By Katie-Ann Gupwell
A holidaymaker has been left astounded by the cost of living in Tenerife , taking to TikTok to express his disbelief at the striking price differences he encountered when compared to shopping back home. The man, identified on the platform as deebolar, shared his experiences after just a day in Tenerife, observing that the cost of everyday items was significantly lower than in the UK. He expressed this sentiment by proclaiming: “I’ve been here for 24 hours, and this supermarket is my best friend, bro. For context, €1 is 85p, so you’re seeing €1 here for like two plus litres of Fanta, Coke, 7up. “I mean, it’s off-brand, but who gives a toss? It’s like 70p/80p – those bottles are like 50p. And eight litres of water for €1.50 – that’s like £1.20, bro. “[The] UK is not seeing me again, that might be six Desperados for €1.71. It might be one as well, I ain’t got a clue. Anyways, look at this, eight litres of water, two litres of Fanta, look at the price – €2.39.” While showcasing several items, he further added, “Everything on this table, probably like £5 or £6 at most. I’m telling you, it’s nuts.” The video, which struck a chord with viewers, was aptly captioned: “I have to go back to the cost of living crisis after this”, igniting much discussion online. Yet some commenters felt compelled to share some critical insights with him. One individual lamented: “Canary Islands have the lowest salary of Spain. This isn’t the paradise you think. Our rents are more than half our salary.” Another expressed frustration, saying: “Cheap for you. Unfortunately, Spanish salaries are every day lower because we pay more taxes and prices are increasing.” A third chimed in with a broader perspective, adding: “Nowhere is objectively cheap in this world. What is cheap for you might be expensive for the locals. This applies everywhere.” Curiosity from another was evident as they inquired: “Which supermarket is this? Going next week.” Meanwhile, a fifth person also wrote: “UK is expensive. Spain is cheaper, always.” EasyFX highlights that some Brits find Tenerife an attractive option compared to the UK, citing the cost of living as a compelling reason to relocate. It notes: “On average, rent in Tenerife is considerably cheaper than in the UK. “A one-bedroom apartment in the island’s capital, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, typically costs between €500 and €700 (£415 – £580) per month, compared to the £1,200 to £1,500 minimum you would have to spend to rent an apartment in London, for example. “Like most places in Europe, the cost of renting in Tenerife will vary depending on the location and property type you decide on. Popular areas like Santa Cruz, and La Laguna and tourist hotspots such as Los Cristianos and Costa Adeje tend to have higher rental prices. “For those who prefer to cook at home, Tenerife’s grocery prices are another highlight and much more affordable than the UK. Supermarkets such as Mercadona, Hiperdino and Lidl, offer competitive prices, while local markets provide fresh produce and regional specialties at great rates. “Shopping at farmer’s markets throughout Tenerife can yield even fresher produce at lower prices, making it an attractive option if you want to stick to a budget without compromising on quality.” In the meantime, the average salary in Tenerife is believed to be around €32,239 (£27,849.18) annually, with skilled professions like healthcare, education and technical fields generally earning between €1,500 (£1,295.75) and €2,000 (£1,727.63) per month. Despite wages in the Canary Islands having seen significant growth since 1978, they are still reportedly below the Spanish national average.