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Cost of Living Comparison (2026)
Similar cost of living in both cities
| Lifestyle | 🇮🇹 Rome | 🇪🇸 Barcelona | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | $1,400/mo | $1,400/mo | 0% |
| Moderate | $2,000/mo | $2,000/mo | 0% |
| Comfortable | $3,000/mo | $3,000/mo | 0% |
Estimates for a single person. Based on World Bank PPP data and national statistics.
| Category | 🇮🇹 Rome | 🇪🇸 Barcelona | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (1-bed, center) | $1,100/mo | $1,750/mo | +59% |
| Groceries & Food | $400/mo | $400/mo | 0% |
| Dining Out | $240/mo | $260/mo | +8% |
| Transport | $38/mo | $52/mo | +37% |
| Utilities & Internet | $200/mo | $200/mo | 0% |
| Healthcare | $160/mo | $160/mo | 0% |
| Leisure & Personal | $140/mo | $140/mo | 0% |
Sources: ISTAT (Italy), Eurostat / INE (Spain), Eurostat. Updated Jan 2026.
| Item | 🇮🇹 Rome | 🇪🇸 Barcelona | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loaf of bread (500g) | $1 | $1 | 0% |
| Milk (1 liter) | $1 | $1 | -27% |
| Eggs (12) | $3 | $3 | -18% |
| Chicken breast (1 kg) | $9 | $7 | -22% |
| Mozzarella (125g) | $1 | $1 | +8% |
| Item | 🇮🇹 Rome | 🇪🇸 Barcelona | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pizza margherita | $9 | $13 | +49% |
| Pasta primo (trattoria) | $11 | $9 | -20% |
| Espresso (bar) | $1 | $2 | +69% |
| Cappuccino | $2 | $4 | +153% |
| Beer (0.5L, restaurant) | $5 | $1 | -80% |
| Item | 🇮🇹 Rome | 🇪🇸 Barcelona | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment, center (Trastevere) | $1,100 | $1,200 | +9% |
| 1-bedroom apartment, outside | $750 | $850 | +13% |
| 3-bedroom apartment, center | $2,100 | $2,100 | 0% |
| 3-bedroom apartment, outside | $1,300 | $1,500 | +15% |
| Item | 🇮🇹 Rome | 🇪🇸 Barcelona | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly transit pass (ATAC) | $38 | $45 | +18% |
| Gasoline (1 liter) | $2 | $4 | +79% |
| Item | 🇮🇹 Rome | 🇪🇸 Barcelona | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity, water, garbage (85m²) | $170 | $130 | -24% |
| Internet (60+ Mbps) | $28 | $38 | +36% |
| Item | 🇮🇹 Rome | 🇪🇸 Barcelona | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gym membership (monthly) | $40 | $45 | +13% |
| Cinema ticket | $10 | $10 | 0% |
| Item | 🇮🇹 Rome | 🇪🇸 Barcelona | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haircut (men) | $16 | $16 | 0% |
Explore more: Rome city guide | Barcelona city guide | Italy | Spain