πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $2,337 in Barcelona versus $1,462 in FrΓ½dek-MΓstek.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $3,468 in Barcelona versus $2,113 in FrΓ½dek-MΓstek.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,599 in Barcelona versus $2,763 in FrΓ½dek-MΓstek.
πLiving in Barcelona is roughly 60% more expensive than FrΓ½dek-MΓstek, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πBoth cities are pricier than the global median: Barcelona74% above, FrΓ½dek-MΓstek9% above.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Barcelona
FrΓ½dek-MΓstek
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.08β¬14.72
$8.89KΔΒ 185
92.13%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$69.2β¬59.7
$36.74KΔΒ 764
88.46%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$13.78β¬11.87
$8.90KΔΒ 185
54.83%
Cappuccino
$2.76β¬2.37
$2.91KΔΒ 60.6
-5.15%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.79β¬2.40
$1.86KΔΒ 38.64
50.00%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.99β¬1.72
$1.52KΔΒ 31.52
30.92%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$4.36β¬3.76
$2.38KΔΒ 49.53
83.19%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.74β¬4.09
$1.91KΔΒ 39.67
148.17%
π Groceries & Markets
Barcelona
FrΓ½dek-MΓstek
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.29β¬1.11
$1.16KΔΒ 24.06
11.21%
White Bread(500g)
$2.05β¬1.77
$1.39KΔΒ 28.83
47.48%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.99β¬1.71
$2.04KΔΒ 42.35
-2.45%
Eggs
$3.39β¬2.92
$2.88KΔΒ 60.0
17.71%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$18.81β¬16.21
$11.78KΔΒ 245
59.68%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$9.36β¬8.07
$8.72KΔΒ 181
7.34%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$19.12β¬16.48
$12.02KΔΒ 250
59.07%
Apples(1kg)
$2.70β¬2.32
$1.70KΔΒ 35.45
58.82%
Banana(1kg)
$2.34β¬2.02
$1.77KΔΒ 36.76
32.20%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.12β¬1.83
$2.11KΔΒ 43.79
0.47%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.85β¬2.46
$2.98KΔΒ 61.9
-4.36%
Potato(1kg)
$1.97β¬1.70
$1.15KΔΒ 23.92
71.30%
Onion(1kg)
$1.80β¬1.55
$1.11KΔΒ 23.01
62.16%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.45β¬1.25
$1.43KΔΒ 29.76
1.40%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.86β¬0.74
$0.62KΔΒ 12.86
38.71%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.78β¬5.84
$7.49KΔΒ 156
-9.48%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.90β¬6.81
$6.95KΔΒ 144
13.67%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.39β¬1.20
$0.86KΔΒ 17.91
61.63%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.37β¬2.04
$1.77KΔΒ 36.74
33.90%
π Getting Around
Barcelona
FrΓ½dek-MΓstek
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.92β¬2.52
$0.96KΔΒ 20.01
204.17%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$28.69β¬24.72
$25.24KΔΒ 525
13.67%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.46β¬3.84
$1.38KΔΒ 28.74
223.19%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.05β¬1.77
$1.21KΔΒ 25.23
69.42%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$29.55β¬25.46
$13.93KΔΒ 290
112.13%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.82β¬1.56
$1.74KΔΒ 36.24
4.60%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$38.8Kβ¬33.5K
$27.7KKΔΒ 576.3K
40.10%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$33.1Kβ¬28.5K
$28.4KKΔΒ 591.0K
16.47%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Barcelona
FrΓ½dek-MΓstek
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$189β¬163
$222KΔΒ 4,622
-14.88%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$22.80β¬19.65
$30.20KΔΒ 628
-24.50%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$37.59β¬32.39
$18.62KΔΒ 387
101.88%
π Sport & Entertainment
Barcelona
FrΓ½dek-MΓstek
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$57.7β¬49.75
$63.2KΔΒ 1,313
-8.58%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$20.74β¬17.87
$16.54KΔΒ 344
25.39%
Cinema Ticket
$10.82β¬9.33
$9.49KΔΒ 197
14.01%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Barcelona
FrΓ½dek-MΓstek
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$728β¬628
$395KΔΒ 8,218
84.31%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$14.8Kβ¬12.7K
$5,602KΔΒ 116.5K
163.68%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Barcelona
FrΓ½dek-MΓstek
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$88.6β¬76.4
$80.8KΔΒ 1,680
9.70%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$36.85β¬31.75
$37.51KΔΒ 780
-1.76%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$102β¬87.9
$88.3KΔΒ 1,835
15.64%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$116β¬100
$96.4KΔΒ 2,003
20.49%
π Accommodation & Living
Barcelona
FrΓ½dek-MΓstek
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,569β¬1,352
$685KΔΒ 14.2K
129.12%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,218β¬1,050
$566KΔΒ 11.8K
115.06%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,795β¬2,409
$1,160KΔΒ 24.1K
140.94%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,975β¬1,702
$867KΔΒ 18.0K
127.87%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,754β¬6,680
$3,104KΔΒ 64.5K
149.77%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$5,176β¬4,460
$2,549KΔΒ 53.0K
103.06%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Barcelona
FrΓ½dek-MΓstek
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$2,343β¬2,019
$1,457KΔΒ 30.3K
60.87%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.39
5.52
-38.59%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Barcelona: June 7, 2026
Last update for FrΓ½dek-MΓstek: June 8, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,569 in Barcelona and $685 in FrΓ½dek-MΓstek. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Barcelona pays 61% 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: $69.0 in Barcelona vs $37.00 in FrΓ½dek-MΓstek for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $319 vs $243 per month, with FrΓ½dek-MΓstek 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 FrΓ½dek-MΓstek: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Barcelona and FrΓ½dek-MΓstek?
Barcelona and FrΓ½dek-MΓstek differ by about 60% in total monthly costs ($2,337 vs $1,462 including rent). FrΓ½dek-MΓstek is meaningfully more affordable β a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Barcelona or FrΓ½dek-MΓstek?
Barcelona pays 61% 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 FrΓ½dek-MΓstek?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,569 in Barcelona versus $685 in FrΓ½dek-MΓstek. 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 FrΓ½dek-MΓstek?
Childcare runs $728 in Barcelona versus $395 in FrΓ½dek-MΓstek. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Supermarket bills run roughly 31% higher in Barcelona. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city is more doable on $1,500 per month?
At $1,462 in FrΓ½dek-MΓstek versus $2,337 in Barcelona, a $1,500 budget is realistic in FrΓ½dek-MΓstek but tight or insufficient in Barcelona. The gap between the two cities makes FrΓ½dek-MΓstek the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Barcelona and FrΓ½dek-MΓstek?
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 FrΓ½dek-MΓstek safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Barcelona and FrΓ½dek-MΓstek 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 FrΓ½dek-MΓstek?
Expats usually find FrΓ½dek-MΓstek gentler on the wallet β expenses run 60% less than in Barcelona. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.