🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,320 in Barcelona versus $2,360 in Akron, OH.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,426 in Barcelona versus $3,400 in Akron, OH.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,532 in Barcelona versus $4,440 in Akron, OH.
🌍Living in Barcelona costs roughly 2% less than in Akron, OH, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Barcelona74% above, Akron, OH77% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Barcelona
Akron, OH
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.66€15.46
$15.70$15.70
12.48%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$69.7€61.0
$56.1$56.1
24.23%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$14.16€12.40
$10.19$10.19
38.96%
Cappuccino
$2.80€2.45
$3.64$3.64
-23.08%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.81€2.46
$2.40$2.40
17.08%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.06€1.81
$1.80$1.80
14.44%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$4.60€4.03
$4.92$4.92
-6.50%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.69€4.11
$5.60$5.60
-16.25%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Barcelona
Akron, OH
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.23€1.08
$1.10$1.10
11.82%
White Bread(500g)
$2.03€1.78
$2.66$2.66
-23.68%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.98€1.73
$7.29$7.29
-72.84%
Eggs
$3.49€3.05
$4.64$4.64
-24.78%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$18.33€16.05
$15.22$15.22
20.43%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$9.83€8.61
$11.69$11.69
-15.91%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$19.13€16.75
$19.02$19.02
0.58%
Apples(1kg)
$2.73€2.39
$7.39$7.39
-63.06%
Banana(1kg)
$2.38€2.09
$1.55$1.55
53.55%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.08€1.82
$10.18$10.18
-79.57%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.75€2.41
$6.55$6.55
-58.02%
Potato(1kg)
$1.96€1.72
$2.10$2.10
-6.67%
Onion(1kg)
$1.79€1.57
$3.44$3.44
-47.97%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.48€1.29
$2.41$2.41
-38.59%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.91€0.80
$1.84$1.84
-50.54%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$7.13€6.25
$9.02$9.02
-20.95%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.88€6.90
$14.24$14.24
-44.66%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.38€1.21
$1.70$1.70
-18.82%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.39€2.09
$3.79$3.79
-36.94%
🚌 Getting Around
Barcelona
Akron, OH
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$3.01€2.64
$1.23$1.23
144.72%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$29.35€25.71
$49.01$49.01
-40.11%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.36€3.82
$4.89$4.89
-10.84%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.13€1.86
$1.58$1.58
34.81%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$29.60€25.93
$28.62$28.62
3.42%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.82€1.60
$0.85$0.85
114.12%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$37.9K€33.2K
$24.6K$24.6K
53.84%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.4K€28.4K
$28.8K$28.8K
12.33%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Barcelona
Akron, OH
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$189€166
$287$287
-34.13%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$22.29€19.52
$41.27$41.27
-45.99%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$37.16€32.55
$83.3$83.3
-55.38%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Barcelona
Akron, OH
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$58.0€50.8
$43.28$43.28
34.06%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$20.66€18.09
$17.20$17.20
20.12%
Cinema Ticket
$10.87€9.52
$12.22$12.22
-11.05%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Barcelona
Akron, OH
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$706€618
$1,333$1,333
-47.01%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$14.9K€13.0K
$12.5K$12.5K
18.87%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Barcelona
Akron, OH
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$89.4€78.3
$47.38$47.38
88.77%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$36.60€32.06
$65.7$65.7
-44.31%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$104€91.1
$86.1$86.1
20.78%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$119€105
$125$125
-4.37%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Barcelona
Akron, OH
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,579€1,383
$995$995
58.66%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,238€1,084
$911$911
35.93%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,712€2,375
$1,312$1,312
106.64%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,039€1,786
$1,601$1,601
27.40%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,527€6,592
$1,542$1,542
388.11%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$5,239€4,588
$1,501$1,501
249.03%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Barcelona
Akron, OH
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$2,364€2,070
$3,273$3,273
-27.78%
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: July 13, 2026
Last update for Akron, OH: July 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,579 in Barcelona and $995 in Akron, OH. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Akron, OH pays 38% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $70.0 in Barcelona vs $56.0 in Akron, OH. Groceries flip the comparison at $320 vs $456, 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 in Akron, OH?
Barcelona and Akron, OH differ by about 2% in total monthly costs ($2,320 vs $2,360 including rent). Barcelona 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 38% lower in Akron, OH. 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 Akron, OH?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,579 in Barcelona versus $995 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 $2,320 per month in Barcelona versus $2,360 in Akron, OH – a 2% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Barcelona and in Akron, OH?
A monthly transit pass in Barcelona runs roughly 67% less than in Akron, OH. 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 $2,320 in Barcelona versus $2,360 in Akron, OH, a $3,000 budget is realistic in Barcelona but tight or insufficient in Akron, OH. The gap between the two cities makes Barcelona 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 Barcelona gentler on the wallet – expenses run 2% less than in Akron, OH. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.