πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,025 in TamΓ‘si versus $2,337 in Barcelona.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,585 in TamΓ‘si versus $3,468 in Barcelona.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,145 in TamΓ‘si versus $4,599 in Barcelona.
πLiving in TamΓ‘si costs roughly 56% less than in Barcelona, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πThe two cities straddle the global median: TamΓ‘si is 24% below, Barcelona is 74% above.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
TamΓ‘si
Barcelona
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.67FtΒ 2,365
$17.08β¬14.80
-55.09%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$45.89FtΒ 14.2K
$69.2β¬60.0
-33.72%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.63FtΒ 1,736
$13.78β¬11.95
-59.14%
Cappuccino
$2.06FtΒ 636
$2.76β¬2.39
-25.36%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.49FtΒ 460
$2.79β¬2.42
-46.59%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.39FtΒ 428
$1.99β¬1.73
-30.15%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.27FtΒ 700
$4.36β¬3.78
-47.94%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.12FtΒ 653
$4.74β¬4.11
-55.27%
π Groceries & Markets
TamΓ‘si
Barcelona
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05FtΒ 324
$1.29β¬1.12
-18.60%
White Bread(500g)
$1.60FtΒ 494
$2.05β¬1.78
-21.95%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.18FtΒ 364
$1.99β¬1.72
-40.70%
Eggs
$2.04FtΒ 628
$3.39β¬2.94
-39.82%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.70FtΒ 2,375
$18.81β¬16.31
-59.06%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.65FtΒ 1,744
$9.36β¬8.12
-39.64%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.26FtΒ 3,473
$19.12β¬16.57
-41.11%
Apples(1kg)
$1.37FtΒ 422
$2.70β¬2.34
-49.26%
Banana(1kg)
$1.41FtΒ 434
$2.34β¬2.03
-39.74%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.75FtΒ 538
$2.12β¬1.84
-17.45%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.77FtΒ 855
$2.85β¬2.47
-2.81%
Potato(1kg)
$0.96FtΒ 296
$1.97β¬1.71
-51.27%
Onion(1kg)
$1.19FtΒ 366
$1.80β¬1.56
-33.89%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.43FtΒ 441
$1.45β¬1.26
-1.38%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.48FtΒ 148
$0.86β¬0.74
-44.19%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.36FtΒ 1,962
$6.78β¬5.87
-6.19%
Wine(Bottle)
$4.16FtΒ 1,284
$7.90β¬6.85
-47.34%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.92FtΒ 285
$1.39β¬1.20
-33.81%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.46FtΒ 450
$2.37β¬2.06
-38.40%
π Getting Around
TamΓ‘si
Barcelona
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.18FtΒ 364
$2.92β¬2.53
-59.59%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$25.37FtΒ 7,823
$28.69β¬24.86
-11.57%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.88FtΒ 887
$4.46β¬3.86
-35.43%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.29FtΒ 398
$2.05β¬1.78
-37.07%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$17.46FtΒ 5,385
$29.55β¬25.61
-40.91%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.68FtΒ 519
$1.82β¬1.57
-7.69%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.2KFtΒ 8.1M
$38.8Kβ¬33.7K
-32.43%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.3KFtΒ 7.8M
$33.1Kβ¬28.7K
-23.69%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
TamΓ‘si
Barcelona
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$105FtΒ 32.3K
$189β¬164
-44.63%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$24.87FtΒ 7,669
$22.80β¬19.76
9.08%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$13.41FtΒ 4,136
$37.59β¬32.58
-64.33%
π Sport & Entertainment
TamΓ‘si
Barcelona
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$46.78FtΒ 14.4K
$57.7β¬50.1
-18.98%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.60FtΒ 5,119
$20.74β¬17.98
-19.96%
Cinema Ticket
$6.98FtΒ 2,151
$10.82β¬9.38
-35.49%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
TamΓ‘si
Barcelona
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$223FtΒ 68.7K
$728β¬631
-69.40%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,210FtΒ 1.9M
$14.8Kβ¬12.8K
-57.96%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
TamΓ‘si
Barcelona
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$82.9FtΒ 25.6K
$88.6β¬76.8
-6.45%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$29.76FtΒ 9,177
$36.85β¬31.94
-19.24%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$69.5FtΒ 21.4K
$102β¬88.4
-31.89%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$58.1FtΒ 17.9K
$116β¬101
-50.00%
π Accommodation & Living
TamΓ‘si
Barcelona
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$451FtΒ 139.0K
$1,569β¬1,360
-71.28%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$339FtΒ 104.6K
$1,218β¬1,056
-72.17%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$633FtΒ 195.3K
$2,795β¬2,423
-77.34%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$539FtΒ 166.3K
$1,975β¬1,712
-72.70%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,333FtΒ 1.0M
$7,754β¬6,720
-57.01%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,104FtΒ 648.9K
$5,176β¬4,486
-59.34%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
TamΓ‘si
Barcelona
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,251FtΒ 385.6K
$2,343β¬2,031
-46.63%
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 TamΓ‘si: June 6, 2026
Last update for Barcelona: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $451 in TamΓ‘si and $1,569 in Barcelona. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Barcelona pays 87% 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: $46.00 in TamΓ‘si vs $69.0 in Barcelona for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $193 vs $319 per month, with TamΓ‘si 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
TamΓ‘si vs Barcelona: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in TamΓ‘si and Barcelona?
TamΓ‘si and Barcelona differ by about 128% in total monthly costs ($1,025 vs $2,337 including rent). TamΓ‘si 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 87% 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 TamΓ‘si and Barcelona?
Rent for a central apartment: $451 in TamΓ‘si 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 TamΓ‘si and Barcelona?
Childcare runs $223 in TamΓ‘si 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 65% 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 $1,025 in TamΓ‘si versus $2,337 in Barcelona, a $1,500 budget is realistic in TamΓ‘si but tight or insufficient in Barcelona. The gap between the two cities makes TamΓ‘si the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between TamΓ‘si 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 TamΓ‘si or Barcelona safer for residents?
Safety-wise, TamΓ‘si 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: TamΓ‘si or Barcelona?
Expats usually find TamΓ‘si gentler on the wallet β expenses run 128% less than in Barcelona. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.