Cost of living in Barcelona (Spain) is 4% cheaper than in Madrid (Spain)
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This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 2,389 prices entered by 406 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | - 3% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Barcelona (Spain) is about the same as in Madrid (Spain) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Barcelona | Madrid | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | €16 | €18 | - 9% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | €9 | €9 | + 2% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | €3.38 | €3.85 | - 12% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | €0.93 | €0.94 | - 1% | |
| 12 eggs, large | €2.92 | €2.57 | + 14% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | €1.60 | €1.78 | - 10% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | €5.76 | €5.51 | + 4% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | €1.72 | €1.96 | - 12% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | €1.66 | €1.05 | + 58% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | €1.02 | €1.07 | - 5% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | €7 | €7 | - 1% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | €1.97 | €1.83 | + 7% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | €0.73 | €0.84 | - 14% | |
| Housing | + 4% | |||
| Housing in Barcelona (Spain) is 4% more expensive than in Madrid (Spain) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Barcelona | Madrid | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | €1,518 | €1,443 | + 5% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | €1,090 | €962 | + 13% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | €135 | €148 | - 9% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | €1,002 | €968 | + 3% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | €747 | €692 | + 8% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | €98 | €120 | - 19% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | €30 | €28 | + 8% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | €408 | €367 | + 11% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | €107 | €85 | + 26% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | €8 | €9 | - 12% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | €11 | €11 | - 1% | |
| Clothes | + 15% | |||
| Clothes in Barcelona (Spain) is 15% more expensive than in Madrid (Spain) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Barcelona | Madrid | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | €70 | €75 | - 6% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | €42 | €28 | + 48% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | €92 | €80 | + 16% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | €83 | €104 | - 21% | |
| Transportation | - 13% | |||
| Transportation in Barcelona (Spain) is 13% cheaper than in Madrid (Spain) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Barcelona | Madrid | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | €25,102 | €24,406 | + 3% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | €1.85 | €1.83 | + 1% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | €41 | €50 | - 19% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | €16 | €27 | - 40% | |
| Personal Care | + 23% | |||
| Personal Care in Barcelona (Spain) is 23% more expensive than in Madrid (Spain) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Barcelona | Madrid | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | €9 | €4.18 | + 104% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | €6 | €5.51 | + 11% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | €57 | €42 | + 34% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | €4.53 | €3.40 | + 33% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | €2.41 | €2.03 | + 19% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | €2.57 | €1.95 | + 32% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | €1.76 | €1.87 | - 5% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | €1.95 | €2.09 | - 6% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | €19 | €19 | - 1% | |
| Entertainment | - 15% | |||
| Entertainment in Barcelona (Spain) is 15% cheaper than in Madrid (Spain) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Barcelona | Madrid | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | €35 | €39 | - 12% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | €18 | €18 | - 2% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | €36 | €61 | - 40% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | €50 | €48 | + 4% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | €12 | €12 | + 3% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | €3.55 | €3.51 | + 1% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | €4.26 | €4.98 | - 14% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | €462 | €523 | - 12% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | €0.18 | €0.40 | - 55% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | €57 | €46 | + 25% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | €5.57 | €5.21 | + 7% | |
 |
TOTAL | - 4% | ||
These prices were last updated on September 25, 2022.
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 2,389 prices entered by 406 different people.
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