😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,120 in Valencia versus $1,673 in Barakaldo.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,069 in Valencia versus $2,479 in Barakaldo.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,018 in Valencia versus $3,286 in Barakaldo.
🌍Living in Valencia is roughly 27% more expensive than in Barakaldo, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Valencia55% above, Barakaldo22% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Valencia
Barakaldo
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$18.73€16.33
$17.23€15.02
8.71%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$68.8€60.0
$70.9€61.8
-3.02%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$12.74€11.10
$12.64€11.02
0.79%
Cappuccino
$2.84€2.47
$2.66€2.32
6.77%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.59€2.26
$3.13€2.73
-17.25%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.05€1.79
$2.11€1.84
-2.84%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.39€2.96
$3.56€3.10
-4.78%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.58€4.00
$3.35€2.92
36.72%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Valencia
Barakaldo
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.26€1.10
$1.20€1.04
5.00%
White Bread(500g)
$1.37€1.20
$1.66€1.44
-17.47%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.76€1.54
$1.40€1.22
25.71%
Eggs
$3.66€3.19
$3.41€2.97
7.33%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$11.13€9.70
$12.43€10.83
-10.46%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.94€6.92
$8.32€7.25
-4.57%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$16.53€14.41
$13.97€12.18
18.32%
Apples(1kg)
$2.60€2.27
$2.79€2.43
-6.81%
Banana(1kg)
$1.94€1.69
$1.69€1.48
14.79%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.90€1.66
$2.13€1.86
-10.80%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.57€2.24
$2.49€2.17
3.21%
Potato(1kg)
$1.67€1.46
$1.53€1.34
9.15%
Onion(1kg)
$1.82€1.59
$2.46€2.15
-26.02%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.22€1.07
$1.29€1.12
-5.43%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.80€0.69
$0.69€0.60
15.94%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.86€5.98
$6.85€5.97
0.15%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.62€4.90
$8.22€7.17
-31.63%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.37€1.19
$1.43€1.24
-4.20%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.76€1.54
$2.11€1.84
-16.59%
🚌 Getting Around
Valencia
Barakaldo
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.28€1.99
$1.65€1.44
38.18%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.18€35.89
$34.41€30.00
19.67%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.53€3.95
$5.62€4.90
-19.40%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.40€1.22
$1.04€0.90
34.62%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$24.63€21.47
$32.90€28.68
-25.14%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.72€1.50
$1.73€1.51
-0.58%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$36.8K€32.1K
$36.6K€31.9K
0.55%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$30.3K€26.4K
$30.1K€26.3K
0.36%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Valencia
Barakaldo
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$163€142
$148€129
10.42%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$16.52€14.40
$19.19€16.73
-13.91%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$35.40€30.86
$26.53€23.13
33.43%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Valencia
Barakaldo
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$43.85€38.23
$46.33€40.38
-5.35%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$8.34€7.27
$16.70€14.56
-50.06%
Cinema Ticket
$10.86€9.46
$10.30€8.98
5.44%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Valencia
Barakaldo
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$605€527
$503€439
20.11%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$10.2K€8,882
$10.8K€9,415
-5.66%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Valencia
Barakaldo
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$93.4€81.4
$93.5€81.5
-0.09%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$43.02€37.50
$33.49€29.19
28.46%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$97.9€85.3
$73.9€64.4
32.48%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$120€105
$125€109
-4.11%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Valencia
Barakaldo
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,433€1,249
$933€813
53.61%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,055€920
$695€606
51.82%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,347€2,046
$1,417€1,236
65.55%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,691€1,474
$1,041€908
62.42%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$5,697€4,966
$3,404€2,967
67.36%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$3,336€2,908
$2,281€1,988
46.27%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Valencia
Barakaldo
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,974€1,721
$1,806€1,574
9.32%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.38
2.98
13.42%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Valencia: September 14, 2026
Last update for Barakaldo: September 15, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,433 in Valencia and $933 in Barakaldo. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Valencia pays 9% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $69.0 in Valencia vs $71.0 in Barakaldo for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $261 vs $264 per month, with Valencia 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
Valencia vs Barakaldo: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Valencia and in Barakaldo?
Valencia and Barakaldo differ by about 27% in total monthly costs ($2,120 vs $1,673 including rent). Barakaldo is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Valencia or Barakaldo?
Average pay runs 9% higher in Valencia, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How do apartment prices compare in Valencia and in Barakaldo?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,433 in Valencia versus $933 in Barakaldo. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Barakaldo – a meal for two runs $71.0 versus $69.0 in Valencia. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more expensive overall: Valencia or Barakaldo?
All in, you'll spend $2,120 per month in Valencia versus $1,673 in Barakaldo – a 27% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is more doable on $3,000 per month?
At $1,673 in Barakaldo versus $2,120 in Valencia, a $3,000 budget is realistic in Barakaldo but tight or insufficient in Valencia. The gap between the two cities makes Barakaldo the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Valencia and Barakaldo?
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 Valencia or Barakaldo safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Valencia and Barakaldo 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: Valencia or Barakaldo?
Expats usually find Barakaldo gentler on the wallet – expenses run 27% less than in Valencia. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.