Last update: Nov 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Barcelona and Austin, MN

For one person, living is cheaper in Barcelona: $2,443 a month against $2,529 in Austin, MN, rent and utilities included – about $1,000 less a year. The total is higher in Austin, MN despite lower rent and utilities.

Barcelona, Spain
Austin, MN, United States
Barcelona
🇪🇸 Spain
$2,443
/mo nomad
Austin, MN
🇺🇸 United States
$2,529
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Barcelona and in Austin, MN

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Barcelona and in Austin, MN actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $2,443 per month in Barcelona vs $2,529 in Austin, MN, rent included.

  • Barcelona $2,443
  • Austin, MN $2,529

A couple spends around $3,519 per month in Barcelona vs $3,726 in Austin, MN, rent included.

  • Barcelona $3,519
  • Austin, MN $3,726

A family of three spends $4,595 per month in Barcelona vs $4,923 in Austin, MN, rent included.

  • Barcelona $4,595
  • Austin, MN $4,923

Barcelona is about 3% cheaper than Austin, MN, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in utilities.

Both Barcelona and Austin, MN sit above the global median – Barcelona by 81%, Austin, MN by 87%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Barcelona
Austin, MN
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.66 €15.69
$19.85 $19.85
-11.03%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$67.5 €59.9
$99.2 $99.2
-31.95%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$13.61 €12.09
$12.06 $12.06
12.85%
Cappuccino
$3.10 €2.75
$4.90 $4.90
-36.73%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.00 €2.67
$2.98 $2.98
0.67%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.93 €1.71
$2.03 $2.03
-4.93%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.84 €3.41
$4.85 $4.85
-20.82%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.36 €3.87
$5.68 $5.68
-23.24%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Barcelona
Austin, MN
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.25 €1.11
$0.82 $0.82
52.44%
White Bread (500g)
$2.12 €1.89
$2.87 $2.87
-26.13%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.97 €1.75
$1.96 $1.96
0.51%
Eggs
$4.76 €4.23
$2.55 $2.55
86.67%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$17.07 €15.16
$9.65 $9.65
76.89%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$8.96 €7.96
$6.65 $6.65
34.74%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$20.65 €18.34
$18.85 $18.85
9.55%
Apples (1kg)
$3.16 €2.81
$5.45 $5.45
-42.02%
Banana (1kg)
$1.97 €1.75
$1.18 $1.18
66.95%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.65 €2.36
$3.68 $3.68
-27.99%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.88 €2.56
$1.68 $1.68
71.43%
Potato (1kg)
$2.06 €1.83
$2.50 $2.50
-17.60%
Onion (1kg)
$2.18 €1.94
$2.22 $2.22
-1.80%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.53 €1.36
$1.46 $1.46
4.79%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.97 €0.86
$2.04 $2.04
-52.45%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$6.97 €6.19
$10.11 $10.11
-31.06%
Wine (Bottle)
$7.89 €7.01
$3.05 $3.05
158.69%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.42 €1.26
$1.70 $1.70
-16.47%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.69 €2.39
$2.99 $2.99
-10.03%
🚌 Getting Around
Barcelona
Austin, MN
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$3.31 €2.94
$1.83 $1.83
80.87%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$25.61 €22.75
$53.7 $53.7
-52.26%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.08 €2.74
$2.05 $2.05
50.24%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.48 €1.32
$1.20 $1.20
23.33%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$32.87 €29.20
$20.10 $20.10
63.53%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.87 €1.66
$1.01 $1.01
85.15%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$33.0K €29.3K
$26.4K $26.4K
24.71%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.9K €28.4K
$25.3K $25.3K
26.33%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Barcelona
Austin, MN
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$183 €162
$188 $188
-2.54%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$14.24 €12.65
$52.1 $52.1
-72.65%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$34.56 €30.70
$75.6 $75.6
-54.26%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Barcelona
Austin, MN
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$51.4 €45.68
$42.21 $42.21
21.82%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.38 €14.55
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$11.06 €9.83
$10.15 $10.15
8.97%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Barcelona
Austin, MN
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$944 €838
$1,304 $1,304
-27.65%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$22.3K €19.8K
$14.9K $14.9K
49.02%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Barcelona
Austin, MN
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$87.7 €77.9
$76.8 $76.8
14.12%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$38.77 €34.44
$55.0 $55.0
-29.47%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$105 €92.9
$103 $103
1.12%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$118 €105
$164 $164
-28.08%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Barcelona
Austin, MN
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,697 €1,507
$1,456 $1,456
16.56%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,337 €1,187
$1,299 $1,299
2.87%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,692 €2,391
$2,523 $2,523
6.72%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,077 €1,845
$2,075 $2,075
0.08%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$7,155 €6,356
$2,441 $2,441
193.13%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$5,079 €4,512
$2,247 $2,247
125.99%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Barcelona
Austin, MN
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$2,241 €1,991
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
3.19
6.57
-51.45%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Barcelona: November 2, 2026

Last update for Austin, MN: November 1, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Barcelona
$1.3K
Austin, MN
$1.3K 2.8% $37
Groceries & Markets
Barcelona
$328
Austin, MN
$294 10.3% $34
Eating Out
Barcelona
$267
Austin, MN
$310 15.9% $43
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Barcelona
$232
Austin, MN
$315 36.1% $84
Clothing & Footwear
Barcelona
$157
Austin, MN
$179 14.4% $23
Sport & Entertainment
Barcelona
$74
Austin, MN
$63 15% $11
Getting Around
Barcelona
$49
Austin, MN
$69 39.9% $20

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,697 in Barcelona versus $1,456 in Austin, MN. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $67 in Barcelona versus $99 in Austin, MN. Groceries tell a different story – $328 in Barcelona vs $294 in Austin, MN – so Austin, MN wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

Good to know
🇪🇸 Barcelona
🇺🇸 Austin, MN
🕒 Local time
16:09 4:09 PM
09:09 9:09 AM
7 h behind Barcelona
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
1,660,122
974,447
💱 Currency
Euro EUR €
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD to EUR – Euro Converter

Euro exchange rates as of November 4, 2026: 1 USD = 0.888 EUR (1 EUR = 1.13 USD).

United States Dollar exchange rates as of November 4, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.892 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Barcelona Austin, MN 7,330 km ≈ 10 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Barcelona
  • Austin, MN

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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 Austin, MN: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Barcelona cheaper than Austin, MN?
Yes – Austin, MN is pricier by about 4%, and outside of rent the gap shows up most in utilities.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,664 per month in Barcelona and $3,794 in Austin, MN. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Austin, MN, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $1,456 there versus $1,697 in Barcelona.
Is eating out cheaper in Barcelona or in Austin, MN?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $67 in Barcelona and $99 in Austin, MN. That’s a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
What are total monthly expenses in Barcelona and in Austin, MN?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $2,443 in Barcelona and $2,529 in Austin, MN. That makes Barcelona about 3% cheaper.
Is $3,000 enough for either Barcelona or Austin, MN?
$3,000 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $2,443 in Barcelona and $2,529 in Austin, MN, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Is it better to live in Barcelona or in Austin, MN?
It depends on your priorities. Barcelona has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $2,443 in Barcelona to $2,529 in Austin, MN. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Which city is safer, Barcelona or Austin, MN?
Both cities have a reputation for safety. In either place, the choice of neighborhood matters more than the choice between the two cities.

Barcelona vs other spots: cost of living compared

Similar cities

Show times on the 12-hour clock, temperatures in °F and distances in miles?