Cost of living in Barcelona, Spain vs Madrid, Spain
Currency:
| Food | + 9% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Barcelona (Spain) is 9% more expensive than in Madrid (Spain) | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | €15 | €14 | + 5% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | €8 | €8 | + 1% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | €3.81 | €3.49 | + 9% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | €0.89 | €0.80 | + 12% | |
| 12 eggs, large | €2.84 | €2.37 | + 20% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | €1.75 | €1.64 | + 7% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | €7 | €5.83 | + 16% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | €1.71 | €1.67 | + 3% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | €1.18 | €1.28 | - 8% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | €1.00 | €0.89 | + 13% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | €8 | €7 | + 9% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | €1.82 | €1.56 | + 17% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | €0.98 | €0.76 | + 29% | |
| Housing | + 2% | |||
| Housing in Barcelona (Spain) is about the same as in Madrid (Spain) | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | €1,505 | €1,412 | + 7% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | €1,077 | €1,005 | + 7% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | €125 | €143 | - 13% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | €1,074 | €1,043 | + 3% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | €767 | €723 | + 6% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | €93 | €95 | - 2% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | €30 | €34 | - 13% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | €341 | €348 | - 2% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | €89 | €99 | - 10% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | €8 | €7 | + 12% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | €11 | €10 | + 12% | |
| Clothes | + 8% | |||
| Clothes in Barcelona (Spain) is 8% more expensive than in Madrid (Spain) | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | €86 | €77 | + 13% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | €30 | €30 | + 2% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | €85 | €73 | + 16% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | €90 | €84 | + 6% | |
| 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 | €23,588 | €25,044 | - 6% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | €1.30 | €1.34 | - 3% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | €41 | €54 | - 24% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | €21 | €15 | + 39% | |
| Personal Care | + 12% | |||
| Personal Care in Barcelona (Spain) is 12% more expensive than in Madrid (Spain) | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | €5.74 | €7 | - 16% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | €8 | €8 | + 5% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | €63 | €55 | + 14% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | €4.87 | €4.07 | + 20% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | €3.31 | €2.42 | + 36% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | €2.83 | €2.93 | - 4% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | €1.61 | €1.24 | + 30% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | €2.13 | €1.75 | + 22% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | €15 | €17 | - 6% | |
| Entertainment | - 0% | |||
| Entertainment in Barcelona (Spain) is about the same as in Madrid (Spain) | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | €33 | €29 | + 13% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | €17 | €18 | - 5% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | €69 | €57 | + 21% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | €50 | €46 | + 8% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | €10 | €11 | - 6% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | €2.58 | €2.96 | - 13% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | €3.96 | €4.35 | - 9% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | €491 | €537 | - 8% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | €0.33 | €0.33 | + 0% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | €48 | €51 | - 5% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | €5.03 | €5.09 | - 1% | |
| TOTAL | - 0% | |||
These prices were last updated on January 23, 2021.
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 4,339 prices entered by 671 different people.
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Cost of living in Barcelona (Spain) is about the same as in Madrid (Spain)
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