πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $2,336 in Barcelona versus $2,552 in Yelm, WA.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $3,475 in Barcelona versus $3,760 in Yelm, WA.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,614 in Barcelona versus $4,968 in Yelm, WA.
πLiving in Barcelona costs roughly 8% less than in Yelm, WA, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πBoth cities are pricier than the global median: Barcelona74% above, Yelm, WA90% above.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Barcelona
Yelm, WA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.45β¬14.88
$22.39$22.39
-22.06%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$69.8β¬59.6
$70.4$70.4
-0.80%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$13.91β¬11.86
$12.22$12.22
13.83%
Cappuccino
$2.74β¬2.34
$6.32$6.32
-56.65%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.70β¬2.30
$3.39$3.39
-20.35%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.03β¬1.73
$2.33$2.33
-12.88%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$4.51β¬3.85
$7.15$7.15
-36.92%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.61β¬3.93
$5.88$5.88
-21.60%
π Groceries & Markets
Barcelona
Yelm, WA
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.28β¬1.09
$1.09$1.09
17.43%
White Bread(500g)
$2.10β¬1.79
$3.82$3.82
-45.03%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.99β¬1.70
$3.85$3.85
-48.31%
Eggs
$3.45β¬2.95
$4.27$4.27
-19.20%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$18.61β¬15.87
$15.15$15.15
22.84%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$9.41β¬8.03
$13.15$13.15
-28.44%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$18.70β¬15.95
$15.47$15.47
20.88%
Apples(1kg)
$2.61β¬2.22
$5.50$5.50
-52.55%
Banana(1kg)
$2.39β¬2.04
$1.98$1.98
20.71%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.19β¬1.86
$4.37$4.37
-49.89%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.81β¬2.40
$3.85$3.85
-27.01%
Potato(1kg)
$2.03β¬1.73
$1.95$1.95
4.10%
Onion(1kg)
$1.87β¬1.60
$3.19$3.19
-41.38%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.45β¬1.24
$1.82$1.82
-20.33%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.92β¬0.79
$1.46$1.46
-36.99%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.82β¬5.82
$7.09$7.09
-3.81%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.71β¬6.58
$13.84$13.84
-44.29%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.38β¬1.18
$1.87$1.87
-26.20%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.33β¬1.99
$4.57$4.57
-49.02%
π Getting Around
Barcelona
Yelm, WA
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.88β¬2.46
$1.98$1.98
45.45%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$29.04β¬24.77
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.43β¬3.78
$4.94$4.94
-10.32%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.14β¬1.82
$1.95$1.95
9.74%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$28.96β¬24.71
$51.6$51.6
-43.85%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.90β¬1.62
$1.11$1.11
71.17%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$37.9Kβ¬32.3K
$29.9K$29.9K
26.66%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$33.3Kβ¬28.4K
$26.2K$26.2K
26.91%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Barcelona
Yelm, WA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$186β¬158
$122$122
51.77%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$22.17β¬18.91
$51.8$51.8
-57.20%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$36.52β¬31.15
$69.5$69.5
-47.46%
π Sport & Entertainment
Barcelona
Yelm, WA
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$58.4β¬49.81
$42.97$42.97
35.89%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$20.75β¬17.70
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$11.10β¬9.47
$11.03$11.03
0.63%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Barcelona
Yelm, WA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$705β¬601
$1,478$1,478
-52.32%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$15.2Kβ¬13.0K
$30.6K$30.6K
-50.22%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Barcelona
Yelm, WA
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$86.4β¬73.7
$52.1$52.1
65.98%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$36.88β¬31.46
$37.71$37.71
-2.20%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$104β¬88.8
$91.1$91.1
14.15%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$115β¬98.4
$96.4$96.4
19.64%
π Accommodation & Living
Barcelona
Yelm, WA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,538β¬1,312
$1,592$1,592
-3.40%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,242β¬1,060
$1,350$1,350
-8.00%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,728β¬2,327
$2,624$2,624
3.96%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,011β¬1,716
$2,205$2,205
-8.78%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,155β¬6,104
$3,036$3,036
135.70%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,843β¬4,131
$2,654$2,654
82.45%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Barcelona
Yelm, WA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$2,474β¬2,111
$8,834$8,834
-71.99%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.39
6.61
-48.71%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Barcelona: April 19, 2026
Last update for Yelm, WA: April 20, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,538 in Barcelona and $1,592 in Yelm, WA. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Yelm, WA pays 257% 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: $70 in Barcelona vs $70 in Yelm, WA for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $318 vs $399 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 Yelm, WA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Barcelona and Yelm, WA?
Barcelona and Yelm, WA differ by about 9% in total monthly costs ($2,336 vs $2,552 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, Yelm, WA earns 257% 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 Yelm, WA?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,538 in Barcelona versus $1,592 in Yelm, WA. 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 Yelm, WA?
Childcare runs $705 in Barcelona versus $1,478 in Yelm, WA. 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 $70.0 in Yelm, WA. 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 $2,552 in Yelm, WA, a $3,000 budget is realistic in Barcelona but tight or insufficient in Yelm, WA. 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 Yelm, WA?
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 Yelm, WA safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Barcelona and Yelm, WA 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 Yelm, WA?
Expats usually find Barcelona gentler on the wallet β expenses run 9% less than in Yelm, WA. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.