πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $2,341 in Barcelona versus $2,911 in Show Low, AZ.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $3,462 in Barcelona versus $4,037 in Show Low, AZ.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,582 in Barcelona versus $5,163 in Show Low, AZ.
πLiving in Barcelona costs roughly 20% less than in Show Low, AZ, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.
πBoth cities are pricier than the global median: Barcelona75% above, Show Low, AZ117% above.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Barcelona
Show Low, AZ
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.61β¬15.08
$17.42$17.42
1.09%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$68.7β¬58.8
$79.7$79.7
-13.76%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$13.75β¬11.77
$18.44$18.44
-25.43%
Cappuccino
$2.76β¬2.36
$5.98$5.98
-53.85%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.78β¬2.38
$3.56$3.56
-21.91%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.05β¬1.75
$2.68$2.68
-23.51%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$4.61β¬3.94
$6.18$6.18
-25.40%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.59β¬3.93
$6.84$6.84
-32.89%
π Groceries & Markets
Barcelona
Show Low, AZ
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.28β¬1.10
$1.49$1.49
-14.09%
White Bread(500g)
$2.11β¬1.81
$4.37$4.37
-51.72%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.97β¬1.69
$4.32$4.32
-54.40%
Eggs
$3.44β¬2.95
$4.12$4.12
-16.50%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$18.83β¬16.12
$12.49$12.49
50.76%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$9.45β¬8.09
$11.55$11.55
-18.18%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$19.01β¬16.27
$15.53$15.53
22.41%
Apples(1kg)
$2.72β¬2.33
$4.77$4.77
-42.98%
Banana(1kg)
$2.37β¬2.03
$1.64$1.64
44.51%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.08β¬1.78
$4.37$4.37
-52.40%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.76β¬2.36
$4.58$4.58
-39.74%
Potato(1kg)
$1.97β¬1.69
$2.78$2.78
-29.14%
Onion(1kg)
$1.79β¬1.53
$2.88$2.88
-37.85%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.51β¬1.29
$2.03$2.03
-25.62%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90β¬0.77
$2.12$2.12
-57.55%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.76β¬5.79
$9.77$9.77
-30.81%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.55β¬6.46
$15.03$15.03
-49.77%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.44β¬1.23
$1.77$1.77
-18.64%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.41β¬2.06
$3.41$3.41
-29.33%
π Getting Around
Barcelona
Show Low, AZ
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$3.03β¬2.59
$1.98$1.98
53.03%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$28.39β¬24.30
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.43β¬3.79
$3.42$3.42
29.53%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.05β¬1.76
$1.66$1.66
23.49%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$29.33β¬25.11
$29.54$29.54
-0.71%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.89β¬1.62
$0.80$0.80
136.25%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$38.7Kβ¬33.2K
$29.7K$29.7K
30.51%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.4Kβ¬27.7K
$25.4K$25.4K
27.53%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Barcelona
Show Low, AZ
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$189β¬161
$190$190
-0.62%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$22.21β¬19.01
$52.4$52.4
-57.65%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$36.82β¬31.52
$101$101
-63.57%
π Sport & Entertainment
Barcelona
Show Low, AZ
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$58.0β¬49.64
$43.92$43.92
32.04%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$20.99β¬17.97
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$11.05β¬9.46
$8.96$8.96
23.33%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Barcelona
Show Low, AZ
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$726β¬622
$1,290$1,290
-43.68%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$15.2Kβ¬13.0K
$23.5K$23.5K
-35.20%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Barcelona
Show Low, AZ
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$88.3β¬75.6
$50.4$50.4
75.27%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$36.98β¬31.66
$39.69$39.69
-6.83%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103β¬87.8
$91.3$91.3
12.32%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$119β¬102
$105$105
13.65%
π Accommodation & Living
Barcelona
Show Low, AZ
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,526β¬1,307
$1,487$1,487
2.63%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,218β¬1,043
$1,613$1,613
-24.49%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,794β¬2,392
$2,460$2,460
13.58%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,027β¬1,735
$2,218$2,218
-8.60%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,094β¬6,073
$2,903$2,903
144.34%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,849β¬4,151
$2,435$2,435
99.14%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Barcelona
Show Low, AZ
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$2,404β¬2,058
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.39
6.51
-47.93%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Barcelona: April 27, 2026
Last update for Show Low, AZ: April 25, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,526 in Barcelona and $1,487 in Show Low, AZ. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
πDining out: $69.0 in Barcelona vs $80.0 in Show Low, AZ for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $320 vs $402 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 Show Low, AZ: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Barcelona and Show Low, AZ?
Barcelona and Show Low, AZ differ by about 24% in total monthly costs ($2,341 vs $2,911 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 Show Low, AZ?
You'd need roughly $3,512 in Barcelona and $4,366 in Show Low, AZ 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 Show Low, AZ?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,526 in Barcelona versus $1,487 in Show Low, AZ. 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 Show Low, AZ?
Childcare runs $726 in Barcelona versus $1,290 in Show Low, AZ. 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 $69.0 versus $80.0 in Show Low, AZ. 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 $2,341 in Barcelona versus $2,911 in Show Low, AZ, a $3,000 budget is realistic in Barcelona but tight or insufficient in Show Low, AZ. 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 Show Low, AZ?
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 Show Low, AZ safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Barcelona and Show Low, AZ 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 Show Low, AZ?
Expats usually find Barcelona gentler on the wallet β expenses run 24% less than in Show Low, AZ. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.