πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $3,108 in Philipsburg versus $2,341 in Barcelona.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $5,697 in Philipsburg versus $3,462 in Barcelona.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $8,287 in Philipsburg versus $4,582 in Barcelona.
πLiving in Philipsburg is roughly 33% more expensive than Barcelona, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πBoth cities are pricier than the global median: Philipsburg132% above, Barcelona75% above.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Philipsburg
Barcelona
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$14.94ANGΒ 26.75
$17.61β¬15.04
-15.16%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$73.9ANGΒ 132
$68.7β¬58.7
7.61%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.05ANGΒ 14.41
$13.75β¬11.74
-41.45%
Cappuccino
$4.31ANGΒ 7.72
$2.76β¬2.36
56.16%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.04ANGΒ 5.44
$2.78β¬2.38
9.35%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.78ANGΒ 6.76
$2.05β¬1.75
84.39%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.91ANGΒ 5.21
$4.61β¬3.93
-36.88%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.92ANGΒ 8.81
$4.59β¬3.92
7.19%
π Groceries & Markets
Philipsburg
Barcelona
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.93ANGΒ 5.24
$1.28β¬1.09
128.91%
White Bread(500g)
$3.04ANGΒ 5.44
$2.11β¬1.80
44.08%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.05ANGΒ 5.46
$1.97β¬1.68
54.82%
Eggs
$6.37ANGΒ 11.41
$3.44β¬2.94
85.17%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$18.65ANGΒ 33.38
$18.83β¬16.08
-0.96%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$16.98ANGΒ 30.39
$9.45β¬8.07
79.68%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$19.82ANGΒ 35.48
$19.01β¬16.24
4.26%
Apples(1kg)
$6.08ANGΒ 10.89
$2.72β¬2.32
123.53%
Banana(1kg)
$6.06ANGΒ 10.85
$2.37β¬2.03
155.70%
Oranges(1kg)
$9.05ANGΒ 16.20
$2.08β¬1.77
335.10%
Tomato(1kg)
$6.19ANGΒ 11.08
$2.76β¬2.36
124.28%
Potato(1kg)
$4.09ANGΒ 7.32
$1.97β¬1.68
107.61%
Onion(1kg)
$4.11ANGΒ 7.35
$1.79β¬1.53
129.61%
Lettuce(1 head)
$4.42ANGΒ 7.90
$1.51β¬1.29
192.72%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.95ANGΒ 3.49
$0.90β¬0.77
116.67%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$7.97ANGΒ 14.27
$6.76β¬5.77
17.90%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.86ANGΒ 19.44
$7.55β¬6.44
43.84%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$3.28ANGΒ 5.86
$1.44β¬1.23
127.78%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.88ANGΒ 5.16
$2.41β¬2.06
19.50%
π Getting Around
Philipsburg
Barcelona
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.46ANGΒ 2.60
$3.03β¬2.59
-51.82%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$28.39β¬24.25
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$14.75ANGΒ 26.41
$4.43β¬3.78
232.96%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$4.88ANGΒ 8.74
$2.05β¬1.75
138.05%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
-
$29.33β¬25.05
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.37ANGΒ 2.44
$1.89β¬1.61
-27.51%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$38.7Kβ¬33.1K
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$32.4Kβ¬27.6K
-
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Philipsburg
Barcelona
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$224ANGΒ 402
$189β¬161
18.97%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$32.93ANGΒ 59.0
$22.21β¬18.96
48.27%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$71.0ANGΒ 127
$36.82β¬31.44
92.78%
π Sport & Entertainment
Philipsburg
Barcelona
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$62.5ANGΒ 112
$58.0β¬49.52
7.69%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$20.99β¬17.93
-
Cinema Ticket
$13.22ANGΒ 23.66
$11.05β¬9.44
19.64%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Philipsburg
Barcelona
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$369ANGΒ 661
$726β¬620
-49.16%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$11.3KANGΒ 20.3K
$15.2Kβ¬13.0K
-25.60%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Philipsburg
Barcelona
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
-
$88.3β¬75.4
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$36.98β¬31.58
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
-
$103β¬87.6
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$119β¬102
-
π Accommodation & Living
Philipsburg
Barcelona
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,987ANGΒ 3,557
$1,526β¬1,304
30.17%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,875ANGΒ 3,356
$1,218β¬1,040
53.91%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$5,720ANGΒ 10.2K
$2,794β¬2,386
104.72%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$5,597ANGΒ 10.0K
$2,027β¬1,731
176.08%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,955ANGΒ 5,289
$7,094β¬6,058
-58.35%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$4,849β¬4,141
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Philipsburg
Barcelona
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,102ANGΒ 1,973
$2,404β¬2,053
-54.15%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.75
3.39
69.62%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Philipsburg: April 25, 2026
Last update for Barcelona: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,987 in Philipsburg and $1,526 in Barcelona. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Barcelona pays 118% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
πDining out: $74.0 in Philipsburg vs $69.0 in Barcelona for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $537 vs $320 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 Barcelona?
Philipsburg and Barcelona differ by about 33% in total monthly costs ($3,108 vs $2,341 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, Barcelona earns 118% 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 Philipsburg and Barcelona?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,987 in Philipsburg versus $1,526 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 $369 in Philipsburg versus $726 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 Barcelona β a meal for two runs $69.0 versus $74.0 in Philipsburg. 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 $2,341 in Barcelona versus $3,108 in Philipsburg, a $3,000 budget is realistic in Barcelona but tight or insufficient in Philipsburg. The gap between the two cities makes Barcelona the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
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 β 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 β expenses run 33% 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