Cost of living in Barcelona, Spain vs Madrid, Spain
Currency:
| Food | + 4% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Barcelona (Spain) is 4% more expensive than in Madrid (Spain) | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | €14 | €13 | + 2% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | €8 | €8 | + 1% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | €3.34 | €3.41 | - 2% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | €0.92 | €0.82 | + 11% | |
| 12 eggs, large | €3.02 | €2.30 | + 32% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | €1.60 | €1.86 | - 14% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | €6 | €6 | - 0% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | €1.63 | €1.86 | - 12% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | €1.10 | €1.13 | - 3% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | €0.88 | €0.84 | + 5% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | €7 | €6 | + 16% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | €1.64 | €1.64 | - 0% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | €0.96 | €0.78 | + 24% | |
| Housing | + 6% | |||
| Housing in Barcelona (Spain) is 6% more expensive than in Madrid (Spain) | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | €1,510 | €1,440 | + 5% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | €1,107 | €1,021 | + 8% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | €126 | €121 | + 4% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | €1,054 | €1,004 | + 5% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | €768 | €695 | + 11% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | €90 | €83 | + 9% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | €31 | €28 | + 9% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | €429 | €347 | + 24% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | €77 | €86 | - 10% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | €7 | €8 | - 9% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | €11 | €11 | + 7% | |
| Clothes | + 6% | |||
| Clothes in Barcelona (Spain) is 6% more expensive than in Madrid (Spain) | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | €81 | €79 | + 2% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | €33 | €31 | + 4% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | €94 | €79 | + 19% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | €104 | €92 | + 13% | |
| Transportation | - 5% | |||
| Transportation in Barcelona (Spain) is 5% cheaper than in Madrid (Spain) | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | €23,046 | €23,002 | + 0% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | €1.36 | €1.34 | + 1% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | €47 | €52 | - 9% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | €13 | €14 | - 3% | |
| Personal Care | + 11% | |||
| Personal Care in Barcelona (Spain) is 11% more expensive than in Madrid (Spain) | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | €7 | €8 | - 15% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | €9 | €8 | + 8% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | €66 | €69 | - 5% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | €4.14 | €3.97 | + 4% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | €3.56 | €2.35 | + 52% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | €3.59 | €2.59 | + 39% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | €1.73 | €1.83 | - 5% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | €2.36 | €1.66 | + 43% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | €19 | €14 | + 39% | |
| Entertainment | + 7% | |||
| Entertainment in Barcelona (Spain) is 7% more expensive than in Madrid (Spain) | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | €35 | €30 | + 13% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | €18 | €18 | + 0% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | €57 | €50 | + 14% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | €50 | €46 | + 7% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | €11 | €12 | - 11% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | €2.59 | €2.92 | - 11% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | €4.65 | €4.30 | + 8% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | €431 | €442 | - 3% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | €0.18 | €0.16 | + 9% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | €56 | €46 | + 20% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | €5.02 | €5.08 | - 1% | |
| TOTAL | + 3% | |||
These prices were last updated on January 24, 2020.
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 5,389 prices entered by 816 different people.
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Cost of living in Barcelona (Spain) is about the same as in Madrid (Spain)
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