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Cost of Living Comparison (2026)
Amsterdam is 20% cheaper than Barcelona
| Lifestyle | 🇳🇱 Amsterdam | 🇪🇸 Barcelona | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | $1,750/mo | $1,400/mo | -20% |
| Moderate | $2,500/mo | $2,000/mo | -20% |
| Comfortable | $3,750/mo | $3,000/mo | -20% |
Estimates for a single person. Based on World Bank PPP data and national statistics.
| Category | 🇳🇱 Amsterdam | 🇪🇸 Barcelona | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (1-bed, center) | $2,250/mo | $1,750/mo | -22% |
| Groceries & Food | $500/mo | $400/mo | -20% |
| Dining Out | $300/mo | $260/mo | -13% |
| Transport | $100/mo | $52/mo | -48% |
| Utilities & Internet | $250/mo | $200/mo | -20% |
| Healthcare | $200/mo | $160/mo | -20% |
| Leisure & Personal | $175/mo | $140/mo | -20% |
Sources: CBS (Netherlands), Eurostat / INE (Spain), Eurostat. Updated Jan 2026.
| Item | 🇳🇱 Amsterdam | 🇪🇸 Barcelona | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loaf of bread (500g) | $2 | $1 | -22% |
| Milk (1 liter) | $1 | $1 | -21% |
| Eggs (12) | $3 | $3 | -16% |
| Chicken breast (1 kg) | $9 | $7 | -22% |
| Rice (1 kg) | $2 | $1 | -41% |
| Apples (1 kg) | $3 | $2 | -23% |
| Tomatoes (1 kg) | $3 | $2 | -18% |
| Cheese, local (1 kg) | $11 | $11 | -5% |
| Item | 🇳🇱 Amsterdam | 🇪🇸 Barcelona | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lunch menu (business district) | $15 | $13 | -14% |
| Fast food combo meal | $10 | $9 | -13% |
| Cappuccino | $4 | $2 | -42% |
| Beer (0.5L, restaurant) | $5 | $4 | -20% |
| Beer (0.5L, store) | $1 | $1 | -15% |
| Item | 🇳🇱 Amsterdam | 🇪🇸 Barcelona | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment, center | $1,700 | $1,200 | -29% |
| 1-bedroom apartment, outside | $1,200 | $850 | -29% |
| 3-bedroom apartment, center | $2,800 | $2,100 | -25% |
| 3-bedroom apartment, outside | $2,000 | $1,500 | -25% |
| Item | 🇳🇱 Amsterdam | 🇪🇸 Barcelona | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly transit pass (GVB) | $105 | $45 | -57% |
| Taxi start | $3 | $4 | +6% |
| Taxi per km | $2 | $1 | -50% |
| Gasoline (1 liter) | $2 | $2 | -20% |
| Item | 🇳🇱 Amsterdam | 🇪🇸 Barcelona | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity, water, garbage (85m²) | $220 | $130 | -41% |
| Internet (60+ Mbps) | $42 | $38 | -10% |
| Mobile plan (10GB+) | $16 | $20 | +25% |
| Item | 🇳🇱 Amsterdam | 🇪🇸 Barcelona | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pair of jeans (Levi's) | $90 | $82 | -9% |
| Running shoes (Nike/Adidas) | $95 | $33 | -65% |
| Item | 🇳🇱 Amsterdam | 🇪🇸 Barcelona | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gym membership (monthly) | $38 | $45 | +18% |
| Cinema ticket | $14 | $10 | -29% |
| Item | 🇳🇱 Amsterdam | 🇪🇸 Barcelona | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haircut (men) | $25 | $16 | -36% |
Explore more: Amsterdam city guide | Barcelona city guide | Netherlands | Spain