Bilbao vs Athlone: Which City Wins for Expats in 2026?
Athlone costs roughly 68% less than Bilbao. Bilbao leads on digital nomad infrastructure, with faster average internet speeds. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Bilbao is approximately 19% less expensive than Athlone based on cost of living including rent. This makes Bilbao a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Bilbao has a FIRE Score of 77/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 85, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Bilbao is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
About Bilbao
Bilbao is a quietly excellent pick for expats who want a real city without big-capital prices, and a 54/100 cost of living index against an average monthly net salary of $2,394/mo tells you the math mostly works. Rent is the catch: $1,260/mo for a one-bedroom in the center is steep for a metro of 352 thousand, though moving outside the center drops it to $1,042/mo and a three-bedroom from $2,430/mo to $1,709/mo. Pair that with a safety index of 85/100, excellent healthcare, and a $50/mo transport pass, and you get a compact, walkable city that rewards anyone earning remotely or on a digital nomad visa.
About Spain
Retirees and remote workers get a genuine European base without the Northern Europe price tag: rent for a 1-bed outside the center averages $804/mo, well under NYC costs. Healthcare scores 77.3, life expectancy is among the highest in the EU, and a large expat community softens the medium English proficiency. The catch is tax: standard rates climb to 47%, though the Beckham Law flat 24% option changes the math for qualifying newcomers.
$200/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
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About Athlone
Athlone is a small town with a big-town cost of living: $1,498/mo for a city-center one-bedroom against an average net salary of $3,178/mo means rent eats nearly half your paycheck before you buy a single $22 restaurant meal. The upside is real, with a 90/100 safety index, a 10/100 crime index, and excellent healthcare, plus Shannon airport just 20 km away. Digital nomads get the weakest deal here at 77/100, and retirees chasing Ireland Stamp 0 need $4,350/mo in income, more than the comfortable tier of $4,300/mo. Come for the calm and the English-speaking convenience, but do the rent math first.
About Ireland
A city center 1BR at $1,776.90 a month rivals rents in Boston or DC, with no digital nomad visa available. Retirees need USD 4,350/mo proof of income, a real barrier at 20-40% progressive tax plus PRSI and USC. English fluency and a clear citizenship path help, but the math only works if your retirement income clears that bar comfortably.
$-200/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
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| Metric | Bilbao | Athlone |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $1259.7 | $1497.65 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $1042.47 | $1371.68 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $2429.83 | $2573.53 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $1709.46 | $2261.87 |
| Safety Index | 85 | 90 |
| Internet Speed | 150Mbps | 85Mbps |
| Walkability Score | N/A | N/A |
Monthly cost by categoryOne person, computed from each city's own average prices
| Category | Bilbao | Athlone |
|---|---|---|
| Total (rent included) | N/A | $2,247/mo |
| Excluding rent | N/A | $875/mo |
| Rent | N/A | $1,372/mo |
| Groceries | N/A | $207/mo |
| Dining out | N/A | $224/mo |
| Entertainment & lifestyle | N/A | $133/mo |
| Utilities & connectivity | N/A | $311/mo |
| Transport | N/A | N/A |
Usage-based estimates from this city's own average prices. A row marked N/A means that city is missing data, so no figure is shown instead of a stale one.
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Bilbao vs Athlone -- Frequently Asked Questions
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