😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $3,216 in Philipsburg versus $2,442 in Barcelona.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $6,278 in Philipsburg versus $3,414 in Barcelona.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $9,340 in Philipsburg versus $4,386 in Barcelona.
🌍Living in Philipsburg is roughly 32% more expensive than in Barcelona, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Philipsburg137% above, Barcelona80% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Philipsburg
Barcelona
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$15.46ANG 27.59
$18.56€16.04
-16.70%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$75.2ANG 134
$70.1€60.5
7.38%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.92ANG 14.13
$13.70€11.84
-42.19%
Cappuccino
$4.23ANG 7.54
$3.10€2.68
36.45%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.81ANG 5.02
$2.76€2.38
1.81%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.65ANG 6.52
$1.86€1.61
96.24%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.97ANG 5.30
$4.00€3.46
-25.75%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.13ANG 9.16
$4.69€4.05
9.38%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Philipsburg
Barcelona
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$3.04ANG 5.43
$1.24€1.07
145.16%
White Bread(500g)
$2.70ANG 4.82
$2.13€1.84
26.76%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.99ANG 5.33
$1.82€1.57
64.29%
Eggs
$6.37ANG 11.37
$5.13€4.44
24.17%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$18.53ANG 33.07
$16.74€14.46
10.69%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$16.73ANG 29.86
$9.48€8.19
76.48%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$19.57ANG 34.93
$19.25€16.64
1.66%
Apples(1kg)
$5.04ANG 9.00
$3.07€2.65
64.17%
Banana(1kg)
$4.80ANG 8.57
$2.19€1.89
119.18%
Oranges(1kg)
$9.51ANG 16.98
$2.44€2.11
289.75%
Tomato(1kg)
$6.24ANG 11.14
$2.89€2.50
115.92%
Potato(1kg)
$4.09ANG 7.30
$2.21€1.91
85.07%
Onion(1kg)
$3.90ANG 6.96
$2.27€1.97
71.81%
Lettuce(1 head)
$4.46ANG 7.96
$1.55€1.34
187.74%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.70ANG 3.04
$0.86€0.74
97.67%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$8.10ANG 14.45
$7.31€6.32
10.81%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.18ANG 19.95
$8.02€6.93
39.40%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$3.91ANG 6.97
$1.53€1.32
155.56%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.03ANG 5.40
$2.57€2.22
17.90%
🚌 Getting Around
Philipsburg
Barcelona
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.48ANG 2.64
$3.13€2.70
-52.72%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$1.54ANG 2.74
$26.14€22.59
-94.11%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$20.31ANG 36.25
$3.34€2.89
508.08%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
-
$1.87€1.62
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
-
$34.29€29.63
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.42ANG 2.54
$1.71€1.48
-16.96%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$37.0K€32.0K
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$30.8K€26.7K
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Philipsburg
Barcelona
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$221ANG 395
$180€156
22.94%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$32.60ANG 58.2
$16.25€14.05
100.62%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$71.4ANG 127
$37.47€32.38
90.45%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Philipsburg
Barcelona
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$61.9ANG 111
$54.3€46.90
14.09%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$16.79€14.51
-
Cinema Ticket
$10.95ANG 19.55
$11.69€10.10
-6.33%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Philipsburg
Barcelona
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$250ANG 446
$949€820
-73.67%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$12.0KANG 21.4K
$16.3K€14.1K
-26.52%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Philipsburg
Barcelona
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
-
$85.4€73.8
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$39.82€34.41
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
-
$109€94.3
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$124€107
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Philipsburg
Barcelona
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,172ANG 3,877
$1,678€1,450
29.44%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,980ANG 3,535
$1,292€1,116
53.34%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$6,454ANG 11.5K
$2,624€2,268
145.94%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$6,477ANG 11.6K
$1,907€1,648
239.67%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$7,775€6,718
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$5,316€4,593
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Philipsburg
Barcelona
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,105ANG 1,973
$2,451€2,118
-54.91%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5
3.12
60.26%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Philipsburg: August 9, 2026
Last update for Barcelona: August 9, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $2,172 in Philipsburg and $1,678 in Barcelona. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Barcelona pays 122% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $75.0 in Philipsburg vs $70.0 in Barcelona for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $522 vs $326 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
Philipsburg vs Barcelona: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Philipsburg and in Barcelona?
Philipsburg and Barcelona differ by about 32% in total monthly costs ($3,216 vs $2,442 including rent). Barcelona is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, salaries run 122% lower in Barcelona. 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 Philipsburg and in Barcelona?
Rent for a central apartment: $2,172 in Philipsburg versus $1,678 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 Philipsburg and Barcelona?
Childcare runs $250 in Philipsburg versus $949 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 60% higher in Philipsburg. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city is feasible on a $3,000 budget?
Both cities are expensive relative to $3,000. Barcelona is the more realistic option, but even there you'll need to be disciplined with housing, food, and fun money.
How does quality of life compare between Philipsburg and Barcelona?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Philipsburg or Barcelona safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Philipsburg 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: Philipsburg or Barcelona?
Expats usually find Barcelona gentler on the wallet – expenses run 32% less than in Philipsburg. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Philipsburg vs other spots: cost of living compared