πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,069 in Coquimbo versus $2,337 in Barcelona.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,622 in Coquimbo versus $3,468 in Barcelona.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,176 in Coquimbo versus $4,599 in Barcelona.
πLiving in Coquimbo costs roughly 54% less than in Barcelona, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πThe two cities straddle the global median: Coquimbo is 20% below, Barcelona is 74% above.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Coquimbo
Barcelona
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.66CLPΒ 7,783
$17.08β¬14.72
-49.30%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$44.66CLPΒ 40.1K
$69.2β¬59.7
-35.50%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.21CLPΒ 7,378
$13.78β¬11.87
-40.42%
Cappuccino
$2.72CLPΒ 2,441
$2.76β¬2.37
-1.45%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.30CLPΒ 1,165
$2.79β¬2.40
-53.41%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.02CLPΒ 915
$1.99β¬1.72
-48.74%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.21CLPΒ 2,883
$4.36β¬3.76
-26.38%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.06CLPΒ 3,650
$4.74β¬4.09
-14.35%
π Groceries & Markets
Coquimbo
Barcelona
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.06CLPΒ 950
$1.29β¬1.11
-17.83%
White Bread(500g)
$1.53CLPΒ 1,374
$2.05β¬1.77
-25.37%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.92CLPΒ 1,726
$1.99β¬1.71
-3.52%
Eggs
$3.43CLPΒ 3,079
$3.39β¬2.92
1.18%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.34CLPΒ 9,295
$18.81β¬16.21
-45.03%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.72CLPΒ 6,039
$9.36β¬8.07
-28.21%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.79CLPΒ 9,695
$19.12β¬16.48
-43.57%
Apples(1kg)
$1.82CLPΒ 1,633
$2.70β¬2.32
-32.59%
Banana(1kg)
$1.52CLPΒ 1,362
$2.34β¬2.02
-35.04%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.55CLPΒ 1,391
$2.12β¬1.83
-26.89%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.45CLPΒ 1,304
$2.85β¬2.46
-49.12%
Potato(1kg)
$1.27CLPΒ 1,143
$1.97β¬1.70
-35.53%
Onion(1kg)
$1.42CLPΒ 1,277
$1.80β¬1.55
-21.11%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.27CLPΒ 1,141
$1.45β¬1.25
-12.41%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.19CLPΒ 1,068
$0.86β¬0.74
38.37%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.51CLPΒ 4,950
$6.78β¬5.84
-18.73%
Wine(Bottle)
$6.02CLPΒ 5,411
$7.90β¬6.81
-23.80%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.56CLPΒ 1,402
$1.39β¬1.20
12.23%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.21CLPΒ 1,988
$2.37β¬2.04
-6.75%
π Getting Around
Coquimbo
Barcelona
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.63CLPΒ 564
$2.92β¬2.52
-78.42%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$28.69β¬24.72
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.47CLPΒ 419
$4.46β¬3.84
-89.46%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
-
$2.05β¬1.77
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
-
$29.55β¬25.46
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.37CLPΒ 1,235
$1.82β¬1.56
-24.73%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$19.6KCLPΒ 17.6M
$38.8Kβ¬33.5K
-49.60%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.3KCLPΒ 19.1M
$33.1Kβ¬28.5K
-35.74%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Coquimbo
Barcelona
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$132CLPΒ 118.9K
$189β¬163
-30.07%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.32CLPΒ 12.0K
$22.80β¬19.65
-41.58%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$21.78CLPΒ 19.6K
$37.59β¬32.39
-42.06%
π Sport & Entertainment
Coquimbo
Barcelona
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$37.95CLPΒ 34.1K
$57.7β¬49.75
-34.27%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$21.29CLPΒ 19.1K
$20.74β¬17.87
2.65%
Cinema Ticket
$5.81CLPΒ 5,222
$10.82β¬9.33
-46.30%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Coquimbo
Barcelona
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$438CLPΒ 394.0K
$728β¬628
-39.80%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
-
$14.8Kβ¬12.7K
-
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Coquimbo
Barcelona
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$51.6CLPΒ 46.4K
$88.6β¬76.4
-41.78%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$29.86CLPΒ 26.8K
$36.85β¬31.75
-18.97%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$62.1CLPΒ 55.8K
$102β¬87.9
-39.17%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$83.2CLPΒ 74.8K
$116β¬100
-28.33%
π Accommodation & Living
Coquimbo
Barcelona
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$486CLPΒ 436.4K
$1,569β¬1,352
-69.05%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$373CLPΒ 335.5K
$1,218β¬1,050
-69.36%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$892CLPΒ 801.6K
$2,795β¬2,409
-68.09%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$592CLPΒ 531.7K
$1,975β¬1,702
-70.05%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$7,754β¬6,680
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$5,176β¬4,460
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Coquimbo
Barcelona
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$661CLPΒ 594.3K
$2,343β¬2,019
-71.78%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.18
3.39
52.80%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Coquimbo: June 7, 2026
Last update for Barcelona: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $486 in Coquimbo and $1,569 in Barcelona. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Barcelona pays 254% 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: $45.00 in Coquimbo vs $69.0 in Barcelona for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $226 vs $319 per month, with Coquimbo 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
Coquimbo vs Barcelona: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Coquimbo and Barcelona?
Coquimbo and Barcelona differ by about 119% in total monthly costs ($1,069 vs $2,337 including rent). Coquimbo 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, Barcelona earns 254% 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 Coquimbo and Barcelona?
Rent for a central apartment: $486 in Coquimbo versus $1,569 in Barcelona. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Coquimbo and Barcelona?
Childcare runs $438 in Coquimbo versus $728 in Barcelona. 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 Coquimbo β a meal for two runs $45.00 versus $69.0 in Barcelona. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $1,069 in Coquimbo versus $2,337 in Barcelona, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Coquimbo but tight or insufficient in Barcelona. The gap between the two cities makes Coquimbo the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Coquimbo and Barcelona?
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 Coquimbo or Barcelona safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Coquimbo and Barcelona 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: Coquimbo or Barcelona?
Expats usually find Coquimbo gentler on the wallet β expenses run 119% less than in Barcelona. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.