Cost of living in Barcelona, Spain vs Madrid, Spain
Currency:
| Food | + 10% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Barcelona (Spain) is 10% more expensive than in Madrid (Spain) | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | €15 | €14 | + 4% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | €8 | €8 | + 3% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | €3.88 | €3.39 | + 14% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | €0.91 | €0.79 | + 15% | |
| 12 eggs, large | €2.78 | €2.37 | + 17% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | €1.82 | €1.59 | + 14% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | €7 | €5.96 | + 15% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | €1.78 | €1.73 | + 3% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | €1.25 | €1.24 | + 1% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | €1.00 | €0.86 | + 17% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | €7 | €7 | + 3% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | €1.81 | €1.56 | + 16% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | €1.00 | €0.76 | + 31% | |
| Housing | + 3% | |||
| Housing in Barcelona (Spain) is about the same as in Madrid (Spain) | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | €1,485 | €1,426 | + 4% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | €1,094 | €1,010 | + 8% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | €132 | €138 | - 4% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | €1,075 | €1,005 | + 7% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | €755 | €718 | + 5% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | €92 | €88 | + 4% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | €30 | €32 | - 7% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | €342 | €343 | - 0% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | €87 | €93 | - 6% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | €9 | €7 | + 19% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | €11 | €10 | + 7% | |
| Clothes | + 1% | |||
| Clothes in Barcelona (Spain) is about the same as in Madrid (Spain) | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | €86 | €73 | + 17% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | €29 | €33 | - 11% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | €88 | €73 | + 20% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | €84 | €88 | - 5% | |
| Transportation | - 12% | |||
| Transportation in Barcelona (Spain) is 12% cheaper than in Madrid (Spain) | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | €24,065 | €25,296 | - 5% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | €1.25 | €1.31 | - 5% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | €41 | €54 | - 25% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | €21 | €15 | + 38% | |
| Personal Care | + 20% | |||
| Personal Care in Barcelona (Spain) is 20% more expensive than in Madrid (Spain) | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | €5.39 | €6 | - 16% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | €8 | €7 | + 25% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | €68 | €53 | + 27% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | €4.94 | €3.82 | + 29% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | €3.64 | €2.67 | + 37% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | €2.94 | €3.31 | - 11% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | €1.77 | €1.28 | + 38% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | €2.48 | €1.85 | + 34% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | €16 | €16 | + 1% | |
| Entertainment | - 1% | |||
| Entertainment in Barcelona (Spain) is about the same as in Madrid (Spain) | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | €33 | €29 | + 12% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | €17 | €18 | - 5% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | €66 | €46 | + 44% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | €48 | €45 | + 6% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | €10 | €11 | - 13% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | €2.43 | €3.04 | - 20% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | €4.02 | €4.29 | - 6% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | €503 | €527 | - 5% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | €0.33 | €0.34 | - 5% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | €49 | €51 | - 4% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | €5.02 | €5.02 | + 0% | |
| TOTAL | + 0% | |||
These prices were last updated on March 03, 2021.
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 4,166 prices entered by 651 different people.
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Cost of living in Barcelona (Spain) is about the same as in Madrid (Spain)
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