Cost of Living in Tenerife: An Honest 2026 Guide

Tenerife has a reputation for being cheaper than mainland Spain and far cheaper than most of northern Europe. Broadly that is true, though the honest answer depends on how you live and which part of the island you choose. Here is a realistic breakdown from people who pay these bills every month, written by the family behind Bencomo Coliving in the north of the island.

The Short Answer

A single remote worker living comfortably in Tenerife generally spends somewhere between 1,300 and 2,200 euros a month, depending on housing and lifestyle. Live like a local in the north and you sit at the lower end. Rent a place near the southern beaches and eat out often and you climb toward the top. It is very possible to live well here for less than you would spend in Lisbon, Barcelona or Berlin.

Housing, the Biggest Variable

Housing is where budgets rise or fall. A long term rental of a one bedroom flat runs roughly 700 to 1,100 euros a month, more in the busy southern resorts and less inland or in the north. Short term and furnished rentals cost more per month and are harder to find for stays under a year. On top of rent you add electricity, water and internet, which together tend to run 100 to 180 euros a month depending on air conditioning use.

This is where coliving changes the maths. Instead of separate rent, bills, furniture and a coworking membership, you make one monthly payment that covers the room, all utilities, fast internet and a workspace. For a stay of a few weeks to a few months it often lands at a similar total or less, with none of the setup. You can see current all-inclusive pricing on our rooms page, and our coliving guide walks through how the model works.

Food and Groceries

Groceries are noticeably cheaper than in northern Europe, especially local produce, fish and Canarian staples. A weekly shop for one person runs around 40 to 60 euros if you cook at home and buy at the local markets. Local bananas, tomatoes, cheese and wine are excellent and inexpensive. Imported and branded goods cost more, so eating local saves real money.

Eating out is affordable by European standards. A menú del día, the set lunch most local places offer on weekdays, runs around 10 to 15 euros for several courses. A coffee is often under 1.50 euros. A proper dinner out with wine sits around 20 to 30 euros a head.

Transport

Public transport is cheap and decent. The island bus network, the guaguas, connects the main towns, and residents get a discount card. Many remote workers rent a car for at least part of their stay, because it opens up the island. A small rental runs roughly 200 to 400 euros a month depending on season, and fuel is cheaper than mainland Spain thanks to the islands' tax status. In a walkable town you may not need a car at all.

A Sample Monthly Budget

For a single remote worker living comfortably in the north, a realistic month looks roughly like this. Housing with bills, 800 to 1,200 euros. Groceries, 200 to 250 euros. Eating out and coffee, 150 to 250 euros. Transport, 60 to 300 euros depending on whether you rent a car. Phone, gym and extras, 80 to 150 euros. That lands most people between 1,300 and 2,150 euros, and a coliving folds most of the housing side into one predictable figure.

How to Keep It Lower

The north is generally better value than the southern resort towns. Cooking with local produce, using the set lunch menus, and staying longer to unlock monthly rates all bring the number down. Sharing a home through coliving also spreads the cost of good internet and comfortable communal space that would be expensive to set up alone.

About Bencomo

Bencomo Coliving is a warm, family-run home in the green north of Tenerife, where fast fibre, a real workspace and an easy international community come together in one simple monthly stay. It gives remote workers a place that stops feeling like a trip and starts feeling like home.

Planning a Move

Cost is only half the picture. If you are weighing an actual move rather than a visit, our guide on moving to Tenerife covers the practical steps, and the digital nomad guide covers internet and community. The easiest way to test the real cost is to come for a month and live it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Tenerife cheap to live in?
It is more affordable than most of western Europe, especially for housing and food, if you live like a local. The southern resort areas cost more than the north and the inland towns.

How much does coliving in Tenerife cost?
It varies with room type, season and length of stay, and it bundles rent, bills, internet and a workspace into one payment. Check current rates on the rooms page, since what is included matters as much as the headline number.

What is a realistic monthly budget for a digital nomad?
Most single remote workers live comfortably on 1,300 to 2,200 euros a month, with housing the main variable.

Get in touch

colivingbencomo@gmail.com

+34 679 51 39 52

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