Catalan households allocate 43.5% of their income to basic expenses

BarcelonaCatalan households allocate 43.5 out of every 100 euros of their income to basic expenses, such as housing, groceries, and energy consumption (electricity, water, and fuel). This amount, which represents an average of 1,342 euros per month, is part of the third Planeta Propietario Barometer.The analysis, prepared by the Mutual Association of Property Owners, reveals the highest figure since the study began. It shows that household bills, which consume a significant portion of the minimum wage (SMI) – €1,184 per month last year – mean that 3 out of 10 Catalans have difficulty paying for these basic expenses. Households where the family depends on a single minimum wage earner must allocate more than their entire net income to basic expenses, leaving no room for savings or unexpected costs. However, Catalonia is not the autonomous community where basic expenses consume the largest share of income. Ahead of them are the Balearic Islands, with 50.1%, Andalusia (49%), the Canary Islands (47.9%), and the Community of Madrid (46.2%), according to the same study, based on interviews and questions posed to 2,339 men and women over 18 years of age, distributed across autonomous communities according to their weight in the total. Housing, which limits rents in high-demand areas, is a key factor.

The average amount spent on essential expenses in Catalonia (excluding streaming services like Movistar or Netflix) is the second highest among Spain's autonomous communities, surpassed only by the Community of Madrid by about €42, reaching €1,384 per month. The Balearic Islands are third, with €1,260. In both cases, this exceeds the national average of €1,230. However, the proportion of income spent on basic expenses in Catalonia varies considerably depending on the type of household. In low-income households, it represents over 98%; in large families, 57.7%; and in single-person households, 47.2%. It also depends on the type of housing: in homes up to 60 square meters, it represents 53.9%, and in older homes (built before 1964), 48.3%. For renters, it's 61.6%.

More rent than mortgage payment

Housing is the main expense for Catalan households, with a monthly average of €704.27. Rent stands out, averaging €716.36, which is higher than the average mortgage payment of €695. Barcelona is above this average, at €739. It is followed by Girona (€639.76), Lleida (€585.89), and Tarragona (€565.48).

The evolution of the Euribor, the benchmark for variable-rate mortgages, has lowered monthly payments, but this trend is slowing. We are already heading towards an increase in the cost not only of these loans but also of fixed-interest loans, which are currently the most commonly taken out.And all this combined with an unstoppable rise in housing prices, both for sale and rent.

"The financial burden associated with living in and maintaining a home continues to grow and reduces families' financial security, forcing them to prioritize and adjust their spending decisions," according to Laura Mulà, Multichannel and Customer Director at Mutua de Propietarios.

The next largest expense is the grocery basket, averaging €456.21 in Catalonia. Girona leads the way with €465.10, followed by Barcelona with €460.09, Tarragona (€429.89), and Lleida (€441.21). Water, electricity, and fuel bills average €181.65. These expenses weigh most heavily in Girona, at €235.86. Lleida (€211.25) and Tarragona (€197.57) follow, while in Barcelona the figure is €169.88.

This trend aligns with the weighting of the different components in the Household Budget Survey conducted by the National Institute of Statistics (INE). For 2024, the latest year for which data is available, housing-related expenses accounted for 34.04% of household budgets in Catalonia. The national average was 32.04%, according to the source.

Young people and renters

The authors of the barometer highlight that households are currently "less willing to make sacrifices, but more adaptable in their daily consumption, which anticipates a shift in the climate: fewer visible cutbacks and more silent adjustments integrated into daily routines." One example is the trend of buying store brands and fewer fresh products to lower the cost of groceries. At 16%, this option—resorting to store brands—becomes the second most cited behavior by those surveyed. This, according to the authors, reveals "a shift from economic restraint to everyday consumption, which is perceived as less costly in terms of immediate well-being." The same percentage are choosing to postpone improvements and renovations; 15% are opting to cut their electricity, water, or fuel consumption, reduce the cost of home insurance, or postpone the purchase of furniture and other household items.

The main traditional savings measures—such as not buying household items, cutting energy consumption, or postponing some home improvements or repairs—show clear declines compared to 2024 (between 3 and 4 points) and consolidate a downward trend that began after the highs of 202.

"We are seeing a shift in how people save, with fewer one-off cuts and more adjustments to daily life, which, accumulated, attempt to alleviate the economic pressure and uncertainty felt by many families," concludes Mulà.