😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,482 in Barcelona versus $1,052 in 'ibri.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,548 in Barcelona versus $1,640 in 'ibri.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,613 in Barcelona versus $2,227 in 'ibri.
🌍Living in Barcelona is roughly 136% more expensive than in 'ibri, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Barcelona is 80% above, 'ibri is 24% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Barcelona
'ibri
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$18.42€15.88
$5.35OMR 2.06
244.30%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$69.4€59.8
$34.44OMR 13.26
101.42%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$14.05€12.11
$7.63OMR 2.94
84.14%
Cappuccino
$3.11€2.68
$4.80OMR 1.85
-35.21%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.96€2.55
$0.89OMR 0.34
232.58%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.95€1.69
$0.29OMR 0.11
572.41%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.99€3.44
$13.14OMR 5.06
-69.63%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.62€3.98
$13.10OMR 5.04
-64.73%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Barcelona
'ibri
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.32€1.14
$1.27OMR 0.49
3.94%
White Bread(500g)
$2.11€1.82
$0.79OMR 0.30
167.09%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.83€1.57
$1.28OMR 0.49
42.97%
Eggs
$5.16€4.45
$2.10OMR 0.81
145.71%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$17.56€15.14
$7.59OMR 2.92
131.36%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$9.50€8.19
$5.18OMR 1.99
83.40%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$19.93€17.18
$10.67OMR 4.11
86.79%
Apples(1kg)
$3.17€2.73
$2.65OMR 1.02
19.62%
Banana(1kg)
$2.21€1.91
$1.91OMR 0.73
15.71%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.61€2.25
$1.61OMR 0.62
62.11%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.85€2.46
$1.07OMR 0.41
166.36%
Potato(1kg)
$2.17€1.87
$1.06OMR 0.41
104.72%
Onion(1kg)
$2.11€1.81
$0.76OMR 0.29
177.63%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.62€1.39
$0.80OMR 0.31
102.50%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.88€0.76
$0.51OMR 0.20
72.55%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$7.17€6.18
$6.45OMR 2.48
11.16%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.33€7.18
$15.89OMR 6.12
-47.58%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.50€1.29
$5.44OMR 2.09
-72.43%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.75€2.37
$8.71OMR 3.35
-68.43%
🚌 Getting Around
Barcelona
'ibri
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$3.14€2.70
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$26.25€22.63
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.22€2.78
$2.58OMR 0.99
24.81%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.51€1.30
$1.31OMR 0.50
15.27%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$35.26€30.39
$7.66OMR 2.95
360.31%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.75€1.51
$0.59OMR 0.23
196.61%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$36.7K€31.6K
$25.2KOMR 9,694
45.56%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.7K€27.3K
$22.6KOMR 8,684
40.37%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Barcelona
'ibri
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$187€161
$76.8OMR 29.57
143.58%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$15.10€13.01
$30.47OMR 11.73
-50.44%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$37.60€32.41
$68.9OMR 26.51
-45.40%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Barcelona
'ibri
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$55.5€47.83
$76.6OMR 29.47
-27.53%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.74€14.43
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$11.71€10.09
$10.24OMR 3.94
14.36%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Barcelona
'ibri
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,011€871
$291OMR 112
247.12%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$17.1K€14.7K
$10.6KOMR 4,073
61.30%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Barcelona
'ibri
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$91.4€78.8
$57.5OMR 22.12
58.98%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$41.00€35.34
$44.10OMR 16.97
-7.03%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$111€95.3
$92.3OMR 35.51
19.85%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$126€109
$95.0OMR 36.55
32.76%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Barcelona
'ibri
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,704€1,469
$230OMR 88.4
641.69%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,299€1,120
$185OMR 71.2
602.17%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,588€2,231
$470OMR 181
450.31%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,929€1,663
$384OMR 148
402.19%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,732€6,665
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$5,384€4,641
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Barcelona
'ibri
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$2,374€2,046
$2,958OMR 1,138
-19.74%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.16
5.25
-39.81%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Barcelona: September 7, 2026
Last update for 'ibri: September 6, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,704 in Barcelona and $230 in 'ibri. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰'ibri pays 25% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $69.0 in Barcelona vs $34.00 in 'ibri for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $333 vs $242 per month, with 'ibri 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
Barcelona vs 'ibri: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Barcelona and in 'ibri?
Barcelona and 'ibri differ by about 136% in total monthly costs ($2,482 vs $1,052 including rent). 'ibri is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, salaries run 25% lower in 'ibri. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do apartment prices compare in Barcelona and in 'ibri?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,704 in Barcelona versus $230 in 'ibri. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Supermarket bills run roughly 38% higher in Barcelona. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city is more expensive overall: Barcelona or 'ibri?
All in, you'll spend $2,482 per month in Barcelona versus $1,052 in 'ibri – a 136% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $1,052 in 'ibri versus $2,482 in Barcelona, a $2,000 budget is realistic in 'ibri but tight or insufficient in Barcelona. The gap between the two cities makes 'ibri the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Barcelona and 'ibri?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Barcelona or 'ibri safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Barcelona and 'ibri are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Barcelona or 'ibri?
Expats usually find 'ibri gentler on the wallet – expenses run 136% less than in Barcelona. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.