πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $2,336 in Barcelona versus $2,057 in Mankato, MN.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $3,475 in Barcelona versus $3,053 in Mankato, MN.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,614 in Barcelona versus $4,049 in Mankato, MN.
πLiving in Barcelona is roughly 14% more expensive than Mankato, MN, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.
πBoth cities are pricier than the global median: Barcelona74% above, Mankato, MN54% above.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Barcelona
Mankato, MN
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.45β¬14.88
$15.79$15.79
10.51%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$69.8β¬59.6
$70.8$70.8
-1.41%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$13.91β¬11.86
$9.94$9.94
39.94%
Cappuccino
$2.74β¬2.34
$5.10$5.10
-46.27%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.70β¬2.30
$2.13$2.13
26.76%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.03β¬1.73
$1.68$1.68
20.83%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$4.51β¬3.85
$5.08$5.08
-11.22%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.61β¬3.93
$5.95$5.95
-22.52%
π Groceries & Markets
Barcelona
Mankato, MN
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.28β¬1.09
$0.96$0.96
33.33%
White Bread(500g)
$2.10β¬1.79
$2.57$2.57
-18.29%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.99β¬1.70
$2.18$2.18
-8.72%
Eggs
$3.45β¬2.95
$3.44$3.44
0.29%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$18.61β¬15.87
$8.49$8.49
119.20%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$9.41β¬8.03
$14.83$14.83
-36.55%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$18.70β¬15.95
$17.14$17.14
9.10%
Apples(1kg)
$2.61β¬2.22
$4.50$4.50
-42.00%
Banana(1kg)
$2.39β¬2.04
$1.58$1.58
51.27%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.19β¬1.86
$3.77$3.77
-41.91%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.81β¬2.40
$3.54$3.54
-20.62%
Potato(1kg)
$2.03β¬1.73
$4.29$4.29
-52.68%
Onion(1kg)
$1.87β¬1.60
$3.05$3.05
-38.69%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.45β¬1.24
$2.40$2.40
-39.58%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.92β¬0.79
$2.02$2.02
-54.46%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.82β¬5.82
$12.14$12.14
-43.82%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.71β¬6.58
$15.02$15.02
-48.67%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.38β¬1.18
$1.74$1.74
-20.69%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.33β¬1.99
$4.28$4.28
-45.56%
π Getting Around
Barcelona
Mankato, MN
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.88β¬2.46
$2.03$2.03
41.87%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$29.04β¬24.77
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.43β¬3.78
$2.04$2.04
117.16%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.14β¬1.82
$1.44$1.44
48.61%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$28.96β¬24.71
$19.97$19.97
45.02%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.90β¬1.62
$0.78$0.78
143.59%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$37.9Kβ¬32.3K
$25.9K$25.9K
46.18%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$33.3Kβ¬28.4K
$24.4K$24.4K
36.58%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Barcelona
Mankato, MN
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$186β¬158
$131$131
41.62%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$22.17β¬18.91
$51.8$51.8
-57.18%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$36.52β¬31.15
$75.6$75.6
-51.71%
π Sport & Entertainment
Barcelona
Mankato, MN
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$58.4β¬49.81
$39.54$39.54
47.67%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$20.75β¬17.70
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$11.10β¬9.47
$14.98$14.98
-25.90%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Barcelona
Mankato, MN
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$705β¬601
$1,371$1,371
-48.59%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$15.2Kβ¬13.0K
$11.8K$11.8K
28.42%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Barcelona
Mankato, MN
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$86.4β¬73.7
$62.3$62.3
38.72%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$36.88β¬31.46
$35.41$35.41
4.15%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$104β¬88.8
$71.6$71.6
45.37%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$115β¬98.4
$144$144
-19.72%
π Accommodation & Living
Barcelona
Mankato, MN
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,538β¬1,312
$987$987
55.77%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,242β¬1,060
$908$908
36.77%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,728β¬2,327
$2,622$2,622
4.06%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,011β¬1,716
$1,476$1,476
36.24%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,155β¬6,104
$1,639$1,639
336.45%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,843β¬4,131
$1,603$1,603
202.03%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Barcelona
Mankato, MN
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$2,474β¬2,111
$3,898$3,898
-36.52%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.39
6.61
-48.71%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Barcelona: April 19, 2026
Last update for Mankato, MN: April 20, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,538 in Barcelona and $987 in Mankato, MN. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Mankato, MN pays 58% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
πDining out: $70 in Barcelona vs $71 in Mankato, MN for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $318 vs $374 per month, with Barcelona 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 Mankato, MN: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Barcelona and Mankato, MN?
Barcelona and Mankato, MN differ by about 14% in total monthly costs ($2,336 vs $2,057 including rent). Mankato, MN is meaningfully more affordable β a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, Mankato, MN earns 58% 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 Mankato, MN?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,538 in Barcelona versus $987 in Mankato, MN. 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 Mankato, MN?
Childcare runs $705 in Barcelona versus $1,371 in Mankato, MN. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Mankato, MN β a meal for two runs $71.0 versus $70.0 in Barcelona. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more doable on $3,000 per month?
At $2,057 in Mankato, MN versus $2,336 in Barcelona, a $3,000 budget is realistic in Mankato, MN but tight or insufficient in Barcelona. The gap between the two cities makes Mankato, MN the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Barcelona and Mankato, MN?
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 Mankato, MN safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Barcelona and Mankato, MN 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 Mankato, MN?
Expats usually find Mankato, MN gentler on the wallet β expenses run 14% less than in Barcelona. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.