🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,476 in Barcelona versus $2,801 in Amersfoort.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,545 in Barcelona versus $3,839 in Amersfoort.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,613 in Barcelona versus $4,876 in Amersfoort.
🌍Living in Barcelona costs roughly 12% less than in Amersfoort, driven mainly by Getting Around.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Barcelona81% above, Amersfoort105% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Barcelona
Amersfoort
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$18.74€16.33
$23.87€20.81
-21.49%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$69.5€60.6
$82.0€71.5
-15.25%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$13.77€12.00
$11.05€9.64
24.62%
Cappuccino
$3.10€2.70
$4.04€3.52
-23.27%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.83€2.47
$3.83€3.34
-26.11%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.88€1.64
$3.30€2.87
-43.03%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.98€3.47
$7.30€6.36
-45.48%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.53€3.95
$5.08€4.43
-10.83%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Barcelona
Amersfoort
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.27€1.11
$1.18€1.03
7.63%
White Bread(500g)
$2.16€1.88
$1.81€1.58
19.34%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.76€1.53
$2.97€2.59
-40.74%
Eggs
$5.13€4.47
$4.28€3.73
19.86%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$17.88€15.59
$14.27€12.44
25.30%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$9.65€8.41
$13.71€11.95
-29.61%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$20.15€17.56
$17.17€14.97
17.36%
Apples(1kg)
$3.25€2.84
$2.29€2.00
41.92%
Banana(1kg)
$2.23€1.94
$2.25€1.96
-0.89%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.60€2.27
$1.90€1.66
36.84%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.76€2.40
$3.83€3.33
-27.94%
Potato(1kg)
$2.21€1.93
$1.86€1.63
18.82%
Onion(1kg)
$2.12€1.85
$1.81€1.58
17.13%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.55€1.35
$1.23€1.07
26.02%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.95€0.83
$0.78€0.68
21.79%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$7.34€6.40
$13.59€11.85
-45.99%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.05€7.01
$6.92€6.03
16.33%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.54€1.35
$1.59€1.39
-3.14%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.79€2.43
$2.74€2.39
1.82%
🚌 Getting Around
Barcelona
Amersfoort
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$3.11€2.71
$4.56€3.97
-31.80%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$25.86€22.54
$91.8€80.0
-71.81%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.27€2.85
$5.87€5.11
-44.29%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.48€1.29
$2.96€2.58
-50.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$34.27€29.88
$28.61€24.94
19.78%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.73€1.51
$2.27€1.98
-23.79%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$36.4K€31.7K
$34.5K€30.1K
5.30%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$30.5K€26.6K
$39.1K€34.0K
-21.80%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Barcelona
Amersfoort
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$187€163
$270€235
-30.71%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$15.14€13.20
$27.09€23.61
-44.11%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$37.69€32.85
$48.86€42.59
-22.86%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Barcelona
Amersfoort
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$55.9€48.76
$39.56€34.48
41.41%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.08€14.89
$32.18€28.05
-46.92%
Cinema Ticket
$11.41€9.95
$15.93€13.89
-28.37%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Barcelona
Amersfoort
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$997€869
$2,051€1,788
-51.40%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$16.5K€14.4K
$4,765€4,154
246.91%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Barcelona
Amersfoort
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$92.6€80.8
$98.9€86.2
-6.30%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$41.22€35.93
$52.1€45.37
-20.81%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$111€96.9
$115€101
-3.67%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$125€109
$189€165
-33.81%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Barcelona
Amersfoort
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,707€1,488
$1,609€1,403
6.10%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,286€1,121
$1,348€1,175
-4.63%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,565€2,236
$2,149€1,873
19.39%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,942€1,693
$1,770€1,543
9.69%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,647€6,666
$6,485€5,653
17.91%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$5,167€4,504
$5,448€4,749
-5.15%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Barcelona
Amersfoort
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$2,348€2,047
$4,022€3,506
-41.61%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.16
3.92
-19.39%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Barcelona: September 13, 2026
Last update for Amersfoort: September 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,707 in Barcelona and $1,609 in Amersfoort. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Amersfoort pays 71% 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: $69.0 in Barcelona vs $82.0 in Amersfoort. Groceries flip the comparison at $336 vs $324, with Amersfoort 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 Amersfoort: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Amersfoort cheaper than Barcelona?
Barcelona is cheaper overall, especially in Eating Out, Clothing & Footwear, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Getting Around. The 13% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Barcelona or Amersfoort?
On paper, salaries run 71% lower in Amersfoort. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
What is the rent difference between Barcelona and Amersfoort?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,707 in Barcelona versus $1,609 in Amersfoort. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Is eating out cheaper in Barcelona or in Amersfoort?
Dining out is cheaper in Barcelona – a meal for two runs $69.0 versus $82.0 in Amersfoort. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
What are total monthly expenses in Barcelona and in Amersfoort?
All in, you'll spend $2,476 per month in Barcelona versus $2,801 in Amersfoort – a 13% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $3,000 enough to cover costs in Barcelona or in Amersfoort?
Both cities are expensive relative to $3,000. Barcelona is the more realistic option, but even there you'll need to be disciplined with housing, food, and fun money.
Is Barcelona or Amersfoort more family-friendly?
For families, Barcelona is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Amersfoort, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Barcelona or Amersfoort?
Safety-wise, Barcelona and Amersfoort 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 Barcelona gentler on the wallet – expenses run 13% less than in Amersfoort. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.