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Cost of Living Comparison (2026)
Barcelona is 5% cheaper than Madrid
| Lifestyle | 🇪🇸 Madrid | 🇪🇸 Barcelona | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | $1,350/mo | $1,400/mo | +4% |
| Moderate | $1,900/mo | $2,000/mo | +5% |
| Comfortable | $2,850/mo | $3,000/mo | +5% |
Estimates for a single person. Based on World Bank PPP data and national statistics.
| Category | 🇪🇸 Madrid | 🇪🇸 Barcelona | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (1-bed, center) | $1,700/mo | $1,750/mo | +3% |
| Groceries & Food | $380/mo | $400/mo | +5% |
| Dining Out | $260/mo | $260/mo | 0% |
| Transport | $55/mo | $52/mo | -5% |
| Utilities & Internet | $190/mo | $200/mo | +5% |
| Healthcare | $152/mo | $160/mo | +5% |
| Leisure & Personal | $133/mo | $140/mo | +5% |
Sources: INE (Spain), Eurostat / INE (Spain), Eurostat. Updated Jan 2026.
| Item | 🇪🇸 Madrid | 🇪🇸 Barcelona | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loaf of bread (500g) | $1 | $1 | +8% |
| Milk (1 liter) | $1 | $1 | +6% |
| Eggs (12) | $3 | $3 | +4% |
| Chicken breast (1 kg) | $7 | $7 | +3% |
| Rice (1 kg) | $1 | $1 | +8% |
| Apples (1 kg) | $2 | $2 | +5% |
| Tomatoes (1 kg) | $2 | $2 | +10% |
| Cheese, local (1 kg) | $10 | $11 | +5% |
| Item | 🇪🇸 Madrid | 🇪🇸 Barcelona | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lunch menu (menú del día) | $13 | $13 | +4% |
| Fast food combo meal | $9 | $9 | 0% |
| Cappuccino | $2 | $2 | +10% |
| Beer (0.5L, restaurant) | $4 | $4 | +13% |
| Beer (0.5L, store) | $1 | $1 | +22% |
| Water (0.33L, restaurant) | $2 | $2 | +7% |
| Item | 🇪🇸 Madrid | 🇪🇸 Barcelona | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment, center | $1,100 | $1,200 | +9% |
| 1-bedroom apartment, outside | $800 | $850 | +6% |
| 3-bedroom apartment, center | $2,000 | $2,100 | +5% |
| 3-bedroom apartment, outside | $1,400 | $1,500 | +7% |
| Item | 🇪🇸 Madrid | 🇪🇸 Barcelona | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly transit pass | $60 | $45 | -25% |
| Taxi start (normal tariff) | $4 | $4 | 0% |
| Taxi per km | $1 | $1 | 0% |
| Gasoline (1 liter) | $2 | $2 | +3% |
| Item | 🇪🇸 Madrid | 🇪🇸 Barcelona | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity, water, garbage (85m²) | $125 | $130 | +4% |
| Internet (60+ Mbps) | $35 | $38 | +9% |
| Mobile plan (10GB+) | $19 | $20 | +5% |
| Item | 🇪🇸 Madrid | 🇪🇸 Barcelona | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pair of jeans (Levi's) | $78 | $82 | +5% |
| Summer dress (Zara/H&M) | $30 | $33 | +10% |
| Running shoes (Nike/Adidas) | $85 | $87 | +2% |
| Item | 🇪🇸 Madrid | 🇪🇸 Barcelona | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gym membership (monthly) | $42 | $45 | +7% |
| Cinema ticket | $10 | $10 | +5% |
| Tennis court (1 hr) | $13 | $14 | +8% |
| Item | 🇪🇸 Madrid | 🇪🇸 Barcelona | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haircut (men) | $14 | $16 | +14% |
| Shampoo (400ml) | $4 | $4 | +7% |
Explore more: Madrid city guide | Barcelona city guide | Spain