πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $2,356 in Barcelona versus $2,707 in Meridian, MS.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $3,455 in Barcelona versus $3,975 in Meridian, MS.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,553 in Barcelona versus $5,244 in Meridian, MS.
πLiving in Barcelona costs roughly 13% less than in Meridian, MS, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πBoth cities are pricier than the global median: Barcelona75% above, Meridian, MS101% above.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Barcelona
Meridian, MS
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.64β¬15.01
$26.34$26.34
-33.03%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$68.1β¬58.0
$123$123
-44.69%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$13.96β¬11.88
$11.91$11.91
17.21%
Cappuccino
$2.76β¬2.35
$5.50$5.50
-49.82%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.76β¬2.35
$2.02$2.02
36.63%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.97β¬1.67
$2.04$2.04
-3.43%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$4.53β¬3.85
$5.92$5.92
-23.48%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.53β¬3.85
$7.95$7.95
-43.02%
π Groceries & Markets
Barcelona
Meridian, MS
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.24β¬1.05
$0.88$0.88
40.91%
White Bread(500g)
$2.04β¬1.73
$4.09$4.09
-50.12%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.91β¬1.63
$1.98$1.98
-3.54%
Eggs
$3.39β¬2.89
$4.00$4.00
-15.25%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$18.34β¬15.60
$14.93$14.93
22.84%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$9.39β¬7.99
$8.84$8.84
6.22%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$18.90β¬16.08
$14.94$14.94
26.51%
Apples(1kg)
$2.63β¬2.23
$2.94$2.94
-10.54%
Banana(1kg)
$2.40β¬2.04
$1.08$1.08
122.22%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.12β¬1.80
$2.77$2.77
-23.47%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.70β¬2.30
$4.49$4.49
-39.87%
Potato(1kg)
$2.05β¬1.75
$1.97$1.97
4.06%
Onion(1kg)
$1.78β¬1.52
$3.26$3.26
-45.40%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.47β¬1.25
$2.04$2.04
-27.94%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.91β¬0.77
$3.08$3.08
-70.45%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$7.01β¬5.97
$6.91$6.91
1.45%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.59β¬6.46
$16.53$16.53
-54.08%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.44β¬1.22
$2.04$2.04
-29.41%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.32β¬1.97
$3.64$3.64
-36.26%
π Getting Around
Barcelona
Meridian, MS
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.94β¬2.50
$2.03$2.03
44.83%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$29.38β¬25.00
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.53β¬3.85
$3.47$3.47
30.55%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.14β¬1.82
$1.47$1.47
45.58%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$28.97β¬24.65
$34.48$34.48
-15.98%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.89β¬1.61
$0.72$0.72
162.50%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$39.0Kβ¬33.2K
$35.0K$35.0K
11.44%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.4Kβ¬27.6K
$28.3K$28.3K
14.70%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Barcelona
Meridian, MS
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$189β¬161
$234$234
-19.29%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$22.24β¬18.92
$57.7$57.7
-61.44%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$36.57β¬31.12
$70.0$70.0
-47.78%
π Sport & Entertainment
Barcelona
Meridian, MS
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$58.0β¬49.38
$42.45$42.45
36.70%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$21.30β¬18.13
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$11.01β¬9.37
$13.13$13.13
-16.15%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Barcelona
Meridian, MS
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$731β¬622
$594$594
22.97%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$14.8Kβ¬12.6K
$10.1K$10.1K
46.69%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Barcelona
Meridian, MS
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$89.3β¬76.0
$53.7$53.7
66.32%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$37.38β¬31.81
$40.41$40.41
-7.50%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$105β¬89.0
$76.0$76.0
37.73%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$116β¬99.0
$111$111
4.55%
π Accommodation & Living
Barcelona
Meridian, MS
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,551β¬1,320
$1,618$1,618
-4.14%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,216β¬1,035
$1,359$1,359
-10.55%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,799β¬2,382
$2,636$2,636
6.17%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,008β¬1,709
$2,251$2,251
-10.78%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,161β¬6,094
$2,735$2,735
161.78%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$5,021β¬4,273
$2,407$2,407
108.58%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Barcelona
Meridian, MS
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$2,462β¬2,095
$4,170$4,170
-40.95%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.39
6.57
-48.40%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Barcelona: April 13, 2026
Last update for Meridian, MS: April 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,551 in Barcelona and $1,618 in Meridian, MS. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Meridian, MS pays 69% 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: $68 in Barcelona vs $123 in Meridian, MS for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $316 vs $370 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 Meridian, MS: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Barcelona and Meridian, MS?
Barcelona and Meridian, MS differ by about 15% in total monthly costs ($2,356 vs $2,707 including rent). Barcelona 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, Meridian, MS earns 69% 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 Meridian, MS?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,551 in Barcelona versus $1,618 in Meridian, MS. 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 Meridian, MS?
Childcare runs $731 in Barcelona versus $594 in Meridian, MS. 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 Barcelona β a meal for two runs $68.0 versus $123 in Meridian, MS. 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 $2,356 in Barcelona versus $2,707 in Meridian, MS, a $3,000 budget is realistic in Barcelona but tight or insufficient in Meridian, MS. 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 Meridian, MS?
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 Meridian, MS safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Barcelona and Meridian, MS 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 Meridian, MS?
Expats usually find Barcelona gentler on the wallet β expenses run 15% less than in Meridian, MS. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.