πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $2,341 in Barcelona versus $556 in Gabes.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $3,462 in Barcelona versus $870 in Gabes.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,582 in Barcelona versus $1,184 in Gabes.
πLiving in Barcelona is roughly 321% more expensive than Gabes, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πThe two cities straddle the global median: Barcelona is 75% above, Gabes is 58% below.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Barcelona
Gabes
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.61β¬15.08
$2.88TNDΒ 8.32
511.46%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$68.7β¬58.8
$18.87TNDΒ 54.5
264.07%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$13.75β¬11.77
$3.48TNDΒ 10.07
295.11%
Cappuccino
$2.76β¬2.36
$0.83TNDΒ 2.41
232.53%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.78β¬2.38
$0.70TNDΒ 2.03
297.14%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.05β¬1.75
$0.25TNDΒ 0.72
720.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$4.61β¬3.94
$1.22TNDΒ 3.53
277.87%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.59β¬3.93
$1.61TNDΒ 4.66
185.09%
π Groceries & Markets
Barcelona
Gabes
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.28β¬1.10
$0.45TNDΒ 1.31
184.44%
White Bread(500g)
$2.11β¬1.81
$0.19TNDΒ 0.56
1010.53%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.97β¬1.69
$1.33TNDΒ 3.83
48.12%
Eggs
$3.44β¬2.95
$1.73TNDΒ 5.01
98.84%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$18.83β¬16.12
$12.22TNDΒ 35.32
54.09%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$9.45β¬8.09
$5.70TNDΒ 16.48
65.79%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$19.01β¬16.27
$13.63TNDΒ 39.40
39.47%
Apples(1kg)
$2.72β¬2.33
$1.52TNDΒ 4.38
78.95%
Banana(1kg)
$2.37β¬2.03
$2.83TNDΒ 8.17
-16.25%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.08β¬1.78
$0.94TNDΒ 2.73
121.28%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.76β¬2.36
$0.58TNDΒ 1.67
375.86%
Potato(1kg)
$1.97β¬1.69
$0.71TNDΒ 2.05
177.46%
Onion(1kg)
$1.79β¬1.53
$0.61TNDΒ 1.75
193.44%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.51β¬1.29
$0.36TNDΒ 1.03
319.44%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90β¬0.77
$0.29TNDΒ 0.83
210.34%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.76β¬5.79
$3.29TNDΒ 9.52
105.47%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.55β¬6.46
$3.38TNDΒ 9.77
123.37%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.44β¬1.23
$0.68TNDΒ 1.96
111.76%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.41β¬2.06
$0.87TNDΒ 2.51
177.01%
π Getting Around
Barcelona
Gabes
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$3.03β¬2.59
$0.19TNDΒ 0.56
1494.74%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$28.39β¬24.30
$6.76TNDΒ 19.55
319.97%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.43β¬3.79
$0.29TNDΒ 0.83
1427.59%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.05β¬1.76
$0.21TNDΒ 0.60
876.19%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$29.33β¬25.11
$6.19TNDΒ 17.89
373.83%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.89β¬1.62
$0.89TNDΒ 2.57
112.36%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$38.7Kβ¬33.2K
$46.3KTNDΒ 133.9K
-16.36%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.4Kβ¬27.7K
$29.2KTNDΒ 84.3K
10.88%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Barcelona
Gabes
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$189β¬161
$64.0TNDΒ 185
194.72%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$22.21β¬19.01
$7.43TNDΒ 21.48
198.92%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$36.82β¬31.52
$17.01TNDΒ 49.17
116.46%
π Sport & Entertainment
Barcelona
Gabes
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$58.0β¬49.64
$31.85TNDΒ 92.0
82.07%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$20.99β¬17.97
$4.83TNDΒ 13.96
334.58%
Cinema Ticket
$11.05β¬9.46
$6.27TNDΒ 18.11
76.24%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Barcelona
Gabes
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$726β¬622
$57.8TNDΒ 167
1156.85%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$15.2Kβ¬13.0K
$3,201TNDΒ 9,250
375.69%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Barcelona
Gabes
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$88.3β¬75.6
$31.91TNDΒ 92.2
176.78%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$36.98β¬31.66
$40.45TNDΒ 117
-8.58%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103β¬87.8
$76.8TNDΒ 222
33.49%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$119β¬102
$83.4TNDΒ 241
43.04%
π Accommodation & Living
Barcelona
Gabes
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,526β¬1,307
$116TNDΒ 336
1214.49%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,218β¬1,043
$72.5TNDΒ 210
1579.96%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,794β¬2,392
$207TNDΒ 598
1251.03%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,027β¬1,735
$120TNDΒ 346
1594.85%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,094β¬6,073
$958TNDΒ 2,770
640.22%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,849β¬4,151
$641TNDΒ 1,854
656.09%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Barcelona
Gabes
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$2,404β¬2,058
$423TNDΒ 1,224
467.78%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.39
12
-71.75%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Barcelona: April 27, 2026
Last update for Gabes: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,526 in Barcelona and $116 in Gabes. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Barcelona pays 468% 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 $19.00 in Gabes for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $320 vs $176 per month, with Gabes 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 Gabes: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Barcelona and Gabes?
Barcelona and Gabes differ by about 321% in total monthly costs ($2,341 vs $556 including rent). Gabes is meaningfully more affordable β a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Barcelona or Gabes?
Barcelona pays 468% 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 Gabes?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,526 in Barcelona versus $116 in Gabes. 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 Gabes?
Childcare runs $726 in Barcelona versus $57.8 in Gabes. 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 82% 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 $556 in Gabes versus $2,341 in Barcelona, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Gabes but tight or insufficient in Barcelona. The gap between the two cities makes Gabes the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Barcelona and Gabes?
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 Gabes safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Barcelona and Gabes 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 Gabes?
Expats usually find Gabes gentler on the wallet β expenses run 321% less than in Barcelona. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.