Cost of living in Barcelona, Spain (Spain) is 5% more expensive than in Madrid (Spain)
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This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 2,375 prices entered by 300 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | + 8% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Barcelona, Spain (Spain) is 8% more expensive than in Madrid (Spain) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Barcelona, Spain | Madrid | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | €19 | €18 | + 4% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | €12 | €10 | + 13% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | €4.33 | €3.86 | + 12% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | €1.06 | €1.05 | + 0% | |
| 12 eggs, large | €3.19 | €3.22 | - 1% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | €2.15 | €2.15 | - 0% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | €8 | €7 | + 8% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | €2.19 | €2.43 | - 10% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | €1.67 | €1.69 | - 1% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | €1.31 | €1.13 | + 16% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | €8 | €8 | + 8% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | €2.25 | €1.97 | + 15% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | €1.21 | €0.91 | + 33% | |
| Housing | + 9% | |||
| Housing in Barcelona, Spain (Spain) is 9% more expensive than in Madrid (Spain) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Barcelona, Spain | Madrid | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | €2,064 | €1,870 | + 10% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | €1,439 | €1,287 | + 12% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | €142 | €105 | + 34% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | €1,360 | €1,295 | + 5% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | €943 | €891 | + 6% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | €91 | €75 | + 21% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | €30 | €28 | + 9% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | €300 | €314 | - 5% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | €102 | €101 | + 1% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | €9 | €9 | - 2% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | €14 | €12 | + 14% | |
| Clothes | + 23% | |||
| Clothes in Barcelona, Spain (Spain) is 23% more expensive than in Madrid (Spain) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Barcelona, Spain | Madrid | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | €75 | €74 | + 1% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | €45 | €29 | + 57% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | €96 | €80 | + 21% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | €99 | €90 | + 9% | |
| Transportation | - 5% | |||
| Transportation in Barcelona, Spain (Spain) is 5% cheaper than in Madrid (Spain) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Barcelona, Spain | Madrid | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | €28,140 | €29,231 | - 4% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | €1.57 | €1.60 | - 2% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | €30 | €31 | - 4% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | €16 | €20 | - 18% | |
| Personal Care | - 6% | |||
| Personal Care in Barcelona, Spain (Spain) is 6% cheaper than in Madrid (Spain) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Barcelona, Spain | Madrid | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | €5.02 | €9 | - 47% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | €9 | €8 | + 8% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | €63 | €56 | + 13% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | €5.55 | €3.64 | + 52% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | €2.73 | €3.44 | - 21% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | €2.88 | €3.72 | - 22% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | €1.82 | €2.07 | - 12% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | €2.42 | €2.55 | - 5% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | €24 | €18 | + 36% | |
| Entertainment | + 4% | |||
| Entertainment in Barcelona, Spain (Spain) is about the same as in Madrid (Spain) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Barcelona, Spain | Madrid | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | €40 | €41 | - 1% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | €18 | €19 | - 4% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | €44 | €51 | - 13% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | €57 | €56 | + 1% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | €12 | €13 | - 6% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | €3.65 | €3.66 | - 0% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | €7 | €5.51 | + 19% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | €461 | €499 | - 8% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | €0.30 | €0.26 | + 15% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | €62 | €61 | + 2% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | €6 | €5.65 | + 7% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 5% | ||
These prices were last updated on April 17, 2025.
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 2,375 prices entered by 300 different people.
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