πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,080 in Port Louis versus $2,337 in Barcelona.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,699 in Port Louis versus $3,468 in Barcelona.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,319 in Port Louis versus $4,599 in Barcelona.
πLiving in Port Louis costs roughly 54% less than in Barcelona, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πThe two cities straddle the global median: Port Louis is 20% below, Barcelona is 74% above.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Port Louis
Barcelona
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.53MURΒ 308
$17.08β¬14.72
-61.77%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$43.69MURΒ 2,057
$69.2β¬59.7
-36.90%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.98MURΒ 329
$13.78β¬11.87
-49.35%
Cappuccino
$2.56MURΒ 121
$2.76β¬2.37
-7.25%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.02MURΒ 48.19
$2.79β¬2.40
-63.44%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.60MURΒ 28.37
$1.99β¬1.72
-69.85%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.26MURΒ 107
$4.36β¬3.76
-48.17%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.33MURΒ 157
$4.74β¬4.09
-29.75%
π Groceries & Markets
Port Louis
Barcelona
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.69MURΒ 79.5
$1.29β¬1.11
31.01%
White Bread(500g)
$0.67MURΒ 31.37
$2.05β¬1.77
-67.32%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.32MURΒ 62.4
$1.99β¬1.71
-33.67%
Eggs
$2.33MURΒ 110
$3.39β¬2.92
-31.27%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$12.10MURΒ 570
$18.81β¬16.21
-35.67%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.13MURΒ 289
$9.36β¬8.07
-34.51%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.72MURΒ 599
$19.12β¬16.48
-33.47%
Apples(1kg)
$1.98MURΒ 93.1
$2.70β¬2.32
-26.67%
Banana(1kg)
$1.96MURΒ 92.4
$2.34β¬2.02
-16.24%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.49MURΒ 70.3
$2.12β¬1.83
-29.72%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.74MURΒ 129
$2.85β¬2.46
-3.86%
Potato(1kg)
$1.02MURΒ 48.27
$1.97β¬1.70
-48.22%
Onion(1kg)
$0.94MURΒ 44.46
$1.80β¬1.55
-47.78%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.81MURΒ 38.06
$1.45β¬1.25
-44.14%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.76MURΒ 35.75
$0.86β¬0.74
-11.63%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.41MURΒ 302
$6.78β¬5.84
-5.46%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.58MURΒ 404
$7.90β¬6.81
8.61%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.73MURΒ 81.7
$1.39β¬1.20
24.46%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.26MURΒ 106
$2.37β¬2.04
-4.64%
π Getting Around
Port Louis
Barcelona
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.05MURΒ 49.57
$2.92β¬2.52
-64.04%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$22.34MURΒ 1,052
$28.69β¬24.72
-22.13%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.28MURΒ 202
$4.46β¬3.84
-4.04%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.61MURΒ 123
$2.05β¬1.77
27.32%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$19.86MURΒ 935
$29.55β¬25.46
-32.79%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.47MURΒ 69.3
$1.82β¬1.56
-19.23%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$36.3KMURΒ 1.7M
$38.8Kβ¬33.5K
-6.52%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$28.5KMURΒ 1.3M
$33.1Kβ¬28.5K
-13.92%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Port Louis
Barcelona
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$48.79MURΒ 2,297
$189β¬163
-74.22%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$18.23MURΒ 858
$22.80β¬19.65
-20.04%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$33.17MURΒ 1,562
$37.59β¬32.39
-11.76%
π Sport & Entertainment
Port Louis
Barcelona
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$23.97MURΒ 1,129
$57.7β¬49.75
-58.49%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$4.01MURΒ 189
$20.74β¬17.87
-80.67%
Cinema Ticket
$6.03MURΒ 284
$10.82β¬9.33
-44.27%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Port Louis
Barcelona
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$157MURΒ 7,384
$728β¬628
-78.47%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$3,956MURΒ 186.3K
$14.8Kβ¬12.7K
-73.22%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Port Louis
Barcelona
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$85.7MURΒ 4,033
$88.6β¬76.4
-3.36%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$79.2MURΒ 3,729
$36.85β¬31.75
114.90%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$132MURΒ 6,213
$102β¬87.9
29.29%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$92.8MURΒ 4,371
$116β¬100
-20.04%
π Accommodation & Living
Port Louis
Barcelona
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$472MURΒ 22.2K
$1,569β¬1,352
-69.92%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$353MURΒ 16.6K
$1,218β¬1,050
-71.03%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$777MURΒ 36.6K
$2,795β¬2,409
-72.20%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$630MURΒ 29.7K
$1,975β¬1,702
-68.10%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,057MURΒ 191.1K
$7,754β¬6,680
-47.67%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,045MURΒ 49.2K
$5,176β¬4,460
-79.80%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Port Louis
Barcelona
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$671MURΒ 31.6K
$2,343β¬2,019
-71.35%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.67
3.39
96.76%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Port Louis: June 6, 2026
Last update for Barcelona: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $472 in Port Louis and $1,569 in Barcelona. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Barcelona pays 249% 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: $44.00 in Port Louis vs $69.0 in Barcelona for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $232 vs $319 per month, with Port Louis 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
Port Louis vs Barcelona: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Port Louis and Barcelona?
Port Louis and Barcelona differ by about 116% in total monthly costs ($1,080 vs $2,337 including rent). Port Louis 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 249% 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 Port Louis and Barcelona?
Rent for a central apartment: $472 in Port Louis 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 Port Louis and Barcelona?
Childcare runs $157 in Port Louis 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 37% 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 $1,080 in Port Louis versus $2,337 in Barcelona, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Port Louis but tight or insufficient in Barcelona. The gap between the two cities makes Port Louis the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Port Louis 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 Port Louis or Barcelona safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Port Louis 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: Port Louis or Barcelona?
Expats usually find Port Louis gentler on the wallet β expenses run 116% less than in Barcelona. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Port Louis vs other spots: cost of living compared