Housing and food devour half of Spanish household budgets in 2025 as costs outstrip inflation

Spending rises but tilts toward essentials

Spanish households spent an average of €35,101 in 2025, up €1,057 (3.1%) from 2024, according to the Family Budget Survey published by the INE on 25 June. Per person, spending rose 3.2% to €14,066. The increase outpaced the 2.9% inflation rate for the year, meaning real consumption grew modestly. Spending has now risen for five consecutive years. The breakdown shows a heavy tilt toward housing, food and transport.

Housing eats a record share

The biggest single drain on budgets was housing: households forked out an average of €11,665 on mortgage or rent, electricity, gas, water and maintenance. That sum absorbed 33.2% of all outlays, up from €8,737 in 2016. The category surged 5.8% year-on-year, adding €636 per household. Since 2016, housing costs have jumped 33.5%, well above the 30.5% cumulative inflation. If pandemic-affected years are excluded, the housing weight is at an all-time high.

A housing cost burden above 35% of income poses a financial risk.

Food and other essentials climb

Food and non-alcoholic drinks absorbed €5,626 (16% of budget), up 4.4% over 2024. Meat was the single largest food expense, followed by breads, dairy, fish and vegetables. Transport came third at €4,020 (11.5%). Together, housing, food and transport accounted for over 60% of all household spending. Spending on personal care and protection rose 5.2% to €1,293, while recreation, sport and culture advanced 4.7% to €1,772.

Sharp divide between rich and poor

The burden falls unevenly. The poorest 20% of households poured 41.9% of their spending into housing alone, far exceeding the Bank of Spain's 35% risk threshold. Adding food lifts the share to 61.5%, leaving only 38.5% for everything else (transport, health, education, leisure). The richest 20% spent 28.9% on housing and 41.2% on housing plus food, with a third of their outlays going to transport, restaurants and recreation.

Restaurants, alcohol and tobacco retreat

Not all spending rose. Outlays on alcoholic drinks and tobacco fell 3.4% to €432, the category's steepest decline. Restaurant and hotel spending slipped 2.7% to €3,282, while furniture and household goods dipped 2.1% and communications fell 2%. Young households (sustainer under 30) spent the smallest share on alcohol (0.79% of budget) but the largest on restaurants (12.2%), while older households reversed the pattern.

Household type matters

Couples with children had the highest average spending at €44,438, €1,275 more than in 2024. Single-person households spent half that: €23,784 for under-65s and €23,024 for over-65s, though the younger singles saw the biggest jump, up 7%. The data also show men spending more than women on both alcohol and eating out.