Cost of Living in Barcelona

"The cost of living in Barcelona is generally considered to be quite high compared to other cities in Spain. Rent prices are particularly high, with the average one-bedroom apartment costing around €800-€1,000 per month. Groceries and other everyday items are also more expensive than in other parts of the country. Eating out can be quite expensive, with a meal for two in a mid-range restaurant costing around €50. Public transportation is relatively affordable, with a single ticket costing €2.20," explained one expat living in Barcelona.

"Living in Barcelona can be significantly cheaper than living in the United States. The cost of living in Barcelona is generally lower than in the US, with rent, groceries, and transportation being much more affordable. Additionally, the cost of entertainment and leisure activities is often lower in Barcelona than in the US. As a result, many people find that they can save money by living in Barcelona compared to the US," explained one expat.

"To buy a similar property in London would be around double and rates in the UK are very high. However, the costs involved in buying a property here is very expensive compared to UK, for example, an estate agent here takes 10% commission compared to 1.5% in UK. Stamp duty here is 7%, in UK it is only payable on properties over a certain level and even then is only around 2%. Capital Gains Tax is also payable on selling property here, even if this is your only residence, unlike UK. Therefore buying and selling property in Spain is not a fast way to make money, unlike in UK. Otherwise, most other things here are cheaper, like utitilites (except telephone which is very expensive). Barcelona has become very fashionable in last few years and prices have risen dramatically, and cost of living is way out of balance with average salaries which are 50% - 75% lower than London," wrote a person living in Barcelona.

"The average cost of housing in Barcelona is generally quite high. Prices for apartments and houses in the city center can range from €1,500 to €3,000 per month, while prices for properties in the suburbs can range from €800 to €1,500 per month. Additionally, the cost of renting a room in a shared apartment can range from €400 to €800 per month," explained one expat living in Barcelona.

"The rental price for a nice 1 bedroom apartment in Barcelona, can range from around $1,000 to $2,000 per month. For a nice 2 bedroom apartment, the rental price can range from around $1,500 to $3,000 per month," mentioned one expat in Barcelona.

"Rental properties in Barcelona typically include a refrigerator, stove, oven, washing machine, and dishwasher. Additionally, some properties may include a microwave, toaster, and coffee maker," mentioned one expat in Barcelona.