🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,320 in Barcelona versus $5,462 in Mata Utu.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,426 in Barcelona versus $6,930 in Mata Utu.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,532 in Barcelona versus $8,399 in Mata Utu.
🌍Living in Barcelona costs roughly 58% less than in Mata Utu, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Barcelona74% above, Mata Utu309% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Barcelona
Mata Utu
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.66€15.45
$11.55CFPF 1,202
52.90%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$69.7€61.0
$118CFPF 12.2K
-40.81%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$14.16€12.39
-
-
Cappuccino
$2.80€2.45
$8.14CFPF 847
-65.60%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.81€2.46
$5.76CFPF 600
-51.22%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.06€1.81
$3.57CFPF 371
-42.30%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$4.60€4.02
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.69€4.10
$5.96CFPF 620
-21.31%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Barcelona
Mata Utu
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.23€1.08
-
-
White Bread(500g)
$2.03€1.78
-
-
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.98€1.73
-
-
Eggs
$3.49€3.05
-
-
Local Cheese(1kg)
$18.33€16.04
-
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$9.83€8.60
-
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$19.13€16.73
-
-
Apples(1kg)
$2.73€2.38
-
-
Banana(1kg)
$2.38€2.09
-
-
Oranges(1kg)
$2.08€1.82
-
-
Tomato(1kg)
$2.75€2.41
-
-
Potato(1kg)
$1.96€1.72
-
-
Onion(1kg)
$1.79€1.57
-
-
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.48€1.29
$11.46CFPF 1,192
-87.09%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.91€0.80
$4.59CFPF 477
-80.17%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$7.13€6.24
$17.13CFPF 1,782
-58.38%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.88€6.89
$17.05CFPF 1,774
-53.78%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.38€1.21
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.39€2.09
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Barcelona
Mata Utu
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$3.01€2.63
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$29.35€25.68
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.36€3.82
-
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.13€1.86
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$29.60€25.90
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.82€1.59
$1.91CFPF 199
-4.71%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$37.9K€33.1K
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.4K€28.3K
-
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Barcelona
Mata Utu
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$189€165
$151CFPF 15.7K
25.46%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$22.29€19.50
$116CFPF 12.1K
-80.77%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$37.16€32.51
$3,445CFPF 358.5K
-98.92%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Barcelona
Mata Utu
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$58.0€50.8
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$20.66€18.08
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$10.87€9.51
-
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Barcelona
Mata Utu
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$706€618
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$14.9K€13.0K
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Barcelona
Mata Utu
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$89.4€78.3
$235CFPF 24.4K
-61.90%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$36.60€32.02
$91.3CFPF 9,504
-59.93%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$104€91.0
$229CFPF 23.9K
-54.66%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$119€104
$288CFPF 29.9K
-58.48%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Barcelona
Mata Utu
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,579€1,381
$926CFPF 96.3K
70.49%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,238€1,083
$909CFPF 94.6K
36.22%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,712€2,373
$2,325CFPF 241.9K
16.63%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,039€1,784
$2,320CFPF 241.4K
-12.10%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,527€6,585
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$5,239€4,584
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Barcelona
Mata Utu
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$2,364€2,068
$3,468CFPF 360.9K
-31.85%
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: July 13, 2026
Last update for Mata Utu: July 11, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,579 in Barcelona and $926 in Mata Utu. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Mata Utu pays 47% 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: $70.0 in Barcelona vs $118 in Mata Utu. Groceries flip the comparison at $320 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 in Mata Utu?
Barcelona and Mata Utu differ by about 135% in total monthly costs ($2,320 vs $5,462 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, salaries run 47% lower in Mata Utu. 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 in Mata Utu?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,579 in Barcelona versus $926 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 $70.0 versus $118 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 $2,320 per month in Barcelona versus $5,462 in Mata Utu – a 135% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is more doable on $3,000 per month?
At $2,320 in Barcelona versus $5,462 in Mata Utu, a $3,000 budget is realistic in Barcelona but tight or insufficient in Mata Utu. The gap between the two cities makes Barcelona the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
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 135% less than in Mata Utu. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.