Cost of Living in Barcelona vs Madrid

Cost of living in Barcelona is very similar to Madrid (without rent).

Rent in Barcelona is very similar to Madrid.

Cost of living including rent in Barcelona is very similar to Madrid.

Food in Barcelona is 4% more expensive than in Madrid.

Transport in Barcelona is 12% cheaper than in Madrid.

Barcelona vs. Madrid Comparision

Barcelona Madrid
Cost of Living, including rent
1,887 $
1,889 $
Without Rent
769 $
778 $
Rent & Utilities
1,118 $
1,111 $
Food
475 $
457 $
Transport
156 $
177 $
Monthly Salary, after tax
2,221 $
2,391 $
Quality of Life
88
90
Population
1.7M
3.3M

Compare other cities?

Barcelona Madrid

Restaurants

Lunch menu,
inexpensive restaurant
16.1 $ 15.3 $
Dinner, for 2 59.7 $ 58.7 $
Fast food, McDonalds or KFC 12.5 $ 11 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 4.54 $ 4.18 $
Capuccino 3.08 $ 2.93 $
Coke, 330ml 2.61 $ 2.83 $

Markets

Milk, 1 L or 1 qt 1.17 $ 1.19 $
Bread, 0.5 kg or 1 lb 1.61 $ 1.5 $
Rice, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.64 $ 1.51 $
Eggs, 12 pack 3.41 $ 3.24 $
Cheese, 1 kg or 2 lb 17.4 $ 15.1 $
Chicken Breast, 1 kg or 2 lb 9.3 $ 8.47 $
Round Steak, 1 kg or 2 lb 19 $ 15.4 $
Apples, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.43 $ 2.61 $
Banana, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.04 $ 2.01 $
Oranges, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.29 $ 2.2 $
Potatoes, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.79 $ 1.85 $
Onions, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.87 $ 1.82 $
Water, 1 L or 1 qt 0.58 $ 0.62 $
Coca-Cola / Pepsi, 2 L or 67.6 fl oz 2.28 $ 2.22 $
Wine, 750 mL bottle 8.2 $ 7.49 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 1.36 $ 1.3 $
Cigarette pack 6.07 $ 6.16 $

Transport

Local transport ticket, One-way Ticket 2.85 $ 1.65 $
Monthly pass, Monthly Ticket 28.1 $ 45.3 $
Gas or petrol, 1 L or 0.26 gal 1.88 $ 1.85 $
Taxi, 8 km 19.5 $ 15.1 $

Personal Care

Doctor visit, private clinic 65.4 $ 67.3 $
Cold medicine, for 1 week 7.01 $ 9.3 $
Hair shampoo, 400 ml or 12 oz 3.76 $ 3.59 $
Toilet paper, 4 rolls 2.37 $ 2.4 $
Toothpaste, 1 tube 2.59 $ 2.71 $

Utilities per Month

Utility bill - 1 person,
electricity, heating, water & garbage
109 $ 98 $
Utility bill - family,
electricity, heating, water & garbage
168 $ 152 $
Internet plan,
+60 Mbps
35.6 $ 33.1 $

Rent per Month

1 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 40 sq.m 915 $ 911 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 85 sq.m 1,482 $ 1,526 $
1 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 40 sq.m 1,205 $ 1,256 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 85 sq.m 2,081 $ 2,211 $

Buy Apartment Price

Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment, in city center 6,469 $ 6,496 $
Price per Square Meter to Buy House, in suburbs 4,528 $ 4,015 $

Salaries and Financing

Average Monthly Net Salary, after tax 2,221 $ 2,391 $
Mortgage Interest Rate, for 20 years fixed-rate 3.48 % 3.68 %

Sports and Leisure

Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult 49 $ 47.2 $
Cinema, 1 seat 10.4 $ 11.5 $
Haircut 20.8 $ 21.5 $

Clothing and Shoes

Brand Sneakers, mid-range, Nike or similar 97.5 $ 96.9 $
Brand Jeans, Levis 501 82.7 $ 89.1 $

Childcare

Preschool, full day, monthly for 1 child 652 $ 585 $
International Primary School, yearly for 1 child 11,932 $ 10,462 $