🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,367 in Barcelona versus $5,428 in Mata Utu.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,465 in Barcelona versus $6,886 in Mata Utu.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,563 in Barcelona versus $8,345 in Mata Utu.
🙂Living in Barcelona costs roughly 56% less than in Mata Utu, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Barcelona77% above, Mata Utu305% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Barcelona
Mata Utu
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.58€15.14
$11.46CFPF 1,175
53.40%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$68.4€58.9
$115CFPF 11.8K
-40.50%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$14.06€12.10
-
-
Cappuccino
$2.78€2.39
$8.16CFPF 836
-65.93%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.80€2.41
$5.70CFPF 585
-50.88%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.06€1.78
$3.44CFPF 353
-40.12%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$4.46€3.84
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.61€3.97
$5.72CFPF 586
-19.41%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Barcelona
Mata Utu
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.24€1.07
-
-
White Bread(500g)
$2.03€1.75
-
-
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.92€1.65
-
-
Eggs
$3.31€2.85
-
-
Local Cheese(1kg)
$18.43€15.87
-
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$9.49€8.17
-
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$19.16€16.50
-
-
Apples(1kg)
$2.64€2.27
-
-
Banana(1kg)
$2.45€2.11
-
-
Oranges(1kg)
$2.12€1.83
-
-
Tomato(1kg)
$2.85€2.45
-
-
Potato(1kg)
$2.04€1.75
-
-
Onion(1kg)
$1.85€1.59
-
-
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.47€1.27
$11.35CFPF 1,163
-87.05%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84€0.73
$4.61CFPF 472
-81.78%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$7.14€6.15
$17.13CFPF 1,755
-58.32%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.88€6.79
$17.21CFPF 1,764
-54.21%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.38€1.19
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.31€1.99
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Barcelona
Mata Utu
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.98€2.57
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$29.26€25.20
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.60€3.96
-
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.07€1.78
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$29.18€25.13
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.84€1.58
$1.96CFPF 201
-6.12%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$39.0K€33.6K
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.7K€28.2K
-
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Barcelona
Mata Utu
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$188€162
$151CFPF 15.5K
24.32%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$22.93€19.75
$114CFPF 11.7K
-79.97%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$36.71€31.61
$3,490CFPF 357.8K
-98.95%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Barcelona
Mata Utu
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$57.4€49.41
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$20.70€17.82
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$11.19€9.64
-
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Barcelona
Mata Utu
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$721€621
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$15.0K€13.0K
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Barcelona
Mata Utu
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$86.2€74.2
$230CFPF 23.6K
-62.53%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$37.07€31.92
$93.0CFPF 9,537
-60.16%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$102€87.9
$229CFPF 23.4K
-55.35%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$116€99.8
$295CFPF 30.2K
-60.67%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Barcelona
Mata Utu
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,534€1,321
$925CFPF 94.8K
65.87%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,220€1,051
$927CFPF 95.1K
31.60%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,696€2,321
$2,339CFPF 239.7K
15.25%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,013€1,734
$2,335CFPF 239.3K
-13.79%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,220€6,217
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$5,189€4,468
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Barcelona
Mata Utu
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$2,359€2,032
$3,530CFPF 361.8K
-33.16%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.39
0
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Barcelona: May 31, 2026
Last update for Mata Utu: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,534 in Barcelona and $925 in Mata Utu. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Mata Utu pays 50% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $68.0 in Barcelona vs $115 in Mata Utu. Groceries flip the comparison at $318 vs $135, with Mata Utu 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 Mata Utu: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Barcelona and Mata Utu?
Barcelona and Mata Utu differ by about 129% in total monthly costs ($2,367 vs $5,428 including rent). Barcelona is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, Mata Utu 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 Mata Utu?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,534 in Barcelona versus $925 in Mata Utu. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Barcelona – a meal for two runs $68.0 versus $115 in Mata Utu. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more expensive overall: Barcelona or Mata Utu?
All in, you'll spend $2,367 per month in Barcelona versus $5,428 in Mata Utu – a 129% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is feasible on a $3,000 budget?
Both cities are expensive relative to $3,000. Barcelona is the more realistic option, but even there you'll need to be disciplined with housing, food, and fun money.
How does quality of life compare between Barcelona and Mata Utu?
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 Mata Utu safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Barcelona and Mata Utu 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 Mata Utu?
Expats usually find Barcelona gentler on the wallet – expenses run 129% less than in Mata Utu. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.