πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $2,341 in Barcelona versus $1,799 in Solna.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $3,462 in Barcelona versus $2,686 in Solna.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,582 in Barcelona versus $3,572 in Solna.
πLiving in Barcelona is roughly 30% more expensive than Solna, driven mainly by Getting Around.
πBoth cities are pricier than the global median: Barcelona75% above, Solna34% above.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Barcelona
Solna
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.61β¬15.08
$14.71SEKΒ 137
19.71%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$68.7β¬58.8
$56.1SEKΒ 522
22.37%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$13.75β¬11.77
$10.60SEKΒ 98.6
29.72%
Cappuccino
$2.76β¬2.36
$4.87SEKΒ 45.32
-43.33%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.78β¬2.38
$3.24SEKΒ 30.18
-14.20%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.05β¬1.75
$1.55SEKΒ 14.38
32.26%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$4.61β¬3.94
$7.52SEKΒ 69.9
-38.70%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.59β¬3.93
$8.14SEKΒ 75.7
-43.61%
π Groceries & Markets
Barcelona
Solna
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.28β¬1.10
$1.53SEKΒ 14.20
-16.34%
White Bread(500g)
$2.11β¬1.81
$2.67SEKΒ 24.83
-20.97%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.97β¬1.69
$3.73SEKΒ 34.69
-47.18%
Eggs
$3.44β¬2.95
$3.93SEKΒ 36.53
-12.47%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$18.83β¬16.12
$9.43SEKΒ 87.7
99.68%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$9.45β¬8.09
$12.65SEKΒ 118
-25.30%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$19.01β¬16.27
$14.93SEKΒ 139
27.33%
Apples(1kg)
$2.72β¬2.33
$1.70SEKΒ 15.84
60.00%
Banana(1kg)
$2.37β¬2.03
$2.12SEKΒ 19.74
11.79%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.08β¬1.78
$2.69SEKΒ 24.97
-22.68%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.76β¬2.36
$3.08SEKΒ 28.69
-10.39%
Potato(1kg)
$1.97β¬1.69
$1.55SEKΒ 14.39
27.10%
Onion(1kg)
$1.79β¬1.53
$2.00SEKΒ 18.64
-10.50%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.51β¬1.29
$2.35SEKΒ 21.84
-35.74%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90β¬0.77
$1.12SEKΒ 10.37
-19.64%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.76β¬5.79
$7.59SEKΒ 70.6
-10.94%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.55β¬6.46
$14.78SEKΒ 137
-48.92%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.44β¬1.23
$1.39SEKΒ 12.89
3.60%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.41β¬2.06
$0.97SEKΒ 9.01
148.45%
π Getting Around
Barcelona
Solna
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$3.03β¬2.59
$4.53SEKΒ 42.11
-33.11%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$28.39β¬24.30
$103SEKΒ 962
-72.54%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.43β¬3.79
$3.74SEKΒ 34.77
18.45%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.05β¬1.76
$1.60SEKΒ 14.92
28.12%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$29.33β¬25.11
$83.1SEKΒ 773
-64.69%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.89β¬1.62
$1.96SEKΒ 18.27
-3.57%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$38.7Kβ¬33.2K
$27.3KSEKΒ 253.6K
42.06%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.4Kβ¬27.7K
$30.2KSEKΒ 280.7K
7.23%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Barcelona
Solna
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$189β¬161
$110SEKΒ 1,021
71.85%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$22.21β¬19.01
$28.90SEKΒ 269
-23.15%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$36.82β¬31.52
$41.49SEKΒ 386
-11.26%
π Sport & Entertainment
Barcelona
Solna
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$58.0β¬49.64
$45.83SEKΒ 426
26.53%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$20.99β¬17.97
$25.48SEKΒ 237
-17.62%
Cinema Ticket
$11.05β¬9.46
$15.27SEKΒ 142
-27.64%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Barcelona
Solna
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$726β¬622
$160SEKΒ 1,491
353.19%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$15.2Kβ¬13.0K
$4,169SEKΒ 38.8K
265.20%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Barcelona
Solna
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$88.3β¬75.6
$93.7SEKΒ 872
-5.77%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$36.98β¬31.66
$41.59SEKΒ 387
-11.08%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103β¬87.8
$90.6SEKΒ 843
13.19%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$119β¬102
$52.3SEKΒ 486
128.17%
π Accommodation & Living
Barcelona
Solna
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,526β¬1,307
$840SEKΒ 7,808
81.81%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,218β¬1,043
$651SEKΒ 6,053
87.15%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,794β¬2,392
$1,389SEKΒ 12.9K
101.23%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,027β¬1,735
$1,101SEKΒ 10.2K
84.17%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,094β¬6,073
$7,266SEKΒ 67.6K
-2.37%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,849β¬4,151
$5,393SEKΒ 50.2K
-10.07%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Barcelona
Solna
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$2,404β¬2,058
$3,986SEKΒ 37.1K
-39.68%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.39
4.8
-29.37%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Barcelona: April 27, 2026
Last update for Solna: April 25, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,526 in Barcelona and $840 in Solna. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Solna pays 66% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
πDining out: $69.0 in Barcelona vs $56.0 in Solna. Groceries flip the comparison at $320 vs $326, 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 vs Solna: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Barcelona and Solna?
Barcelona and Solna differ by about 30% in total monthly costs ($2,341 vs $1,799 including rent). Solna 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, Solna earns 66% 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 Solna?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,526 in Barcelona versus $840 in Solna. 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 Solna?
Childcare runs $726 in Barcelona versus $160 in Solna. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Shoppers in Barcelona pay roughly 2% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.
Which city is more doable on $2,500 per month?
At $1,799 in Solna versus $2,341 in Barcelona, a $2,500 budget is realistic in Solna but tight or insufficient in Barcelona. The gap between the two cities makes Solna the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Barcelona and Solna?
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 Solna safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Barcelona and Solna 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 Solna?
Expats usually find Solna gentler on the wallet β expenses run 30% less than in Barcelona. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.