Price comparison
The same 29 everyday buys in Spain and Italy, from a coffee to an airport taxi: what locals pay, what tourist spots charge, and where your money goes further.
The numbers that decide a trip, in one table. Money in USD, the local price underneath.
What locals pay in Spain and Italy, item by item. Shown in USD at one daily rate so the two sides compare, with the local price underneath. Differences under 3% count as about the same.
16 of the 29 items cost less in Spain.
Bottled, convenience store
Spain: ≈ $0.56 – $1.40 €0.50 – €1.20 Italy: ≈ $0.56 – $1.40 €0.50 – €1.20 Cafe or street vendor
Spain: ≈ $1.20 – $2.50 €1.10 – €2.20 Italy: ≈ $1.10 – $1.70 €1.00 – €1.50 Draft, at bar or restaurant
Spain: ≈ $2 – $5.60 €1.80 – €5.00 Italy: ≈ $3.40 – $5.60 €3 – €5 Tourist area, main course
Spain: ≈ $17 – $39 €15 – €35 Italy: ≈ $14 – $23 €12 – €20 Local market or stand
Spain: ≈ $3.40 – $9 €3 – €8 Italy: ≈ $3.40 – $7.90 €3 – €7 Mixed drink, bar
Spain: ≈ $9 – $14 €8 – €12 Italy: ≈ $8 – $14 €7 – €12 House wine, restaurant
Spain: ≈ $9 – $17 €8 – €15 Italy: ≈ $6 – $17 €5 – €15 Cafe or street stall
Spain: ≈ $1.70 – $3.40 €1.50 – €3.00 Italy: ≈ $1.70 – $3.40 €1.50 – €3.00 Standard route
Spain: ≈ $34 – $51 €30 – €45 Italy: ≈ $34 – $62 €30 – €55 Metered or typical fare
Spain: ≈ $3.90 – $5.60 €3.50 – €5.00 Italy: ≈ $6 – $10 €5 – €9 Single ride
Spain: ≈ $1.70 – $3.40 €1.50 – €3.00 Italy: ≈ $1.70 – $2.80 €1.50 – €2.50 Grab / Bolt / Uber
Spain: ≈ $7 – $14 €6 – €12 Italy: ≈ $23 – $68 €20 – €60 Tourist shop
Spain: ≈ $2.30 – $5.60 €2 – €5 Italy: ≈ $1.10 – $6.80 €1 – €6 Tourist shop
Spain: ≈ $9 – $20 €8 – €18 Italy: ≈ $14 – $28 €12 – €25 Ceramics, textiles, etc.
Spain: ≈ $11 – $39 €10 – €35 Italy: ≈ $14 – $45 €12 – €40 Data package
Spain: ≈ $11 – $34 €10 – €30 Italy: ≈ $17 – $28 €15 – €25 Pharmacy or shop
Spain: ≈ $9 – $18 €8 – €16 Italy: ≈ $9 – $25 €8 – €22 Supermarket
Spain: ≈ $0.45 – $1.10 €0.40 – €1.00 Italy: ≈ $0.56 – $1.40 €0.50 – €1.20 Pack of 20
Spain: ≈ $5.60 – $7.90 €5 – €7 Italy: ≈ $6 – $7.70 €5.30 – €6.80 Pack of 20 tablets
Spain: ≈ $0.75 – $2.80 €0.67 – €2.50 Italy: ≈ $2.60 – $6.20 €2.30 – €5.50 Spray or lotion
Spain: ≈ $2.80 – $5.60 €2.50 – €5.00 Italy: ≈ $7 – $11 €6.00 – €9.50 Local barbershop
Spain: ≈ $11 – $28 €10 – €25 Italy: ≈ $11 – $28 €10 – €25 Laundry service
Spain: ≈ $2.30 – $5.60 €2 – €5 Italy: ≈ $4.50 – $10 €4 – €9 Standard full-body massage
Spain: ≈ $45 – $96 €40 – €85 Italy: ≈ $51 – $90 €45 – €80 Basic cut, salon
Spain: ≈ $23 – $45 €20 – €40 Italy: ≈ $28 – $56 €25 – €50 Entrance ticket
Spain: ≈ $9 – $23 €8 – €20 Italy: ≈ $11 – $28 €10 – €25 Organized excursion
Spain: ≈ $28 – $68 €25 – €60 Italy: ≈ $34 – $79 €30 – €70 Organized excursion 6-8h
Spain: ≈ $45 – $90 €40 – €80 Italy: ≈ $100 – $180 €90 – €160 Local cuisine cooking class
Spain: ≈ $47 – $79 €42 – €70 Italy: ≈ $68 – $170 €60 – €150 Tourist prices are about 2.5× the fair price in Spain and 2.6× in Italy, close to even.
Spain 15th lowest of 60
Italy 24th lowest of 60
What is expected in each country, so you neither stiff anyone nor overpay.
Spain Tipping is not expected in Spain and menu prices already include tax. In casual bars and family restaurants locals just round up or leave a few coins, and 1 to 2 euros per person is plenty. In upscale places check the bill for servicio incluido; if service is not listed, 5 to 10 percent for good service is generous.
Italy Italian restaurants charge a "coperto" (cover charge, typically 1–3€) that covers bread and service. An additional tip is not expected, but rounding up by 1–2€ or leaving small change is a polite gesture if the service was exceptional.
No. In Spain you pay about 19% less than in Italy at fair prices. TruePrice Index: Spain 148, Italy 183 (100 is the median of the 60 countries I track). 16 of the 29 items cost less in Spain. One catch: a tourist day at fair prices (two meals, a coffee, water, a beer, two transit rides and a short taxi ride) costs less in Italy, about $43 against $51.
A week is cheaper in Italy: about $300 at fair prices, against $355 in Spain. That covers two meals, a coffee, water, a beer, two transit rides and a short taxi ride a day. Flights and accommodation are not included. At tourist-trap prices the same week runs about $835 in Spain and $790 in Italy.
In Italy: food and drinks cost about 10% less there on average. A restaurant meal costs $17 – $39 in Spain and $14 – $23 in Italy, street food $3.40 – $9 and $3.40 – $7.90.
Tourist prices are about 2.5× the fair price in Spain and 2.6× in Italy, close to even. The biggest gaps in Spain: water 1.5 L (4.3×), city taxi 1 km (4.1×), and local handcraft (3.8×). The biggest gaps in Italy: water 0.5 L (4.4×), water 1.5 L (4.4×), and bottle of wine (4.3×).
Where these numbers come from, and how the comparison works.
How to cite
TruePrice, Spain vs Italy, October 2026, truepriceapp.com/en/compare/spain-vs-italy/
Spotted a price that looks off? Email me at contact@truepriceapp.com and I will check it.
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