Business · Economy · 6 hrs ago
Homes cost more than raising a child in Spain’s biggest cities
In Madrid, Barcelona and Palma, buying an average flat costs more than raising a child until they leave home.
Raisin estimates that raising a child to adulthood in Madrid costs €346,586, while an average 83-square-metre flat costs about €540,000; the gap is smaller but still substantial in Palma and Barcelona.
This comparison does not hold across Spain: in Puertollano, an average home costs far less than raising a child.
The figures reflect a housing crisis alongside very low birth numbers: Spain recorded its fewest births since 1941 in 2024, despite a slight rise the following year.
Home prices have risen much faster than wages, and the upfront payment is a major barrier: a typical Madrid flat requires about €162,000 for savings and buying costs.
A couple earning average wages and saving 20% of their income would take nearly 14 years to gather that amount.
High housing costs can delay moving out and starting a family, and mortgage payments can leave households with little room for child-raising costs.
A typical 83-square-metre home in Madrid costs about 540,000 euros, 56% more than the estimated cost of raising a child until adulthood.
Homes of the same size cost about 33% more than raising a child in Palma and 31% more in Barcelona.
The comparison does not apply across Spain: in Puertollano, a home costs about one-sixth of the estimated cost of raising a child.
Rising home prices and the savings needed for a down payment make buying difficult, while housing access can delay independence and decisions to start a family.
Spanish home prices have risen much faster than average salaries in recent years.
- Who
- People seeking to buy homes or raise children in Spain, especially in major cities.
- What
- A comparison finds that typical homes in Madrid, Palma and Barcelona cost more than the estimated expense of raising a child until adulthood.
- When
- The article was published on 23 October 2026. Home-price figures are reported for October.
- Where
- Madrid, Palma and Barcelona; the article also compares prices with Puertollano.
- Why
- High housing prices, slow salary growth and the savings required to buy a home can make it difficult to become a homeowner and start a family.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The period begins over which Fotocasa says Spanish home-sale prices rose 69%.
Spain recorded its lowest number of births since 1941, according to the article.
Spanish home-sale prices were nearing a record, at 3,158 euros per square metre, according to Fotocasa.
El Mundo published the comparison of home prices and child-raising costs.
- Madrid home
- About 540,000 euros for an 83-square-metre apartment
- Cost to raise a child
- 346,586 euros until the child becomes independent, according to Raisin
- Palma home
- About 461,000 euros for an 83-square-metre home
- Barcelona home
- About 454,000 euros for an 83-square-metre home
- Spanish home prices
- 3,158 euros per square metre in October, according to Fotocasa
- Madrid down payment and costs
- About 162,000 euros for an average apartment
What people are saying
Two average salaries may make it possible to pay a mortgage, but that does not mean they make it possible to get one.
The main obstacle is raising the down payment, meeting purchase costs and keeping enough financial reserves to raise a child.
Some households could afford a monthly mortgage payment, but cannot become homeowners.