Moving to Valencia, Spain in 2026

Considering relocating to Valencia? Expect rent from $1166/month, one of the safer cities in its region, Spanish is the main language; English is manageable in urban areas. This page covers cost of living, safety, weather, residency options, and everything else settlers want to know before signing a lease.

🇪🇸 Valencia, Spain

Compare
0.8M peopleLivability: 72/100 · #27 of 6769% cheaper than NYC
How the Livability Score is calculated
Affordability
17.6/25 ptsNumbeo
Violent Crime
14.4/15 ptsUNODC
Perceived Safety
6.5/10 ptsNumbeo
Internet
7.4/15 ptsOokla
Democracy
12.1/15 ptsEIU
English
6.2/10 ptsEF EPI
Climate
8.2/10 ptsNumbeo
Stability
7.2/10 ptsWorld Bank

Total: 79.6 / 110 raw pts → normalized to 72/100

🌤️

It's 4:45 PM in Valencia

The afternoon is in full swing.

Affordability71/100
Safety84/100
Climate91/100
Connectivity49/100
Democracy81/100
English Ease62/100
Clear Days65%

Scores derived from: Numbeo (cost of living) · UNODC (crime) · Economist Intelligence Unit (democracy) · EF EPI (English) · Ookla/Speedtest (internet)

Weather in Valencia

Spring

20°C

60% sunny

Summer

29°C

81% sunny

Fall

23°C

59% sunny

Winter

16°C

59% sunny

Best: Summer, Spring, Fall.

Cost of Living in ValenciaNumbeo

Beer (0.5L)

$3.29

Cappuccino

$2.21

Cheap meal

$13.71

Fast food combo

$10.97

Bus/metro ticket

$1.64

Gym/month

$39

Internet/month

$30

Is it actually a democracy?

Democracy index: 8.07 (#23 globally)· Full democracy

Freedom House: 90/100

Press freedom rank: #23 of 180

Sources: EIU Democracy Index · Freedom House · RSF Press Freedom Index

Is Valencia Safe?UNODC + Numbeo

84/100

Homicide rate: 0.6 per 100,000 (world average ~5.8)

Numbeo Safety Index: 65.3/100 (covers theft, property crime, perception)

Statistically one of the safest cities on Earth. You'll stop thinking about safety within a week.

People generally feel safe day-to-day. Petty crime exists but isn't a constant worry.

Will the lights stay on?

Decent
57% electricity from renewables
Occasional outages

English in ValenciaEF EPI

Moderate

Primary language is Spanish.

English works in business and tourist areas, but you'll want to pick up some local language for daily life.

For Russian/Ukrainian speakers: Very different — steep learning curve

Who Has Offices in Valencia?

MercadonaIBMSiemens MobilityAmadeusFlywire

Notable employers with offices in the city. Not exhaustive.

Is Valencia Worth Moving To?

For

  • +Safe enough that you stop thinking about it, which is exactly the point.
  • +29°C summers with the sea nearby. This is not a drill.

Can you actually live here?

Visa difficulty, time to residency, and what it takes to stay.

EU citizenEasy
US citizenModerate
RussianComplex
UkrainianModerate
5 years to permanent residency
10 years to citizenship
Work permit: Moderate
Compare all countries by visa difficulty →

What you can actually do here

Industries, employers, and how startup-friendly this place is.

Employment

tourism techagritechautomotivedesign

Startup Scene

Ecosystem: Active
VC: Rare

Corporate tax rate: 25%

Valencia — Frequently Asked Questions

Is Valencia safe?

Valencia has a homicide rate of 0.6 per 100,000 people (source: UNODC), making it very safe. The world average is around 5.8 per 100,000. The Numbeo Crime Index is 34.7/100 (lower is safer), which reflects residents' self-reported concerns about property crime, theft, and everyday safety. As with any city, awareness of local neighborhoods is recommended before settling.

What is the cost of living in Valencia?

A 1-bedroom apartment in Valencia city centre costs around $1166/month (Numbeo data). Day-to-day: a cheap restaurant meal: $13.71, monthly transit pass: $33. A single person can expect total monthly costs of roughly $1566–$1966 depending on lifestyle — covering rent, food, transport, and utilities.

What is the weather like in Valencia?

Valencia has Summers reach around 29°C, winters drop to around 7°C. Summers are hot, so air conditioning is recommended.

Can you get by in Valencia without knowing the local language?

Valencia has Moderate English proficiency (EF EPI data). Basic interactions are possible in English in tourist and business areas, but learning some local language helps significantly.

Is Valencia a good place to settle long-term?

Valencia is in Spain, which scores 8.1/10 on the EIU Democracy Index. Strong institutions and rule of law make it a stable choice for long-term settlement. Rent from $1166/month.

What is the job market like in Valencia?

Spain has an unemployment rate of 9.9%, indicating a challenging job market; many expats rely on remote work or bring skills from abroad. For settlers planning to work locally, research your industry before committing. Remote workers and self-employed expats are less affected by local employment conditions.

Which companies have offices in Valencia?

Notable companies with offices in Valencia include Mercadona, IBM, Siemens Mobility, Amadeus, Flywire. The city's job market spans tech, finance, and other sectors — check company career pages for current openings.

Is Valencia good for expats?

Valencia attracts expats looking for long-term relocation in Spain. Key facts: rent from $1166/month; Spain Digital Nomad Visa (moderate requirements); moderate English proficiency means expats may need some local language. The Livability Score, safety data, and cost of living figures above give a data-driven picture of what to expect when settling here.

How do I get long-term residency or a visa to live in Spain?

Spain offers the Spain Digital Nomad Visa program. Duration: 1 year (renewable to 5). Requirements: Proof of remote income ≥ €2,334/mo. Work must be primarily for non-Spanish clients. The process is manageable but requires preparation and documentation. Check the official government portal for the most up-to-date application process.

🇪🇸 Valencia
BeachHot summersVery safeRising economy

Expenses

$1,800 / mo

🧘 That's 72 yoga classes/mo

winter

😊 16°C / ❄️ 7°C

summer

🌞 29°C / 😊 20°C

Internet · Ookla Speedtest

98 Mbps

ES: 125 Mbps

Spain

Economics · World Bank / IMF

GDP per capita (PPP)2024

$57,965

GDP Growth2024

+3.5%

Inflation Rate2024

2.8%

Unemployment2025

9.9%

Gini Index2023

33.4 

Population2024

820,000

Politics · EIU Democracy Index

Democracy Index

8.0723rd

Regime

Full democracy

Safety · UNODC

Homicide per 100K

0.6

Language · EF EPI

Languages

Spanish (I)

English Proficiency

Moderate35th

Data sources

Cost of living: Numbeo crowd-sourced data

Homicide rate: UNODC 2022

Crime perception index: Numbeo Crime Index

Democracy index: Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU)

Freedom House score: Freedom House Freedom in the World 2025

Press freedom rank: RSF World Press Freedom Index 2025

GDP per capita: World Bank / IMF

English proficiency: EF English Proficiency Index (EF EPI)

Internet speed: Ookla Speedtest Global Index

Grid reliability & renewables: IEA / national grid operators

Residency & visa data: https://www.immigrationspain.es/en/citizenship-by-residency/