πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,012 in Szekesfehervar versus $2,367 in Barcelona.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,633 in Szekesfehervar versus $3,465 in Barcelona.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,253 in Szekesfehervar versus $4,563 in Barcelona.
πLiving in Szekesfehervar costs roughly 57% less than in Barcelona, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πThe two cities straddle the global median: Szekesfehervar is 24% below, Barcelona is 77% above.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Szekesfehervar
Barcelona
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.09FtΒ 3,382
$17.58β¬15.12
-36.92%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$58.3FtΒ 17.8K
$68.4β¬58.9
-14.76%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.02FtΒ 2,750
$14.06β¬12.09
-35.85%
Cappuccino
$1.91FtΒ 581
$2.78β¬2.39
-31.29%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.28FtΒ 390
$2.80β¬2.41
-54.29%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.88FtΒ 268
$2.06β¬1.78
-57.28%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.90FtΒ 578
$4.46β¬3.84
-57.40%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.52FtΒ 767
$4.61β¬3.96
-45.34%
π Groceries & Markets
Szekesfehervar
Barcelona
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.12FtΒ 342
$1.24β¬1.07
-9.68%
White Bread(500g)
$1.71FtΒ 523
$2.03β¬1.74
-15.76%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.10FtΒ 640
$1.92β¬1.65
9.38%
Eggs
$2.68FtΒ 816
$3.31β¬2.85
-19.03%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.76FtΒ 2,367
$18.43β¬15.85
-57.89%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.08FtΒ 1,853
$9.49β¬8.16
-35.93%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$14.87FtΒ 4,535
$19.16β¬16.48
-22.39%
Apples(1kg)
$1.83FtΒ 557
$2.64β¬2.27
-30.68%
Banana(1kg)
$1.77FtΒ 539
$2.45β¬2.11
-27.76%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.87FtΒ 571
$2.12β¬1.82
-11.79%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.83FtΒ 863
$2.85β¬2.45
-0.70%
Potato(1kg)
$1.06FtΒ 323
$2.04β¬1.75
-48.04%
Onion(1kg)
$1.19FtΒ 362
$1.85β¬1.59
-35.68%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.39FtΒ 423
$1.47β¬1.26
-5.44%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.44FtΒ 135
$0.84β¬0.73
-47.62%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.32FtΒ 1,928
$7.14β¬6.14
-11.48%
Wine(Bottle)
$3.25FtΒ 991
$7.88β¬6.78
-58.76%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.99FtΒ 303
$1.38β¬1.19
-28.26%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.42FtΒ 433
$2.31β¬1.99
-38.53%
π Getting Around
Szekesfehervar
Barcelona
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.18FtΒ 360
$2.98β¬2.56
-60.40%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$24.71FtΒ 7,537
$29.26β¬25.17
-15.55%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.80FtΒ 853
$4.60β¬3.95
-39.13%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.14FtΒ 348
$2.07β¬1.78
-44.93%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$17.44FtΒ 5,318
$29.18β¬25.10
-40.23%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.72FtΒ 525
$1.84β¬1.58
-6.52%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.4KFtΒ 7.7M
$39.0Kβ¬33.6K
-34.95%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.2KFtΒ 7.7M
$32.7Kβ¬28.1K
-23.01%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Szekesfehervar
Barcelona
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$106FtΒ 32.2K
$188β¬162
-43.74%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$25.07FtΒ 7,644
$22.93β¬19.73
9.33%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$18.57FtΒ 5,663
$36.71β¬31.58
-49.41%
π Sport & Entertainment
Szekesfehervar
Barcelona
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$45.98FtΒ 14.0K
$57.4β¬49.35
-19.85%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.66FtΒ 5,081
$20.70β¬17.80
-19.52%
Cinema Ticket
$6.46FtΒ 1,970
$11.19β¬9.63
-42.27%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Szekesfehervar
Barcelona
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$220FtΒ 67.1K
$721β¬620
-69.46%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,228FtΒ 1.9M
$15.0Kβ¬12.9K
-58.60%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Szekesfehervar
Barcelona
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$64.3FtΒ 19.6K
$86.2β¬74.2
-25.46%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$22.72FtΒ 6,930
$37.07β¬31.89
-38.71%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$72.5FtΒ 22.1K
$102β¬87.8
-28.91%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$79.9FtΒ 24.4K
$116β¬99.7
-31.04%
π Accommodation & Living
Szekesfehervar
Barcelona
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$367FtΒ 112.0K
$1,534β¬1,319
-76.05%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$285FtΒ 86.9K
$1,220β¬1,050
-76.66%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$589FtΒ 179.5K
$2,696β¬2,319
-78.16%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$517FtΒ 157.5K
$2,013β¬1,732
-74.34%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,639FtΒ 1.1M
$7,220β¬6,211
-49.61%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$3,257FtΒ 993.4K
$5,189β¬4,463
-37.22%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Szekesfehervar
Barcelona
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,609FtΒ 490.8K
$2,359β¬2,029
-31.78%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.85
3.39
72.57%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Szekesfehervar: May 30, 2026
Last update for Barcelona: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $367 in Szekesfehervar and $1,534 in Barcelona. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Barcelona pays 47% 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: $58.0 in Szekesfehervar vs $68.0 in Barcelona for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $218 vs $318 per month, with Szekesfehervar 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
Szekesfehervar vs Barcelona: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Szekesfehervar and Barcelona?
Szekesfehervar and Barcelona differ by about 134% in total monthly costs ($1,012 vs $2,367 including rent). Szekesfehervar 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 47% 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 Szekesfehervar and Barcelona?
Rent for a central apartment: $367 in Szekesfehervar versus $1,534 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 Szekesfehervar and Barcelona?
Childcare runs $220 in Szekesfehervar versus $721 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 46% higher in Barcelona. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city is more doable on $1,500 per month?
At $1,012 in Szekesfehervar versus $2,367 in Barcelona, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Szekesfehervar but tight or insufficient in Barcelona. The gap between the two cities makes Szekesfehervar the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Szekesfehervar 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 Szekesfehervar or Barcelona safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Szekesfehervar 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: Szekesfehervar or Barcelona?
Expats usually find Szekesfehervar gentler on the wallet β expenses run 134% less than in Barcelona. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Szekesfehervar vs other spots: cost of living compared