πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,002 in Jizan versus $2,337 in Barcelona.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,577 in Jizan versus $3,468 in Barcelona.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,152 in Jizan versus $4,599 in Barcelona.
πLiving in Jizan costs roughly 57% less than in Barcelona, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πThe two cities straddle the global median: Jizan is 25% below, Barcelona is 74% above.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Jizan
Barcelona
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.74SARΒ 25.27
$17.08β¬14.72
-60.54%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$26.36SARΒ 98.9
$69.2β¬59.7
-61.93%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.81SARΒ 25.57
$13.78β¬11.87
-50.58%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.77SARΒ 6.65
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.77SARΒ 6.66
-
-
Cappuccino
$3.41SARΒ 12.79
$2.76β¬2.37
23.55%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.68SARΒ 2.57
$2.79β¬2.40
-75.63%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.18SARΒ 0.67
$1.99β¬1.72
-90.95%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$4.36β¬3.76
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$4.74β¬4.09
-
π Groceries & Markets
Jizan
Barcelona
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.67SARΒ 6.27
$1.29β¬1.11
29.46%
White Bread(500g)
$0.97SARΒ 3.64
$2.05β¬1.77
-52.68%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.93SARΒ 7.23
$1.99β¬1.71
-3.02%
Eggs
$2.69SARΒ 10.09
$3.39β¬2.92
-20.65%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.45SARΒ 27.95
$18.81β¬16.21
-60.39%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.60SARΒ 21.03
$9.36β¬8.07
-40.17%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.45SARΒ 58.0
$19.12β¬16.48
-19.19%
Apples(1kg)
$1.83SARΒ 6.87
$2.70β¬2.32
-32.22%
Banana(1kg)
$1.46SARΒ 5.48
$2.34β¬2.02
-37.61%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.71SARΒ 6.42
$2.12β¬1.83
-19.34%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.21SARΒ 4.55
$2.85β¬2.46
-57.54%
Potato(1kg)
$1.09SARΒ 4.08
$1.97β¬1.70
-44.67%
Onion(1kg)
$1.04SARΒ 3.90
$1.80β¬1.55
-42.22%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.12SARΒ 4.20
$1.45β¬1.25
-22.76%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.52SARΒ 1.94
$0.86β¬0.74
-39.53%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$1.64SARΒ 6.14
-
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.78SARΒ 6.68
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.99SARΒ 7.47
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$7.07SARΒ 26.54
$6.78β¬5.84
4.28%
Wine(Bottle)
-
$7.90β¬6.81
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.39β¬1.20
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.37β¬2.04
-
π Getting Around
Jizan
Barcelona
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.06SARΒ 3.96
$2.92β¬2.52
-63.70%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$40.05SARΒ 150
$28.69β¬24.72
39.60%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.61SARΒ 9.79
$4.46β¬3.84
-41.48%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.85SARΒ 6.96
$2.05β¬1.77
-9.76%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$13.30SARΒ 49.91
$29.55β¬25.46
-54.99%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.63SARΒ 2.37
$1.82β¬1.56
-65.38%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.9KSARΒ 100.9K
$38.8Kβ¬33.5K
-30.77%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.0KSARΒ 82.7K
$33.1Kβ¬28.5K
-33.40%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Jizan
Barcelona
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$88.3SARΒ 331
$189β¬163
-53.33%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$36.55SARΒ 137
$22.80β¬19.65
60.31%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$71.6SARΒ 269
$37.59β¬32.39
90.50%
π Sport & Entertainment
Jizan
Barcelona
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$85.0SARΒ 319
$57.7β¬49.75
47.28%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$35.08SARΒ 132
$20.74β¬17.87
69.14%
Cinema Ticket
$15.87SARΒ 59.5
$10.82β¬9.33
46.67%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Jizan
Barcelona
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$134SARΒ 501
$728β¬628
-81.66%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$3,319SARΒ 12.5K
$14.8Kβ¬12.7K
-77.53%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Jizan
Barcelona
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$29.02SARΒ 109
$88.6β¬76.4
-67.26%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$46.03SARΒ 173
$36.85β¬31.75
24.91%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$77.9SARΒ 292
$102β¬87.9
-23.68%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$80.8SARΒ 303
$116β¬100
-30.39%
π Accommodation & Living
Jizan
Barcelona
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$328SARΒ 1,229
$1,569β¬1,352
-79.12%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$231SARΒ 865
$1,218β¬1,050
-81.07%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$513SARΒ 1,925
$2,795β¬2,409
-81.65%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$487SARΒ 1,826
$1,975β¬1,702
-75.37%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$788SARΒ 2,957
$7,754β¬6,680
-89.84%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$5,176β¬4,460
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Jizan
Barcelona
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,619SARΒ 6,077
$2,343β¬2,019
-30.89%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.42
3.39
30.38%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Jizan: June 6, 2026
Last update for Barcelona: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $328 in Jizan and $1,569 in Barcelona. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Barcelona pays 45% 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: $26.00 in Jizan vs $69.0 in Barcelona for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $188 vs $319 per month, with Jizan 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
Jizan vs Barcelona: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Jizan and Barcelona?
Jizan and Barcelona differ by about 133% in total monthly costs ($1,002 vs $2,337 including rent). Jizan 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 45% 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 Jizan and Barcelona?
Rent for a central apartment: $328 in Jizan 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 Jizan and Barcelona?
Childcare runs $134 in Jizan 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 grocery shopping?
Supermarket bills run roughly 69% higher in Barcelona. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city is more doable on $1,000 per month?
At $1,002 in Jizan versus $2,337 in Barcelona, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Jizan but tight or insufficient in Barcelona. The gap between the two cities makes Jizan the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Jizan 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 Jizan or Barcelona safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Jizan 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: Jizan or Barcelona?
Expats usually find Jizan gentler on the wallet β expenses run 133% less than in Barcelona. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.