Rising household costs in Spain highlight transport and housing pressures

A report by EAE Business School reveals that Spanish households spent an average of 4,020 euros annually on transport in 2025, up from 3,158 euros in 2015. This increase represents 11.5% of the average family budget. The study introduces the concept of ‘mobility poverty,’ where high travel costs or poor connectivity limit access to employment and social services.

Disparities in transport usage are linked to population density. In municipalities with fewer than 10,000 inhabitants, 73.5% of residents rely on automobiles, whereas only 29.6% do so in larger cities. Conversely, public transport is the primary mode for 48.8% of residents in larger municipalities, compared to just 10.9% in smaller towns.

Data from the INE Family Budget Survey shows that total annual household spending in Spain reached an average of 35,101 euros in 2025, a 3.1% increase from the previous year. Housing, utilities, and fuel constitute the largest expenditure at 11,665 euros, or 33.2% of the total budget, followed by food at 16%.