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πͺπΈ Spain Barcelona Compare Destinations
Monthly Cost of Living π Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,337 in Barcelona versus $1,911 in MontΓ©vrain .
π Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,468 in Barcelona versus $2,913 in MontΓ©vrain .
π Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,599 in Barcelona versus $3,916 in MontΓ©vrain .
π Living in Barcelona is roughly 22% more expensive than MontΓ©vrain , driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
π Both cities are pricier than the global median: Barcelona 74% above, MontΓ©vrain 42% above.
Meal at Budget Restaurant
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
Men's Leather Business Shoes
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Barcelona: June 7, 2026
Last update for MontΓ©vrain: June 8, 2026
Cost Breakdown π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,569 in Barcelona and $773 in MontΓ©vrain . Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π Dining out: $69.0 in Barcelona vs $52.0 in MontΓ©vrain . Groceries flip the comparison at $319 vs $416 , with Barcelona 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 MontΓ©vrain
Barcelona vs MontΓ©vrain: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Barcelona and MontΓ©vrain differ by about 22% in total monthly costs ($2,337 vs $1,911 including rent). MontΓ©vrain is meaningfully more affordable β a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
You'd need roughly $3,505 in Barcelona and $2,866 in MontΓ©vrain to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
Rent for a central apartment: $1,569 in Barcelona versus $773 in MontΓ©vrain. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Childcare runs $728 in Barcelona versus $891 in MontΓ©vrain. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Shoppers in Barcelona pay roughly 30% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.
At $1,911 in MontΓ©vrain versus $2,337 in Barcelona, a $2,500 budget is realistic in MontΓ©vrain but tight or insufficient in Barcelona. The gap between the two cities makes MontΓ©vrain the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
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.
Safety-wise, Barcelona and MontΓ©vrain are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Expats usually find MontΓ©vrain gentler on the wallet β expenses run 22% less than in Barcelona. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Barcelona vs other spots: cost of living compared