πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $2,341 in Barcelona versus $1,005 in Jizan.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $3,462 in Barcelona versus $1,595 in Jizan.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,582 in Barcelona versus $2,185 in Jizan.
πLiving in Barcelona is roughly 133% more expensive than Jizan, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πThe two cities straddle the global median: Barcelona is 75% above, Jizan is 25% below.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Barcelona
Jizan
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.61β¬15.08
$6.59SARΒ 24.71
167.22%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$68.7β¬58.8
$26.92SARΒ 101
155.20%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$13.75β¬11.77
$6.48SARΒ 24.31
112.19%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$1.77SARΒ 6.64
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$1.84SARΒ 6.90
-
Cappuccino
$2.76β¬2.36
$3.30SARΒ 12.39
-16.36%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.78β¬2.38
$0.69SARΒ 2.60
302.90%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.05β¬1.75
$0.19SARΒ 0.73
978.95%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$4.61β¬3.94
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.59β¬3.93
-
-
π Groceries & Markets
Barcelona
Jizan
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.28β¬1.10
$1.65SARΒ 6.19
-22.42%
White Bread(500g)
$2.11β¬1.81
$0.93SARΒ 3.50
126.88%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.97β¬1.69
$2.00SARΒ 7.49
-1.50%
Eggs
$3.44β¬2.95
$2.61SARΒ 9.77
31.80%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$18.83β¬16.12
$7.20SARΒ 27.02
161.53%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$9.45β¬8.09
$5.57SARΒ 20.88
69.66%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$19.01β¬16.27
$15.96SARΒ 59.9
19.11%
Apples(1kg)
$2.72β¬2.33
$1.85SARΒ 6.94
47.03%
Banana(1kg)
$2.37β¬2.03
$1.39SARΒ 5.20
70.50%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.08β¬1.78
$1.63SARΒ 6.12
27.61%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.76β¬2.36
$1.23SARΒ 4.61
124.39%
Potato(1kg)
$1.97β¬1.69
$1.09SARΒ 4.07
80.73%
Onion(1kg)
$1.79β¬1.53
$1.10SARΒ 4.11
62.73%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.51β¬1.29
$1.12SARΒ 4.20
34.82%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90β¬0.77
$0.52SARΒ 1.94
73.08%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
-
$1.57SARΒ 5.88
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.70SARΒ 6.36
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.10SARΒ 7.87
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.76β¬5.79
$7.16SARΒ 26.85
-5.59%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.55β¬6.46
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.44β¬1.23
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.41β¬2.06
-
-
π Getting Around
Barcelona
Jizan
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$3.03β¬2.59
$1.10SARΒ 4.12
175.45%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$28.39β¬24.30
$40.29SARΒ 151
-29.54%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.43β¬3.79
$2.64SARΒ 9.90
67.80%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.05β¬1.76
$1.85SARΒ 6.94
10.81%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$29.33β¬25.11
$13.36SARΒ 50.1
119.54%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.89β¬1.62
$0.64SARΒ 2.38
195.31%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$38.7Kβ¬33.2K
$26.9KSARΒ 100.7K
44.21%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.4Kβ¬27.7K
$22.6KSARΒ 84.9K
42.93%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Barcelona
Jizan
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$189β¬161
$88.9SARΒ 333
112.18%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$22.21β¬19.01
$36.57SARΒ 137
-39.27%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$36.82β¬31.52
$73.3SARΒ 275
-49.73%
π Sport & Entertainment
Barcelona
Jizan
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$58.0β¬49.64
$87.9SARΒ 330
-34.04%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$20.99β¬17.97
$35.79SARΒ 134
-41.35%
Cinema Ticket
$11.05β¬9.46
$15.51SARΒ 58.2
-28.76%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Barcelona
Jizan
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$726β¬622
$131SARΒ 490
455.52%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$15.2Kβ¬13.0K
$3,346SARΒ 12.5K
355.08%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Barcelona
Jizan
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$88.3β¬75.6
$28.84SARΒ 108
206.24%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$36.98β¬31.66
$46.50SARΒ 174
-20.47%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103β¬87.8
$78.6SARΒ 295
30.42%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$119β¬102
$83.5SARΒ 313
42.73%
π Accommodation & Living
Barcelona
Jizan
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,526β¬1,307
$319SARΒ 1,196
378.40%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,218β¬1,043
$228SARΒ 855
434.18%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,794β¬2,392
$504SARΒ 1,888
454.89%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,027β¬1,735
$473SARΒ 1,775
328.33%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,094β¬6,073
$804SARΒ 3,017
781.83%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,849β¬4,151
-
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Barcelona
Jizan
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$2,404β¬2,058
$1,625SARΒ 6,093
47.96%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.39
4.42
-23.30%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Barcelona: April 27, 2026
Last update for Jizan: April 28, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,526 in Barcelona and $319 in Jizan. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Barcelona pays 48% 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 $27.00 in Jizan for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $320 vs $188 per month, with Jizan 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 Jizan: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Barcelona and Jizan?
Barcelona and Jizan differ by about 133% in total monthly costs ($2,341 vs $1,005 including rent). Jizan is meaningfully more affordable β a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Barcelona or Jizan?
Barcelona pays 48% 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 Jizan?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,526 in Barcelona versus $319 in Jizan. 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 Jizan?
Childcare runs $726 in Barcelona versus $131 in Jizan. 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 70% higher in Barcelona. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city is more doable on $1,000 per month?
At $1,005 in Jizan versus $2,341 in Barcelona, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Jizan but tight or insufficient in Barcelona. The gap between the two cities makes Jizan the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Barcelona and Jizan?
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 Jizan safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Barcelona and Jizan 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 Jizan?
Expats usually find Jizan gentler on the wallet β expenses run 133% less than in Barcelona. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.