Rent Absorbs 50% of Average Gross Salary in Spain as Rents Rise 9%

In 2025, Spaniards on average spent half of their gross salary on rent, according to data compiled by InfoJobs and Fotocasa. The share rose from 47% in 2024. The study used advertised salary figures and rental listings to calculate the ratio.

Advertised salaries increased by 1% over the year, adding an average of €276 to the annual gross figure. 9% in the same period. 21 per square metre per month.

For an 80-square-metre apartment, the typical annual rent totalled €13,642. The average national gross salary stood at €27,336, leaving exactly half for other expenses. Madrid required the largest share of income, with rent absorbing 71% of gross pay.

Catalonia followed at 70%. The Balearic Islands recorded 64%, the Basque Country 58%, and the Canary Islands 56%. Extremadura showed the lowest burden at 29% of gross pay. Castilla-La Mancha stood at 32%.

Both regions remained above the 30% threshold cited by international housing guidelines. At the provincial level, Barcelona demanded 76% of average gross salary for rent. Madrid province required 72%, the Balearic Islands province 64%, and Biscay 61%.

Las Palmas and Gipuzkoa each recorded 57%. Jaén recorded the lowest share at 23%, followed by Teruel at 25%, Cáceres at 27%, and Ciudad Real at 28%. Only seven provinces plus Extremadura stayed at or below 30%.

María Matos, head of research and spokesperson at Fotocasa, said spending 50% of income on rent constitutes a situation of genuine housing emergency. She noted the figure sits 20 points above recommended levels. InfoJobs stated that the €276 salary increase failed to offset the rental price rise.

The company said the gap limits saving, restricts labour mobility, and delays decisions such as leaving the family home or forming a household.