😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,367 in Barcelona versus $2,334 in Akron, OH.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,465 in Barcelona versus $3,428 in Akron, OH.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,563 in Barcelona versus $4,521 in Akron, OH.
😐Living in Barcelona is roughly 1% more expensive than Akron, OH, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Barcelona77% above, Akron, OH74% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Barcelona
Akron, OH
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.58€15.14
$16.24$16.24
8.25%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$68.4€58.9
$54.4$54.4
25.76%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$14.06€12.10
$9.97$9.97
41.02%
Cappuccino
$2.78€2.39
$3.60$3.60
-22.78%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.80€2.41
$2.39$2.39
17.15%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.06€1.78
$1.73$1.73
19.08%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$4.46€3.84
$5.08$5.08
-12.20%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.61€3.97
$5.47$5.47
-15.72%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Barcelona
Akron, OH
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.24€1.07
$1.06$1.06
16.98%
White Bread(500g)
$2.03€1.75
$2.70$2.70
-24.81%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.92€1.65
$7.01$7.01
-72.61%
Eggs
$3.31€2.85
$4.68$4.68
-29.27%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$18.43€15.87
$15.45$15.45
19.29%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$9.49€8.17
$11.89$11.89
-20.19%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$19.16€16.50
$19.24$19.24
-0.42%
Apples(1kg)
$2.64€2.27
$7.66$7.66
-65.54%
Banana(1kg)
$2.45€2.11
$1.61$1.61
52.17%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.12€1.83
$10.15$10.15
-79.11%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.85€2.45
$6.41$6.41
-55.54%
Potato(1kg)
$2.04€1.75
$2.13$2.13
-4.23%
Onion(1kg)
$1.85€1.59
$3.41$3.41
-45.75%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.47€1.27
$2.35$2.35
-37.45%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84€0.73
$1.87$1.87
-55.08%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$7.14€6.15
$9.13$9.13
-21.80%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.88€6.79
$14.78$14.78
-46.68%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.38€1.19
$1.76$1.76
-21.59%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.31€1.99
$3.81$3.81
-39.37%
🚌 Getting Around
Barcelona
Akron, OH
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.98€2.57
$1.28$1.28
132.81%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$29.26€25.20
$49.02$49.02
-40.31%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.60€3.96
$4.92$4.92
-6.50%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.07€1.78
$1.57$1.57
31.85%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$29.18€25.13
$29.03$29.03
0.52%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.84€1.58
$0.80$0.80
130.00%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$39.0K€33.6K
$25.2K$25.2K
54.67%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.7K€28.2K
$28.1K$28.1K
16.31%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Barcelona
Akron, OH
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$188€162
$280$280
-32.87%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$22.93€19.75
$41.34$41.34
-44.53%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$36.71€31.61
$82.3$82.3
-55.40%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Barcelona
Akron, OH
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$57.4€49.41
$43.13$43.13
33.02%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$20.70€17.82
$17.60$17.60
17.61%
Cinema Ticket
$11.19€9.64
$12.11$12.11
-7.60%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Barcelona
Akron, OH
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$721€621
$1,337$1,337
-46.07%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$15.0K€13.0K
$12.5K$12.5K
20.77%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Barcelona
Akron, OH
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$86.2€74.2
$46.25$46.25
86.40%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$37.07€31.92
$63.6$63.6
-41.67%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$102€87.9
$87.1$87.1
17.09%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$116€99.8
$125$125
-7.15%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Barcelona
Akron, OH
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,534€1,321
$964$964
59.08%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,220€1,051
$921$921
32.52%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,696€2,321
$1,281$1,281
110.49%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,013€1,734
$1,593$1,593
26.41%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,220€6,217
$1,564$1,564
361.80%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$5,189€4,468
$1,501$1,501
245.77%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Barcelona
Akron, OH
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$2,359€2,032
$3,330$3,330
-29.15%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.39
6.38
-46.87%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Barcelona: May 31, 2026
Last update for Akron, OH: June 2, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,534 in Barcelona and $964 in Akron, OH. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Akron, OH pays 41% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $68.0 in Barcelona vs $54.0 in Akron, OH. Groceries flip the comparison at $318 vs $460, with Barcelona cheaper for home cooking.
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 Akron, OH: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Barcelona and Akron, OH?
Barcelona and Akron, OH differ by about 1% in total monthly costs ($2,367 vs $2,334 including rent). Akron, OH is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, Akron, OH earns 41% less. 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 Akron, OH?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,534 in Barcelona versus $964 in Akron, OH. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city is more expensive overall: Barcelona or Akron, OH?
All in, you'll spend $2,367 per month in Barcelona versus $2,334 in Akron, OH – a 1% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Barcelona and Akron, OH?
A monthly transit pass in Akron, OH runs roughly 68% less than in Barcelona. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Which city is more doable on $3,000 per month?
At $2,334 in Akron, OH versus $2,367 in Barcelona, a $3,000 budget is realistic in Akron, OH but tight or insufficient in Barcelona. The gap between the two cities makes Akron, OH the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Barcelona and Akron, OH?
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 Akron, OH safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Barcelona and Akron, OH 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 Akron, OH?
Expats usually find Akron, OH gentler on the wallet – expenses run 1% less than in Barcelona. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.