Spain to Live In 2026
3 cities ranked by Livability Score — affordability, safety, internet, democracy & climate.
Valencia
72/100Barcelona
69/100Madrid
69/100Compare cities in Spain
❓ Living in Spain — Common Questions
What is the best city to live in Spain?▾
Based on our Livability Score, Valencia ranks #1 in Spain with a score of 72/100, and city-centre rent from around $1166/month.
What is the safest city in Spain?▾
By UNODC homicide rate data, Valencia is the safest city in Spain in our database, with a rate of 0.6 per 100,000 people.
Should I move to Valencia or Barcelona?▾
Valencia scores 72/100 on our Livability Score vs 69/100 for Barcelona. Rent is $1166/mo in Valencia vs $1400/mo in Barcelona. See the full comparison at the bottom of this page.
How do I get long-term residency or a visa to live in Spain?▾
Spain offers the Spain Digital Nomad Visa (moderate process). Duration: 1 year (renewable to 5). Key requirement: Proof of remote income ≥ €2,334/mo. Work must be primarily for non-Spanish clients.. The process is moderate difficulty. Check individual city pages for full details.