Spain's housing affordability crisis has reached a new peak. According to a study by InfoJobs and Fotocasa, the average Spanish worker now spends 50% of their gross annual salary on rent, up from 47% in 2024 and 38% in 2019. This marks the highest level recorded in the data series, underscoring a deepening structural problem.
The study, which analyzes advertised salaries and rental prices, found that while gross wages rose by just 1% over the past year, rental costs surged by 6.9%, reaching €14.21 per square metre per month. For an 80-square-metre apartment, the average annual rent now stands at €13,642, consuming half of the national average gross salary of €27,336.
Regional disparities: Madrid and Catalonia under the most pressure
The burden is far from evenly distributed. In the Comunidad de Madrid, rent eats up 71% of gross pay, closely followed by Catalonia at 70%. The Balearic Islands (64%), the Basque Country (58%), and the Canary Islands (56%) also show severe strain. At the other end, Extremadura (29%) and Castilla-La Mancha (32%) are the only regions where the share remains below 30%, though still above the 25% threshold recommended by international bodies.
Provincial data reveals even starker contrasts. Barcelona province tops the list, with rent consuming 76% of the average gross salary. Madrid province follows at 72%, then the Balearic Islands (64%), Biscay (61%), and Las Palmas and Gipuzkoa (both 57%). In contrast, Jaén (23%), Teruel (25%), Cáceres (27%), and Ciudad Real (28%) offer some relief, but only seven provinces plus Extremadura keep the figure at or below 30%.
This crisis is not just about numbers. As 61% of Spaniards see home inheritance as unattainable, the rental market becomes the only option for many, yet it remains out of reach for a growing share of the population.
María Matos, head of research and spokesperson at Fotocasa, described the situation as a “genuine housing emergency.” She noted that spending half of one’s income on rent is 20 percentage points above recommended levels, leaving little room for savings or unexpected expenses.
InfoJobs highlighted the widening gap between wage growth and housing costs. Although the average advertised gross salary rose by €276 year-on-year, this increase is insufficient to offset the sharp rise in rents. The result is constrained labour mobility, delayed life decisions such as moving out of the family home, and reduced ability to start a family.
The findings come amid broader European housing challenges. In cities like Barcelona, which recently hosted a new €10 million quantum computer, the tech boom may attract talent but also exacerbates housing demand. Meanwhile, protests against rising housing prices have become frequent across Spain, with demonstrations in Madrid and other cities calling for policy intervention.
The study’s authors warn that without significant policy changes—such as increasing housing supply, regulating rental markets, or boosting wage growth—the crisis will likely worsen. For now, the data paints a stark picture: for millions of Spaniards, the dream of affordable housing is slipping further away.
