Cost of living in Cartagena, Spain vs Iowa City, Iowa, United States
Currency:
Food | - 28% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Cartagena (Spain) is 28% cheaper than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) | ||||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | €11 ($13) | $14 | - 5% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | €6 ($8) | $7 | + 14% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | €2.81 ($3.39) | $4.70 | - 28% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | €0.71 ($0.86) | $0.86 | - 0% | |
12 eggs, large | €1.53 ($1.85) | $2.37 | - 22% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | €1.18 ($1.43) | $4.43 | - 68% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | €3.87 ($4.68) | $8 | - 39% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | €1.45 ($1.76) | $3.06 | - 43% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | €0.71 ($0.86) | $1.56 | - 45% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | €0.60 ($0.73) | $2.81 | - 74% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | €7 ($9) | $13 | - 33% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | €1.47 ($1.78) | $1.84 | - 3% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | €0.76 ($0.92) | $1.66 | - 44% | |
Housing | - 37% | |||
Housing in Cartagena (Spain) is 37% cheaper than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) | ||||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | €659 ($797) | $1,487 | - 46% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | €435 ($526) | $1,026 | - 49% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | €102 ($123) | $123 | + 0% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | €448 ($542) | $957 | - 43% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | €331 ($400) | $692 | - 42% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | €97 ($117) | $127 | - 8% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | €31 ($37) | $48 | - 22% | |
40” flat screen tv | €374 ($452) | $338 | + 34% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | €63 ($77) | $80 | - 4% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | €3.94 ($4.76) | $11 | - 58% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | €10 ($12) | $24 | - 51% | |
Clothes | + 20% | |||
Clothes in Cartagena (Spain) is 20% more expensive than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) | ||||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | €77 ($93) | $49 | + 92% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | €31 ($37) | $33 | + 12% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | €59 ($71) | $82 | - 13% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | €56 ($68) | $101 | - 33% | |
Transportation | + 11% | |||
Transportation in Cartagena (Spain) is 11% more expensive than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) | ||||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | €21,046 ($25,433) | $19,239 | + 32% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | €1.36 ($1.64) | $0.70 | + 135% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | €18 ($22) | $33 | - 32% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | €14 ($16) | $17 | - 0% | |
Personal Care | - 45% | |||
Personal Care in Cartagena (Spain) is 45% cheaper than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) | ||||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | €4.49 ($5.43) | $7 | - 22% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | €3.45 ($4.17) | $21 | - 80% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | €55 ($66) | $95 | - 30% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | €3.66 ($4.43) | $6 | - 31% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | €1.74 ($2.10) | $3.01 | - 30% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | €2.07 ($2.50) | $5.65 | - 56% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | €1.00 ($1.21) | $3.19 | - 62% | |
Tube of toothpaste | €1.63 ($1.96) | $1.79 | + 10% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | €10 ($12) | $20 | - 39% | |
Entertainment | - 15% | |||
Entertainment in Cartagena (Spain) is 15% cheaper than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) | ||||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | €24 ($29) | $34 | - 15% | |
2 tickets to the movies | €14 ($17) | $19 | - 12% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | €47 ($56) | $95 | - 41% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | €49 ($59) | $67 | - 12% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | €6 ($7) | $7 | + 8% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | €1.88 ($2.27) | $3.83 | - 41% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | €2.26 ($2.73) | $4.40 | - 38% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | - | $430 | - | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | €0.14 ($0.17) | $0.21 | - 17% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | €31 ($37) | $43 | - 14% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | €4.41 ($5.33) | $7 | - 26% | |
TOTAL | - 22% |

These prices were last updated on March 02, 2021.
Exchange rate:
1.208
USD
/
EUR
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Cost of living in Cartagena (Spain) is 22% cheaper than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States)
For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require $4,300 in Iowa City, Iowa you would need to make just about $3,368 (€2,787) in Cartagena.
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