πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $2,336 in Barcelona versus $2,242 in Augusta, ME.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $3,475 in Barcelona versus $3,214 in Augusta, ME.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,614 in Barcelona versus $4,187 in Augusta, ME.
πLiving in Barcelona is roughly 4% more expensive than Augusta, ME, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πBoth cities are pricier than the global median: Barcelona74% above, Augusta, ME67% above.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Barcelona
Augusta, ME
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.45β¬14.88
$19.90$19.90
-12.31%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$69.8β¬59.6
$74.9$74.9
-6.79%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$13.91β¬11.86
$7.53$7.53
84.73%
Cappuccino
$2.74β¬2.34
$5.07$5.07
-45.96%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.70β¬2.30
$2.38$2.38
13.45%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.03β¬1.73
$1.86$1.86
9.14%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$4.51β¬3.85
$5.13$5.13
-12.09%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.61β¬3.93
$6.10$6.10
-24.43%
π Groceries & Markets
Barcelona
Augusta, ME
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.28β¬1.09
$1.15$1.15
11.30%
White Bread(500g)
$2.10β¬1.79
$3.59$3.59
-41.50%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.99β¬1.70
$1.77$1.77
12.43%
Eggs
$3.45β¬2.95
$3.65$3.65
-5.48%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$18.61β¬15.87
$16.71$16.71
11.37%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$9.41β¬8.03
$12.33$12.33
-23.68%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$18.70β¬15.95
$18.98$18.98
-1.48%
Apples(1kg)
$2.61β¬2.22
$4.43$4.43
-41.08%
Banana(1kg)
$2.39β¬2.04
$1.27$1.27
88.19%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.19β¬1.86
$3.16$3.16
-30.70%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.81β¬2.40
$6.51$6.51
-56.84%
Potato(1kg)
$2.03β¬1.73
$2.22$2.22
-8.56%
Onion(1kg)
$1.87β¬1.60
$3.32$3.32
-43.67%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.45β¬1.24
$2.86$2.86
-49.30%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.92β¬0.79
$1.54$1.54
-40.26%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.82β¬5.82
$9.02$9.02
-24.39%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.71β¬6.58
$14.93$14.93
-48.36%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.38β¬1.18
$2.87$2.87
-51.92%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.33β¬1.99
$1.95$1.95
19.49%
π Getting Around
Barcelona
Augusta, ME
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.88β¬2.46
$1.95$1.95
47.69%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$29.04β¬24.77
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.43β¬3.78
$2.54$2.54
74.41%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.14β¬1.82
$1.23$1.23
73.98%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$28.96β¬24.71
$27.90$27.90
3.80%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.90β¬1.62
$0.90$0.90
111.11%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$37.9Kβ¬32.3K
$29.7K$29.7K
27.65%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$33.3Kβ¬28.4K
$25.5K$25.5K
30.83%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Barcelona
Augusta, ME
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$186β¬158
$197$197
-5.99%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$22.17β¬18.91
$59.0$59.0
-62.40%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$36.52β¬31.15
$78.2$78.2
-53.29%
π Sport & Entertainment
Barcelona
Augusta, ME
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$58.4β¬49.81
$30.20$30.20
93.34%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$20.75β¬17.70
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$11.10β¬9.47
$12.77$12.77
-13.08%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Barcelona
Augusta, ME
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$705β¬601
$2,796$2,796
-74.79%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$15.2Kβ¬13.0K
$27.1K$27.1K
-43.94%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Barcelona
Augusta, ME
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$86.4β¬73.7
$65.7$65.7
31.54%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$36.88β¬31.46
$44.31$44.31
-16.77%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$104β¬88.8
$84.3$84.3
23.46%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$115β¬98.4
$148$148
-22.12%
π Accommodation & Living
Barcelona
Augusta, ME
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,538β¬1,312
$1,051$1,051
46.28%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,242β¬1,060
$945$945
31.51%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,728β¬2,327
$1,603$1,603
70.19%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,011β¬1,716
$1,447$1,447
39.05%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,155β¬6,104
$2,342$2,342
205.55%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,843β¬4,131
$2,359$2,359
105.26%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Barcelona
Augusta, ME
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$2,474β¬2,111
$1,934$1,934
27.96%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.39
6.43
-47.28%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Barcelona: April 19, 2026
Last update for Augusta, ME: April 21, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,538 in Barcelona and $1,051 in Augusta, ME. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Barcelona pays 28% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
πDining out: $70 in Barcelona vs $75 in Augusta, ME for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $318 vs $404 per month, with Barcelona 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 Augusta, ME: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Barcelona and Augusta, ME?
Barcelona and Augusta, ME differ by about 4% in total monthly costs ($2,336 vs $2,242 including rent). Augusta, ME is meaningfully more affordable β a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Barcelona or Augusta, ME?
Barcelona pays 28% more on average, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How do apartment prices compare in Barcelona and Augusta, ME?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,538 in Barcelona versus $1,051 in Augusta, ME. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Barcelona and Augusta, ME?
Childcare runs $705 in Barcelona versus $2,796 in Augusta, ME. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Augusta, ME β a meal for two runs $75.0 versus $70.0 in Barcelona. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more doable on $3,000 per month?
At $2,242 in Augusta, ME versus $2,336 in Barcelona, a $3,000 budget is realistic in Augusta, ME but tight or insufficient in Barcelona. The gap between the two cities makes Augusta, ME the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Barcelona and Augusta, ME?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better β the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Barcelona or Augusta, ME safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Barcelona and Augusta, ME 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 Augusta, ME?
Expats usually find Augusta, ME gentler on the wallet β expenses run 4% less than in Barcelona. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.