😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,367 in Barcelona versus $1,558 in Hot Springs, AR.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,465 in Barcelona versus $2,483 in Hot Springs, AR.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,563 in Barcelona versus $3,409 in Hot Springs, AR.
😐Living in Barcelona is roughly 52% more expensive than Hot Springs, AR, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Barcelona77% above, Hot Springs, AR16% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Barcelona
Hot Springs, AR
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.58€15.14
$19.36$19.36
-9.19%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$68.4€58.9
$64.0$64.0
6.90%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$14.06€12.10
$9.37$9.37
50.05%
Cappuccino
$2.78€2.39
$5.02$5.02
-44.62%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.80€2.41
$2.38$2.38
17.65%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.06€1.78
$1.76$1.76
17.05%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$4.46€3.84
$5.10$5.10
-12.55%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.61€3.97
$6.35$6.35
-27.40%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Barcelona
Hot Springs, AR
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.24€1.07
$0.96$0.96
29.17%
White Bread(500g)
$2.03€1.75
$2.72$2.72
-25.37%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.92€1.65
$2.75$2.75
-30.18%
Eggs
$3.31€2.85
$2.33$2.33
42.06%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$18.43€15.87
$7.95$7.95
131.82%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$9.49€8.17
$10.84$10.84
-12.45%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$19.16€16.50
$15.59$15.59
22.90%
Apples(1kg)
$2.64€2.27
$3.74$3.74
-29.41%
Banana(1kg)
$2.45€2.11
$1.62$1.62
51.23%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.12€1.83
$4.62$4.62
-54.11%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.85€2.45
$3.52$3.52
-19.03%
Potato(1kg)
$2.04€1.75
$3.13$3.13
-34.82%
Onion(1kg)
$1.85€1.59
$3.05$3.05
-39.34%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.47€1.27
$1.93$1.93
-23.83%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84€0.73
$1.56$1.56
-46.15%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$7.14€6.15
$8.13$8.13
-12.18%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.88€6.79
$19.22$19.22
-59.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.38€1.19
$1.68$1.68
-17.86%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.31€1.99
$1.86$1.86
24.19%
🚌 Getting Around
Barcelona
Hot Springs, AR
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.98€2.57
$1.26$1.26
136.51%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$29.26€25.20
$27.98$27.98
4.57%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.60€3.96
$1.94$1.94
137.11%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.07€1.78
$1.33$1.33
55.64%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$29.18€25.13
$19.89$19.89
46.71%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.84€1.58
$0.74$0.74
148.65%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$39.0K€33.6K
$17.0K$17.0K
129.24%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.7K€28.2K
$22.6K$22.6K
44.51%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Barcelona
Hot Springs, AR
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$188€162
$213$213
-11.75%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$22.93€19.75
$58.6$58.6
-60.87%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$36.71€31.61
$40.05$40.05
-8.34%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Barcelona
Hot Springs, AR
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$57.4€49.41
$35.20$35.20
62.98%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$20.70€17.82
$9.99$9.99
107.21%
Cinema Ticket
$11.19€9.64
$12.70$12.70
-11.89%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Barcelona
Hot Springs, AR
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$721€621
$597$597
20.69%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$15.0K€13.0K
$27.0K$27.0K
-44.34%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Barcelona
Hot Springs, AR
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$86.2€74.2
$39.82$39.82
116.50%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$37.07€31.92
$32.12$32.12
15.41%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$102€87.9
$74.8$74.8
36.48%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$116€99.8
$81.1$81.1
42.87%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Barcelona
Hot Springs, AR
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,534€1,321
$607$607
152.87%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,220€1,051
$405$405
201.55%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,696€2,321
$1,005$1,005
168.12%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,013€1,734
$824$824
144.18%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,220€6,217
$1,917$1,917
276.59%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$5,189€4,468
$1,948$1,948
166.37%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Barcelona
Hot Springs, AR
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$2,359€2,032
$3,531$3,531
-33.19%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.39
6.36
-46.70%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Barcelona: May 31, 2026
Last update for Hot Springs, AR: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,534 in Barcelona and $607 in Hot Springs, AR. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Hot Springs, AR pays 50% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $68.0 in Barcelona vs $64.0 in Hot Springs, AR. Groceries flip the comparison at $318 vs $339, with Barcelona cheaper for home cooking.
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 Hot Springs, AR: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Barcelona and Hot Springs, AR?
Barcelona and Hot Springs, AR differ by about 52% in total monthly costs ($2,367 vs $1,558 including rent). Hot Springs, AR is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, Hot Springs, AR earns 50% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do apartment prices compare in Barcelona and Hot Springs, AR?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,534 in Barcelona versus $607 in Hot Springs, AR. 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 Hot Springs, AR?
Childcare runs $721 in Barcelona versus $597 in Hot Springs, AR. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Shoppers in Barcelona pay roughly 7% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.
Which city is more doable on $1,000 per month?
At $1,558 in Hot Springs, AR versus $2,367 in Barcelona, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Hot Springs, AR but tight or insufficient in Barcelona. The gap between the two cities makes Hot Springs, AR the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Barcelona and Hot Springs, AR?
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 Hot Springs, AR safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Barcelona and Hot Springs, AR 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 Hot Springs, AR?
Expats usually find Hot Springs, AR gentler on the wallet – expenses run 52% less than in Barcelona. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.