😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,359 in Barcelona versus $170 in Derna.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,498 in Barcelona versus $341 in Derna.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,638 in Barcelona versus $513 in Derna.
🌍Living in Barcelona is roughly 1291% more expensive than in Derna, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Barcelona is 77% above, Derna is 87% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Barcelona
Derna
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.15€14.86
$4.67LYD 29.74
267.24%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$68.1€58.9
$9.05LYD 57.7
652.04%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$13.64€11.82
$3.76LYD 23.99
262.77%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$0.57LYD 3.63
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$0.75LYD 4.77
-
Cappuccino
$2.78€2.41
$0.57LYD 3.62
387.72%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.82€2.44
$0.38LYD 2.43
642.11%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.96€1.70
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$4.43€3.84
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.61€3.99
-
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Barcelona
Derna
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.27€1.10
$0.71LYD 4.53
78.87%
White Bread(500g)
$2.13€1.85
-
-
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.99€1.72
-
-
Eggs
$3.37€2.92
$0.71LYD 4.52
374.65%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$18.96€16.42
-
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$9.53€8.26
-
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$18.73€16.22
-
-
Apples(1kg)
$2.65€2.29
-
-
Banana(1kg)
$2.35€2.04
$0.96LYD 6.13
144.79%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.09€1.81
-
-
Tomato(1kg)
$2.73€2.37
-
-
Potato(1kg)
$1.96€1.70
-
-
Onion(1kg)
$1.81€1.56
-
-
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.51€1.31
-
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.89€0.77
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.78€5.87
-
-
Wine(Bottle)
$7.92€6.86
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.37€1.19
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.40€2.08
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Barcelona
Derna
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.91€2.52
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$28.66€24.82
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.58€3.96
$0.95LYD 6.03
382.11%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.04€1.77
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$28.72€24.87
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.82€1.58
-
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$39.3K€34.0K
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.5K€28.1K
-
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Barcelona
Derna
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$187€162
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$22.29€19.30
-
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$36.37€31.50
$16.83LYD 107
116.10%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Barcelona
Derna
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$57.5€49.82
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$20.74€17.96
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$10.77€9.33
-
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Barcelona
Derna
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$725€628
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$15.2K€13.1K
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Barcelona
Derna
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$87.9€76.1
$35.97LYD 229
144.26%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$36.81€31.88
$46.27LYD 295
-20.45%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103€89.6
$45.55LYD 290
127.00%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$119€103
$46.37LYD 296
155.68%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Barcelona
Derna
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,524€1,319
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,227€1,062
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,727€2,362
$181LYD 1,155
1404.63%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,984€1,718
$109LYD 698
1712.25%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,469€6,468
$197LYD 1,258
3685.39%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$5,243€4,541
$76.8LYD 490
6726.44%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Barcelona
Derna
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$2,393€2,072
$174LYD 1,106
1278.86%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.39
0
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Barcelona: July 27, 2026
Last update for Derna: July 28, 2026
Cost Breakdown
💰Barcelona pays 1279% 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: $68.0 in Barcelona vs $9.00 in Derna for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $319 vs $16.00 per month, with Derna 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 Derna: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Barcelona and in Derna?
Barcelona and Derna differ by about 1291% in total monthly costs ($2,359 vs $170 including rent). Derna is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Barcelona or Derna?
Average pay runs 1279% higher in Barcelona, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Derna – a meal for two runs $9.00 versus $68.0 in Barcelona. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more expensive overall: Barcelona or Derna?
All in, you'll spend $2,359 per month in Barcelona versus $170 in Derna – a 1291% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is more doable on $1,000 per month?
At $170 in Derna versus $2,359 in Barcelona, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Derna but tight or insufficient in Barcelona. The gap between the two cities makes Derna the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Barcelona and Derna?
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 Derna safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Barcelona and Derna 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 Derna?
Expats usually find Derna gentler on the wallet – expenses run 1291% less than in Barcelona. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.