πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $2,336 in Barcelona versus $2,487 in Newton, IA.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $3,475 in Barcelona versus $3,652 in Newton, IA.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,614 in Barcelona versus $4,817 in Newton, IA.
πLiving in Barcelona costs roughly 6% less than in Newton, IA, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.
πBoth cities are pricier than the global median: Barcelona74% above, Newton, IA86% above.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Barcelona
Newton, IA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.45β¬14.88
$19.62$19.62
-11.06%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$69.8β¬59.6
$74.1$74.1
-5.79%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$13.91β¬11.86
$10.64$10.64
30.73%
Cappuccino
$2.74β¬2.34
$5.07$5.07
-45.96%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.70β¬2.30
$3.07$3.07
-12.05%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.03β¬1.73
$1.90$1.90
6.84%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$4.51β¬3.85
$4.86$4.86
-7.20%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.61β¬3.93
$6.92$6.92
-33.38%
π Groceries & Markets
Barcelona
Newton, IA
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.28β¬1.09
$0.89$0.89
43.82%
White Bread(500g)
$2.10β¬1.79
$3.09$3.09
-32.04%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.99β¬1.70
$4.58$4.58
-56.55%
Eggs
$3.45β¬2.95
$2.83$2.83
21.91%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$18.61β¬15.87
$6.46$6.46
188.08%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$9.41β¬8.03
$11.09$11.09
-15.15%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$18.70β¬15.95
$15.65$15.65
19.49%
Apples(1kg)
$2.61β¬2.22
$6.55$6.55
-60.15%
Banana(1kg)
$2.39β¬2.04
$2.25$2.25
6.22%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.19β¬1.86
$5.94$5.94
-63.13%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.81β¬2.40
$4.94$4.94
-43.12%
Potato(1kg)
$2.03β¬1.73
$1.78$1.78
14.04%
Onion(1kg)
$1.87β¬1.60
$2.83$2.83
-33.92%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.45β¬1.24
$2.00$2.00
-27.50%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.92β¬0.79
$2.54$2.54
-63.78%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.82β¬5.82
$9.16$9.16
-25.55%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.71β¬6.58
$10.03$10.03
-23.13%
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
$4.50$4.50
-48.22%
π Getting Around
Barcelona
Newton, IA
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.88β¬2.46
$2.02$2.02
42.57%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$29.04β¬24.77
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.43β¬3.78
$3.03$3.03
46.20%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.14β¬1.82
$1.41$1.41
51.77%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$28.96β¬24.71
$24.76$24.76
16.96%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.90β¬1.62
$0.83$0.83
128.92%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$37.9Kβ¬32.3K
$35.0K$35.0K
8.32%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$33.3Kβ¬28.4K
$26.9K$26.9K
23.85%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Barcelona
Newton, IA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$186β¬158
$114$114
62.77%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$22.17β¬18.91
$53.5$53.5
-58.59%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$36.52β¬31.15
$66.2$66.2
-44.83%
π Sport & Entertainment
Barcelona
Newton, IA
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$58.4β¬49.81
$42.67$42.67
36.84%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$20.75β¬17.70
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$11.10β¬9.47
$13.77$13.77
-19.39%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Barcelona
Newton, IA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$705β¬601
$907$907
-22.26%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$15.2Kβ¬13.0K
$24.7K$24.7K
-38.32%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Barcelona
Newton, IA
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$86.4β¬73.7
$18.26$18.26
373.22%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$36.88β¬31.46
$14.99$14.99
146.03%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$104β¬88.8
$81.4$81.4
27.89%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$115β¬98.4
$99.8$99.8
15.63%
π Accommodation & Living
Barcelona
Newton, IA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,538β¬1,312
$1,601$1,601
-3.93%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,242β¬1,060
$1,380$1,380
-9.99%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,728β¬2,327
$2,638$2,638
3.41%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,011β¬1,716
$2,204$2,204
-8.72%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,155β¬6,104
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,843β¬4,131
-
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Barcelona
Newton, IA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$2,474β¬2,111
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.39
6.5
-47.85%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Barcelona: April 19, 2026
Last update for Newton, IA: April 20, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,538 in Barcelona and $1,601 in Newton, IA. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
πDining out: $70 in Barcelona vs $74 in Newton, IA for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $318 vs $373 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 Newton, IA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Barcelona and Newton, IA?
Barcelona and Newton, IA differ by about 6% in total monthly costs ($2,336 vs $2,487 including rent). Barcelona is meaningfully more affordable β a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
What salary covers living expenses in Barcelona compared to Newton, IA?
You'd need roughly $3,504 in Barcelona and $3,730 in Newton, IA 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.
How do apartment prices compare in Barcelona and Newton, IA?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,538 in Barcelona versus $1,601 in Newton, IA. 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 Newton, IA?
Childcare runs $705 in Barcelona versus $907 in Newton, IA. 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 $70.0 versus $74.0 in Newton, IA. 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 $2,336 in Barcelona versus $2,487 in Newton, IA, a $3,000 budget is realistic in Barcelona but tight or insufficient in Newton, IA. 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 Newton, IA?
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 Newton, IA safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Barcelona and Newton, IA 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 Newton, IA?
Expats usually find Barcelona gentler on the wallet β expenses run 6% less than in Newton, IA. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.