One of the recurring questions from buyers moving to the Costa Blanca South is simple: once you own the property, what does it actually cost to live here month to month? This guide covers the realistic ongoing costs of owning and living in a home in Ciudad Quesada — separate from the one-off purchase costs covered in our guide to buying costs and taxes.
Utilities
Electricity, water, and gas together typically run somewhere between €80 and €150 a month for a 2–3 bedroom home, depending on the season (air conditioning in summer and any heating in winter are the main swing factors) and how the home is used — a property occupied full-time will naturally cost more to run than a holiday home used for part of the year. Broadband and mobile costs are broadly in line with the rest of Western Europe, and providers are used to setting up service for international customers.
Groceries and eating out
Basic household groceries for a couple typically come to somewhere around €250–€350 a month, shopping at ordinary supermarkets rather than specialist import stores. Eating out remains genuinely good value by Northern European standards — a menú del día (a fixed-price weekday lunch menu, usually including a drink) typically costs €10–€15 at an ordinary local restaurant, and this remains one of the more noticeable, pleasant surprises for buyers moving from the UK, Ireland, Germany, or the Netherlands.
Community fees
Homes within a shared development — including Residencial Montesol, with its communal pool — carry a community fee (cuota de comunidad) covering the maintenance of shared areas. The exact figure depends on what’s included and how many properties share the cost, so it’s worth confirming the specific figure for any development you’re considering rather than assuming a fixed number applies everywhere.
Property tax (IBI)
IBI (Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles) is an annual local property tax, set by the town hall and based on the property’s official cadastral value rather than its market price — so it’s generally a modest, predictable annual cost rather than a major budget item, though the exact figure depends on the property and the specific municipality.
Non-resident income tax
If you own a Spanish property but aren’t tax resident in Spain, you’re still liable for a modest annual non-resident income tax (IRNR), calculated on a notional rental value of the property even if you don’t actually rent it out. This is a separate, and usually much smaller, obligation from IBI, and most non-resident owners simply have their Spanish accountant or gestor file it annually.
Private health insurance
Many non-resident owners — and residents who aren’t yet in the Spanish state healthcare system — take out private health insurance, which typically runs from roughly €60 to €200 per month per person depending on age and level of cover. Given the strong private healthcare infrastructure in this area (see our guide to healthcare for expats), many buyers find this a worthwhile cost for the peace of mind and shorter waiting times it brings, particularly for anyone not yet eligible for the state system.
Buildings insurance
Separate from health insurance, home insurance covering the structure and contents is standard practice (and a requirement if you have a mortgage). Costs vary with the property’s value and level of cover, but are generally reasonable compared with equivalent cover in Northern Europe.
A rough monthly picture for a couple
Bringing the above together, a couple living full-time in a home like one of the two at Residencial Montesol, without factoring in rent (since these figures assume ownership) or one-off costs, might realistically budget:
- Utilities: €80–€150
- Groceries: €250–€350
- Community fees: varies by development
- Private health insurance (if used): €120–€400 for two people
- IBI and non-resident tax: modest, annual rather than monthly
Eating out, leisure, golf memberships or green fees, and travel are on top of this and vary enormously by lifestyle — someone playing golf several times a week and dining out regularly will naturally spend more than someone living more quietly, and that’s true anywhere, not specific to Spain.
How this compares to Northern Europe
For buyers coming from the UK, Ireland, Germany, the Netherlands, or Scandinavia, day-to-day costs here — eating out especially, but also many groceries and most personal services — tend to feel noticeably cheaper than at home, even after the recent period of general price rises across Spain. It’s rarely the deciding factor on its own, but it’s a genuine, ongoing benefit of living here rather than just a one-off saving on the purchase price.
Leisure and golf costs
For buyers whose lifestyle centres partly on golf (see our golf courses guide), regular playing costs are worth budgeting separately from the essentials above. Membership or multi-round packages at local clubs generally work out cheaper per round than one-off green fees, and playing in the shoulder seasons (spring and autumn) is typically less expensive than peak summer tee times. Beyond golf, everyday leisure — cinema, gyms, local sports clubs — is generally in line with, or cheaper than, equivalent options in Northern Europe.
Car ownership and running costs
Since Ciudad Quesada is built around car use, budgeting for a vehicle is realistic for most residents rather than optional. Fuel prices in Spain have historically tracked below the EU average, and routine servicing and insurance for an ordinary car are generally reasonable by Northern European standards, though costs vary with the vehicle and your own driving history and no-claims record when transferring insurance from another country.
How costs compare across a typical year
Costs here aren’t flat across the year — utility bills rise in the height of summer with air conditioning use, and again modestly in winter if heating is needed, though winters are mild enough that heating costs are far lower than in Northern Europe. Community and leisure spending can also shift seasonally, with more visitors and activity (and marginally higher prices at some restaurants and bars) during the peak summer months compared with the quieter shoulder seasons.
Questions about costs specific to Residencial Montesol
For the specific community fee and any other ongoing costs that apply to Residencial Montesol, get in touch via our Contact page. See our The Homes page for the property specification, or our Rojales and Ciudad Quesada town guide for more on the area.
Figures on this page are general estimates based on typical costs in the area, not a quote for any specific property. Prices change over time — always confirm current costs before budgeting your move.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ciudad Quesada cheaper to live in than the UK or Ireland?
Most day-to-day costs — eating out especially, and many groceries and services — tend to feel noticeably cheaper here, though this varies by category and has narrowed somewhat after recent general price rises across Spain.
What’s the biggest ongoing cost of owning property here?
For most owners, private health insurance (if used) and community fees are the largest recurring costs beyond routine utilities and groceries — see the breakdown above for typical ranges.
Do I have to pay Spanish tax if I don’t live here full-time?
Yes — non-resident owners are liable for a modest annual non-resident income tax (IRNR) based on a notional rental value, separate from IBI property tax, regardless of whether the property is actually rented out.
Is a car essential in Ciudad Quesada?
For most residents, yes — the area is built around car use, though local buses connect to Guardamar del Segura and Torrevieja for those who’d rather not drive.
See the full listing for Residencial Montesol, our new build development in Ciudad Quesada, for current pricing.