Cost of Living in Barcelona, Spain

Showing Barcelona. Change city above.

Housing:€1,307•Utilities:€215•Transport:€40See full breakdown
🏖️About Barcelona

Barcelona combines Mediterranean lifestyle with cosmopolitan energy, offering beaches, architecture, and a thriving tech scene. Housing costs are high but competitive with other major European cities.

🏘️

Neighborhoods

Eixample
€€€€
Gràcia
€€€
Poblenou
€€€
Poble Sec
€€
Sants
€€
Nou Barris
€
Outskirts
€
💰

Money-saving tips

Use the T-10 transport card (€10.20) for 10 journeys across all transport modes

Shop at local markets like La Boqueria for fresh, affordable produce

Take advantage of free cultural events and museum nights

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Rent overview

Barcelona city center studios average €1,100-1,600, with 1-bedroom apartments ranging €1,400-2,000. Eixample and Gràcia offer good value.

👥

Best for

Digital nomads and remote workers seeking work-life balance

Creative professionals drawn to the city's design and art scene

Beach lovers who want urban amenities with coastal access

Barcelona is about 4% cheaper than Madrid overall. Biggest deltas: housing, transport, utilities.

Preferences

Household

Household Type

Home & Getting Around

Housing Location

Apartment Size

Transportation Type

Lifestyle

Groceries

Dining Habits

Entertainment

Shopping

Healthcare

Last updated: Apr 2025 • Sources: INE, municipal transport, listings

Monthly Expenses in Barcelona

€2,437

All monthly expenses will be converted to selected currency

* These monthly expenses estimates are based on city averages and may vary for a single person or family based on lifestyle choices, housing location preferences (city center vs outskirts), and market conditions. Use this as a general guide for budget planning.

Housing & Living Costs Distribution

Monthly Living Costs Breakdown

Detailed Monthly Costs in Barcelona

Housing, Utilities, Transportation, Food, Entertainment & More

CategoryBarcelonaMadridDifference%
Housing€1,307€1,371€64-4.6%
Utilities€215€220€5-2.3%
Transportation€40€58€18-30.6%
Dining€190€202€12-5.9%
Entertainment€105€105€00.0%
Shopping€225€225€00.0%
Groceries€242€251€8-3.3%
Healthcare€0€0€00.0%
Total€2,437€2,543€106-4.2%
Export detailed cost breakdown

Rent by Location & Size

LocationStudio1-Bed3-Bed
City Center€1,000€1,307€2,190
Outside Center€750€986€1,451

Tip: City center rent in Barcelona is typically 33% higher than outside center.

Quality of Life & Living Standards

Economic Conditions
7371
2.0 points higher in Madrid
Work
8696
10.0 points higher in Barcelona
Health
9658
38.0 points higher in Madrid
Education & Skills
7255
17.0 points higher in Madrid
Leisure & Recreation
5515
40.0 points higher in Madrid
Safety & Security
3737
0.0 points higher in Madrid
Trust in Institutions
7644
32.0 points higher in Madrid
Environment
5854
4.0 points higher in Madrid
Life Satisfaction
6278
16.0 points higher in Barcelona

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Key Takeaways

  • Monthly Budget: €2,437 for a single person in Barcelona
  • Housing Share: 54% of total expenses, making it the largest cost category
  • Transportation: €40 monthly for public transport
  • Quality of Life Score: 56/100 overall
  • Cost Comparison: Barcelona is cheaper than Madrid by €106 (4%)

Frequently Asked Questions

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