๐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,645 in Alcorcรณn versus $2,337 in Barcelona.
๐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,453 in Alcorcรณn versus $3,468 in Barcelona.
๐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,261 in Alcorcรณn versus $4,599 in Barcelona.
๐Living in Alcorcรณn costs roughly 30% less than in Barcelona, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
๐Both cities are pricier than the global median: Alcorcรณn22% above, Barcelona74% above.
Currency
๐ฝ Eating Out
Alcorcรณn
Barcelona
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.12โฌ14.75
$17.08โฌ14.72
0.23%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$58.4โฌ50.3
$69.2โฌ59.7
-15.66%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.53โฌ9.07
$13.78โฌ11.87
-23.58%
Cappuccino
$2.11โฌ1.82
$2.76โฌ2.37
-23.55%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.00โฌ2.59
$2.79โฌ2.40
7.53%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.06โฌ1.78
$1.99โฌ1.72
3.52%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$4.42โฌ3.81
$4.36โฌ3.76
1.38%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.17โฌ3.59
$4.74โฌ4.09
-12.03%
๐ Groceries & Markets
Alcorcรณn
Barcelona
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.36โฌ1.17
$1.29โฌ1.11
5.43%
White Bread(500g)
$1.43โฌ1.23
$2.05โฌ1.77
-30.24%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.46โฌ1.26
$1.99โฌ1.71
-26.63%
Eggs
$2.68โฌ2.31
$3.39โฌ2.92
-20.94%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$17.01โฌ14.65
$18.81โฌ16.21
-9.57%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$9.00โฌ7.75
$9.36โฌ8.07
-3.85%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$16.73โฌ14.41
$19.12โฌ16.48
-12.50%
Apples(1kg)
$2.57โฌ2.22
$2.70โฌ2.32
-4.81%
Banana(1kg)
$2.23โฌ1.92
$2.34โฌ2.02
-4.70%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.45โฌ2.11
$2.12โฌ1.83
15.57%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.43โฌ2.96
$2.85โฌ2.46
20.35%
Potato(1kg)
$2.06โฌ1.77
$1.97โฌ1.70
4.57%
Onion(1kg)
$2.28โฌ1.97
$1.80โฌ1.55
26.67%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.41โฌ1.21
$1.45โฌ1.25
-2.76%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.73โฌ0.63
$0.86โฌ0.74
-15.12%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.45โฌ5.56
$6.78โฌ5.84
-4.87%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.99โฌ6.89
$7.90โฌ6.81
1.14%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.18โฌ1.02
$1.39โฌ1.20
-15.11%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.46โฌ2.12
$2.37โฌ2.04
3.80%
๐ Getting Around
Alcorcรณn
Barcelona
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.70โฌ1.46
$2.92โฌ2.52
-41.78%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$34.45โฌ29.69
$28.69โฌ24.72
20.08%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.48โฌ2.13
$4.46โฌ3.84
-44.39%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.03โฌ0.88
$2.05โฌ1.77
-49.76%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$28.46โฌ24.53
$29.55โฌ25.46
-3.69%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.81โฌ1.56
$1.82โฌ1.56
-0.55%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$38.2Kโฌ32.9K
$38.8Kโฌ33.5K
-1.60%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$30.5Kโฌ26.3K
$33.1Kโฌ28.5K
-7.77%
๐งพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Alcorcรณn
Barcelona
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$115โฌ99.4
$189โฌ163
-39.02%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$21.30โฌ18.35
$22.80โฌ19.65
-6.58%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$36.10โฌ31.10
$37.59โฌ32.39
-3.96%
๐ Sport & Entertainment
Alcorcรณn
Barcelona
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$47.91โฌ41.28
$57.7โฌ49.75
-17.02%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$15.28โฌ13.16
$20.74โฌ17.87
-26.33%
Cinema Ticket
$9.82โฌ8.46
$10.82โฌ9.33
-9.24%
๐งธ Childcare & Education
Alcorcรณn
Barcelona
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$516โฌ445
$728โฌ628
-29.13%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$8,277โฌ7,131
$14.8Kโฌ12.7K
-43.97%
๐๐ Clothing & Footwear
Alcorcรณn
Barcelona
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$74.0โฌ63.8
$88.6โฌ76.4
-16.52%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.76โฌ36.84
$36.85โฌ31.75
16.04%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$89.7โฌ77.3
$102โฌ87.9
-12.10%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$112โฌ96.2
$116โฌ100
-3.85%
๐ Accommodation & Living
Alcorcรณn
Barcelona
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$860โฌ741
$1,569โฌ1,352
-45.17%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$706โฌ608
$1,218โฌ1,050
-42.07%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,340โฌ1,154
$2,795โฌ2,409
-52.08%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$989โฌ852
$1,975โฌ1,702
-49.96%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,462โฌ2,983
$7,754โฌ6,680
-55.35%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,228โฌ1,920
$5,176โฌ4,460
-56.95%
๐ต Salaries & Financials
Alcorcรณn
Barcelona
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$2,343โฌ2,019
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.43
3.39
1.18%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input โ minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Alcorcรณn: June 8, 2026
Last update for Barcelona: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
๐ A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $860 in Alcorcรณn and $1,569 in Barcelona. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
๐Dining out: $58.0 in Alcorcรณn vs $69.0 in Barcelona for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $296 vs $319 per month, with Alcorcรณn cheaper across the board.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Alcorcรณn vs Barcelona: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Barcelona cheaper than Alcorcรณn?
Alcorcรณn is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Clothing & Footwear, Sport & Entertainment, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 42% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $2,467 in Alcorcรณn and $3,505 in Barcelona to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
What is the rent difference between Alcorcรณn and Barcelona?
Rent for a central apartment: $860 in Alcorcรณn versus $1,569 in Barcelona. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What are total monthly expenses in Alcorcรณn vs Barcelona?
All in, you'll spend $1,645 per month in Alcorcรณn versus $2,337 in Barcelona โ a 42% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city has cheaper public transport?
A monthly transit pass in Alcorcรณn runs roughly 20% less than in Barcelona. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Is $2,500 a realistic budget for Alcorcรณn or Barcelona?
At $1,645 in Alcorcรณn versus $2,337 in Barcelona, a $2,500 budget is realistic in Alcorcรณn but tight or insufficient in Barcelona. The gap between the two cities makes Alcorcรณn the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Alcorcรณn or Barcelona more family-friendly?
For families, Alcorcรณn is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Barcelona, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Alcorcรณn or Barcelona?
Safety-wise, Alcorcรณn and Barcelona are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Alcorcรณn gentler on the wallet โ expenses run 42% less than in Barcelona. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.