In Spain, young people spend 98% of their income on rent
In Spain, young people are increasingly unable to afford to live on their own due to the rapid rise in housing costs. According to the Spanish Youth Council, only 14.5% of citizens aged 16–29 live separately from their parents. The average rent is about €1,176 per month, while the average income of young workers is approximately €1,191, which effectively means that nearly their entire salary goes toward housing.
This is reported by the Spanish media outlet RTVE.
As a result, young people have to spend 98.7% of their income on rent. Because of this, the rate of young people living independently has dropped to the lowest level ever recorded.
The average age at which Spaniards leave their parents’ home has already exceeded 30 years. By comparison, the average in European Union countries is around 26 years.
Even having a job does not guarantee the ability to rent a separate apartment. Over 70% of employed young people continue to live with their parents, as renting on their own remains unaffordable for many.
Due to high prices, an increasing number of young Spaniards are renting rooms rather than apartments. The average cost of a room is approximately 400 euros per month, and demand for this type of housing is constantly growing.
The situation is complicated by a shortage of affordable housing. The market lacks both public housing stock and new apartments. As a result, prices continue to rise, and competition for housing intensifies.
Why can’t Spaniards buy their own homes?
The problems extend beyond renting to include buying property. In 2025, housing prices in Spain rose by 12.7%—the largest price increase in the past 18 years.
The average cost of housing already exceeds 220,000 euros. As a result, it is becoming increasingly difficult for young people to save even for a down payment on a mortgage. According to researchers’ estimates, it would take nearly five years of saving one’s entire salary without any other expenses to accumulate the necessary amount.
Obtaining a mortgage is also difficult due to bank requirements. Young workers often have temporary contracts or unstable employment, so banks are reluctant to approve loans.
The Spanish Youth Council stated that housing has become one of the main factors of social inequality. They emphasized that even having an education and a formal job no longer guarantees the ability to live independently or buy one’s own apartment.
In which Spanish cities has apartment rent become the most expensive?
Barcelona remains the most expensive city for rent. There, the average price has already reached 23.9 euros per square meter. In Madrid, rent costs 21.2 euros, and in San Sebastián, 18.1 euros per square meter.
At the same time, rents rose the fastest in smaller cities. Over the past year, prices rose the most in Segovia—by 16.1%, Ciudad Real—by 14.7%, and Ávila—by 13.6%. Analysts attribute this to the fact that renters are increasingly moving from expensive metropolises to smaller cities.
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