In a nutshell: Living well in Benidorm on £1,000 a month (≈ €1,175 at June 2025 rates) is still doable—if you rent a modest flat (or share), cook at home more than you dine out, ride the unlimited "Eco" bus card, and keep utilities in check. Expect to trade a Levante-front penthouse for an inland barrio, but you'll still wake up to 300-plus sunny days, 2-euro cortados and sandy beaches. Here's how the numbers stack up and the smartest ways to hit the target.

Want more Benidorm cost-cutters, secret tapas finds and expat hacks?

🎯 Join 5,000+ savvy readers—subscribe to Costa Navigator and never miss a money-saving tip.

1. Converting The Budget

• Mid-2025 interbank rate hovers around €1.175 = £1.

  A £1,000 cap therefore gives you roughly €1,175 to play with each month.

2. Monthly Cost Breakdown

Category	Typical Spend (€)	Reality Check
Rent (1-bed out of prime zones or shared flat)	600	One-bed listings start from €550 but can top €1,600 on Poniente seafront.
Utilities (elec 85-100 + water 20 + rubbish 10)	120	Spain's 2025 electric bill averages €85-€100.
Fibre-optic Internet (600 Mbps)	30	Vodafone's 600 Mbps plan advertises €30 p/m.
Mobile SIM (20 GB)	15	Low-cost MVNOs hover €10-€20.
Groceries & cooking at home	220	Food CPI up 18% since 2021; Mercadona lowering prices but basket still climbing.
Eating & drinking out	120	Tapas contest price-capped at €3.50; pints in expat bars still €2-€3.
Local transport	45	30-day EcoCard €40.40 unlimited buses.
Healthcare / private insurance	60	Typical expat plan €50-€100 p/m.
Leisure & buffer	65	Allows one €20 cowork day pass & odd day-trip.

Total: ≈ €1,175 / £1,000

3. Accommodation Hacks

Where £1,000 Works

• Rincón de Loix Alto, Pueblo Levante or La Cala Finestrat: one-beds from €550-€700 if you sign 11-month contracts or look outside August.
• Shared three-bed around Old Town can drop personal rent to €350-€400. Numbeo pegs a room in shared flat at €360 median.

Negotiation Tips

• Off-season advantage: October to March brings 15-20% rental discounts
• Longer contracts: 11-month leases often cheaper than monthly rates
• Avoid tourist zones: Inland neighborhoods offer better value

4. Food & Dining Strategy

Cooking at Home (€220/month)

• Mercadona basics: Rice, pasta, tinned tomatoes, olive oil
• Local markets: Fresh fish and vegetables at fraction of restaurant prices
• Bulk buying: Share larger packages with flatmates

Strategic Dining Out (€120/month)

• Menú del día: 3-course meals with wine for €10-12
• Tapas Alley: Calle Santo Domingo for €2 drinks with free tapas
• Happy hours: Many bars offer 2-for-1 before 19:00

5. Transport & Getting Around

EcoCard (€40.40/month)

• Unlimited bus travel throughout Benidorm
• Includes Lines 30 & 31 (tourist bus routes)
• No need for taxis for most destinations

The Verdict

Yes, you can live in Benidorm for £1,000/month - but it requires smart choices:

✅ Choose location wisely - avoid prime beachfront areas ✅ Cook most meals - but enjoy the occasional menú del día ✅ Use public transport - EcoCard covers everything ✅ Share accommodation - cuts costs dramatically

The lifestyle trade-offs are minimal when you consider year-round sunshine, affordable healthcare, and a vibrant expat community. Many find the slower pace and lower stress levels more than compensate for the smaller living space.

Ready to Make the Move?

Subscribe to Costa Navigator for weekly updates on rental listings, cost-of-living changes, and expat community events. Turn your Benidorm dream into reality with insider knowledge.