The cost of living in Barcelona draws expats worldwide, although it sits firmly above Madrid on the expense scale. Gaudí’s Sagrada Família and Park Güell pull in millions annually, and FC Barcelona’s Camp Nou is a major draw. Barcelona has a world-class reputation for its food. Yet all this comes at a price that demands careful budgeting.
That said, the average salary in Barcelona is generally sufficient to cover the cost of living, although it tends to be lower than in some other European capitals.
Cost of accommodation in Barcelona
Rental prices in Barcelona swing wildly depending on your chosen barrio. Eixample and Gràcia command premium rates, and Poblenou and Sant Antoni offer better value. The rental market holds the unwelcome distinction of being Spain’s priciest, with an 80 percent surge over the past decade creating a genuine housing crunch. Flatshares are widely available and are considerably cheaper than renting a single-bedroom apartment.
Living outside the city centre in areas such as the Nou Barris district and Horta-Guinardó is more affordable. Fortunately, utilities in Barcelona are generally reasonably priced.
Accommodation in Barcelona
Best Neighbourhoods in Barcelona
Cost of transport in Barcelona
Public transport in Barcelona is both efficient and affordable. The T-mobilitat integrated ticket allows you to get across the city using buses, trains, and the metro.
Buying a car requires an NIE number and proof of address, and the process involves dealing with the country’s infamous bureaucracy and paying an annual road tax, all of which typically deters expats from owning cars.
Cost of groceries in Barcelona
If you like to cook, note that certain groceries, such as meat and cheese, can be quite expensive. Be that as it may, given that Spain is one of Europe’s leading fruit and vegetable exporters, you can expect to pay less for fresh produce in Barcelona than in many other European cities. Save money by shopping at affordable chains like Lidl and Mercadona.
Cost of entertainment and eating out in Barcelona
Barcelona is famous for its buzzing nightlife, but it isn’t cheap. Drinks at a pub or club in the more affluent areas can be pricey. Attractions such as the theatre and cinema are also fairly expensive in Barcelona.
The city’s food scene caters to diners from all income brackets, and expats can find a restaurant or eatery to enjoy well within their budget. Barcelona is a foodie’s dream, and its 35 Michelin-starred restaurants speak to the city’s strong food culture. The streets are chock-full of eateries and restaurants for every price point.
While health and fitness clubs in the city’s business district tend to be costly, expats may want to consider visiting Barcelona’s idyllic Mediterranean beaches and leafy parks to keep fit.
Shopping, Attractions, and Activities in Barcelona
Cost of education in Barcelona
Education in Barcelona caters for the city’s international crowd in various ways. State schools teach predominantly in Catalan, offering free tuition but at the cost of a language hurdle for expat families. Books and materials add modest costs to the equation.
International schools in Barcelona hog the expat education scene. These schools typically feature smaller class sizes and extensive extracurricular programmes, although these come with substantial fees. There are American and British schools offering their home countries’ curricula, and several institutions offer the International Baccalaureate programme.
Education and Schools in Barcelona
Best International Schools in Barcelona
Cost of healthcare in Barcelona
Barcelona’s healthcare system is an example of the high standards of care available in Spain across both public and private sectors. The public healthcare system is funded through social security contributions, and it ensures residents can access most healthcare services at little to no direct cost. There are minimal fees for prescription charges.
Some expats opt for private health insurance to bypass waiting times and access a broader range of services. For instance, dental care for adults is not typically covered by the public system.
Healthcare and Health Insurance in Barcelona
Cost of living in Barcelona chart
Prices may vary across the city, depending on the product and service provider. The list below shows average prices for Barcelona in July 2025.
Accommodation (monthly rent) | |
Three-bedroom apartment in the city centre | EUR 2,350 |
Three-bedroom apartment outside the city centre | EUR 1,950 |
One-bedroom apartment in the city centre | EUR 1,350 |
One-bedroom apartment outside the city centre | EUR 1,100 |
Shopping | |
Eggs (dozen) | EUR 3.10 |
Milk (1 litre) | EUR 1.10 |
Rice (1kg) | EUR 1.55 |
Loaf of white bread | EUR 1.45 |
Chicken breasts (1kg) | EUR 8.25 |
Cheese (500g) | EUR 16.45 |
Eating out | |
Three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant | EUR 55 |
Big Mac Meal | EUR 12.65 |
Coca-Cola (330ml) | EUR 1.40 |
Cappuccino | EUR 3.15 |
Local beer (500ml) | EUR 3.50 |
Utilities | |
Mobile phone monthly plan with calls and data | EUR 19.50 |
Internet (uncapped ADSL or cable – average per month) | EUR 45 |
Basic utilities (average per month for a standard household) | EUR 150 |
Transport | |
Taxi rate (per kilometre) | EUR 2.10 |
Bus/train fare in the city centre | EUR 2.50 |
Gasoline/petrol (per litre) | EUR 1.60 |
What do expats say about the cost of living in Barcelona?
"Despite being the most expensive city in Spain, Barcelona is still cheaper than Southern California. Coffee, beer and wine are all significantly less. Restaurants are similar in price, except the price you see is the price you pay! No extra taxes or 'mandatory' tipping culture like in the US. Most expenses are less as well, including transportation, phone service and healthcare."
Read more in our expat interview about Barcelona with Chase and learn more about his experience in the city.
"Living in Spain is way more affordable than living in Germany. I especially enjoy the prices of fresh fruit and vegetables. However, I was quite surprised by how high the rents in Barcelona are compared to what people earn here."
Read more about Vicki's expat experience in her expat interview on living in Barcelona.
"People have this perception of Spain being a cheap country, but I don’t think this is necessarily true. At least not in Barcelona. I do think that basic groceries and restaurants/bars are cheaper than in The Netherlands. But housing is definitely very expensive, both for renting and buying. Taxes on income and property are pretty high and gas, light and electricity is way more expensive than back in my hometown. Although, I’ve been told that these prices vary by region."
Read about Linda's experience in Spain in her expat interview about Barcelona.
Further reading
►For more on the living expenses in the country, check out Cost of Living in Spain
►Read Banking, Money and Taxes in Spain to learn more about expat financial matters in the country
Are you an expat living in Barcelona?
Expat Arrivals is looking for locals to contribute to this guide, and answer forum questions from others planning their move to Barcelona. Please contact us if you'd like to contribute, or fill in our expat interview form to be featured.
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