😐A single person spends $2,488 per month in Badalona vs $2,341 in Barcelona, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $3,674 per month in Badalona vs $3,462 in Barcelona, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $4,860 per month in Badalona vs $4,582 in Barcelona, rent included.
😐Badalona costs about 6% more than Barcelona, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both Badalona and Barcelona sit above the global median – Badalona by 86%, Barcelona by 75%.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Badalona
Barcelona
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.34€14.85
$17.61€15.08
-1.53%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$58.4€50.0
$68.7€58.8
-14.96%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.70€10.01
$13.75€11.77
-14.91%
Cappuccino
$2.67€2.29
$2.76€2.36
-3.26%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.66€2.28
$2.78€2.38
-4.32%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.97€1.69
$2.05€1.75
-3.90%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.42€2.93
$4.61€3.94
-25.81%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.55€3.89
$4.59€3.93
-0.87%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Badalona
Barcelona
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.26€1.08
$1.28€1.10
-1.56%
White Bread(500g)
$2.01€1.72
$2.11€1.81
-4.74%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.60€1.37
$1.97€1.69
-18.78%
Eggs
$2.99€2.56
$3.44€2.95
-13.08%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$14.48€12.39
$18.83€16.12
-23.10%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$9.45€8.09
$9.45€8.09
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$17.31€14.82
$19.01€16.27
-8.94%
Apples(1kg)
$2.74€2.35
$2.72€2.33
0.74%
Banana(1kg)
$2.96€2.53
$2.37€2.03
24.89%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.11€1.81
$2.08€1.78
1.44%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.83€2.42
$2.76€2.36
2.54%
Potato(1kg)
$1.40€1.20
$1.97€1.69
-28.93%
Onion(1kg)
$1.47€1.26
$1.79€1.53
-17.88%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.45€1.24
$1.51€1.29
-3.97%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.74€0.64
$0.90€0.77
-17.78%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.35€5.44
$6.76€5.79
-6.07%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.45€6.38
$7.55€6.46
-1.32%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.57€1.34
$1.44€1.23
9.03%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.12€1.81
$2.41€2.06
-12.03%
🚌 Getting Around
Badalona
Barcelona
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.88€2.47
$3.03€2.59
-4.95%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$45.99€39.37
$28.39€24.30
61.99%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.04€3.45
$4.43€3.79
-8.80%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.10€1.80
$2.05€1.76
2.44%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$22.36€19.14
$29.33€25.11
-23.76%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.80€1.54
$1.89€1.62
-4.76%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$37.5K€32.1K
$38.7K€33.2K
-3.22%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$30.5K€26.1K
$32.4K€27.7K
-5.82%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Badalona
Barcelona
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$148€126
$189€161
-21.71%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$20.45€17.51
$22.21€19.01
-7.92%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$37.73€32.30
$36.82€31.52
2.47%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Badalona
Barcelona
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$50.7€43.41
$58.0€49.64
-12.54%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$34.36€29.41
$20.99€17.97
63.70%
Cinema Ticket
$9.45€8.09
$11.05€9.46
-14.48%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Badalona
Barcelona
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$323€277
$726€622
-55.51%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,816€5,835
$15.2K€13.0K
-55.23%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Badalona
Barcelona
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$95.8€82.0
$88.3€75.6
8.47%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$37.77€32.33
$36.98€31.66
2.14%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$105€90.1
$103€87.8
2.60%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$120€103
$119€102
0.65%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Badalona
Barcelona
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,703€1,457
$1,526€1,307
11.54%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,431€1,225
$1,218€1,043
17.49%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,324€1,990
$2,794€2,392
-16.81%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,550€2,183
$2,027€1,735
25.79%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$7,094€6,073
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,450€3,810
$4,849€4,151
-8.23%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Badalona
Barcelona
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$2,199€1,882
$2,404€2,058
-8.54%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.5
3.39
3.24%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Badalona: April 25, 2026
Last update for Barcelona: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $1,703 in Badalona versus $1,526 in Barcelona. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
💰Salaries run about 9% higher in Barcelona, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $58.0 in Badalona versus $69.0 in Barcelona. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $297 vs $320 – making Badalona the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
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
Badalona vs Barcelona: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Badalona and Barcelona compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $2,488 in Badalona, $2,341 in Barcelona – roughly 6% apart. Badalona costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Badalona compared to Barcelona?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,733 per month in Badalona and $3,512 in Barcelona. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Badalona and Barcelona?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Barcelona, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city is more expensive overall: Badalona or Barcelona?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $2,488 in Badalona and $2,341 in Barcelona. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
How do commuting costs compare in Badalona and Barcelona?
Public transport costs about 62% less in Barcelona. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
Which city is more doable on $3,000 per month?
A $3,000 monthly budget goes further in Barcelona, where all-in costs run around $2,341, than in Badalona at $2,488. In Barcelona it covers expenses comfortably, while in Badalona it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Badalona and Barcelona?
It depends on your priorities. Barcelona has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $2,341 in Barcelona to $2,488 in Badalona. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Badalona or Barcelona safer for residents?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
How do I decide between Badalona and Barcelona?
If budget matters most, go with Barcelona. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Badalona makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.