Cost of Living in Barcelona

Is Barcelona expensive?

Although Barcelona is the second most expensive city in Spain, it only ranks 97th in Europe (Source: Numbeo). To put it in numbers, a family of four's estimated monthly costs — including rent — are around €4,905. For a single person, it's about €2,077.

Comparing this with other big cities, London is significantly more expensive, with a single person’s total monthly cost hitting around €3,875, making London about €1,798 pricier than Barcelona. On the other hand, Berlin is a bit more expensive than Barcelona, with monthly expenses for a single person totaling €2,277, which is €200 more than what you’d spend in Barcelona. That being said, Barcelona is considered expensive by locals because average wages are low compared to the cost of living and the rising rents.

Rent per month

Here's an idea of the average monthly rent in Barcelona depending on the size and location of the apartment (Source: Numbeo):

• Apartment (1 bedroom) in the city center: €1,260
• Apartment (1 bedroom) outside of center: €949
• Apartment (3 bedrooms) in the city center: €2,025
• Apartment (3 bedrooms) outside of center: €1,474

Barcelona's rent prices were hitting new highs in early 2024, which is almost a 10% jump from last year. Most neighborhoods are above €1,000 a month, with Sarrià-Sant Gervasi being the priciest. If you're looking for cheaper options, Nou Barris, Sant Andreu, and Horta-Guinardó are still under €1,000. But keep in mind, that rent is expected to keep going up, so it's a good idea to lock in a place sooner rather than later.

Best areas to live in Barcelona:

• Gràcia — Great for bohemian vibes and families, with lots of cafes, vintage shops, and a welcoming community.
• El Born — Perfect if you love history, with its old streets, museums, and lively nightlife.
• L’Eixample — Known for its beautiful architecture and being a popular, but pricier, residential area.
• Barceloneta — Ideal if you’re into nightlife and being close to the beach.

Up-and-coming areas:

• Poblenou — Recently transformed from an industrial area to a trendy neighborhood with cool housing and fun nightlife.
• Sant Antoni — A hip neighborhood with great brunch spots and a popular market, close to the action in El Raval.

Areas with potential downsides:

• El Raval — While it has an edgy vibe and lots of food options, it can be crowded, noisy, and less residential.
• Sants — Quiet and affordable, but it’s further from the city center, so not ideal if you want to be in the middle of everything.

How to find an apartment in Barcelona

Finding an apartment in Barcelona can be tricky, but you can make it easier if you follow some of these tips. Start by checking out sites like Idealista and Fotocasa, where you can filter listings by budget, location, and amenities. If you need a medium to long-term rental and want to skip in-person viewings, Spotahome lets you book online with video tours. If you are looking for a more local experience, Homestay is great for finding rooms with host families in neighborhoods like Gràcia and Eixample.

Timing is everything in Barcelona, especially if you're searching during the busy summer months. It's a good idea to start your search early and consider staying in a short-term rental through Blueground while you explore different neighborhoods. Be ready to act fast when you find something you like, as apartments go quickly here. Also, don’t hesitate to walk around neighborhoods and look for "For Rent" signs, or ask locals for tips — they often know about available places before they’re listed online.

If you need help with your housing search in Barcelona, we’re here to assist. We can provide you with a quote or connect you with our trusted partners who have successfully helped many of our users find housing in the city.

Property prices

The average price per square meter to buy an apartment in Barcelona is around (Source: Numbeo):

• City center: €5,469/sqm
• Outside of the city center: €3,915/sqm

If you're an expat looking to buy property in Barcelona, the market is recovering post-pandemic, so it’s a good time to consider a purchase. Prices have dipped slightly in recent years, with the average price per square meter around €3,995. Some areas, like Sarrià-Sant Gervasi (€5,449 per sq.m) and Eixample (€4,987 per sq.m), are more expensive. To buy, you’ll need a 30-40% down payment, plus taxes and fees. If you invest €500,000 or more in real estate, you could qualify for a Golden Visa, which grants residency.

To get started, make sure to get your Número de Identificación del Extranjero (NIE) — your foreigner identity number — which is required for any property purchase. For non-EU citizens, you'll need either a visa or a residency permit to live in your new home — but you are allowed to buy nonetheless. The Golden Visa is a popular option, but you need to meet the investment threshold. To find properties, check out sites like Idealista, Fotocasa, and Kyero.com. Spanish banks generally offer mortgages covering 60-70% of the purchase price, which can help with financing. Read more here about mortgage financing for foreigners.

Utilities

A big part of the Barcelona cost of living is the monthly utilities (Source: Numbeo):

• Basic utilities (electricity, heating, cooling, water, garbage) for 85m² apartment: €163
• Mobile phone monthly plan with calls and 10GB+ Data: €17
• Internet (60 Mbps or more, unlimited data, cable/ADSL): €35

These costs can add up over the year, but you can lower them by following these tips:

• Use off-peak electricity: Run appliances during off-peak hours (12 am - 6 am on weekdays, all day on weekends) to save. Check your plan with Energy Nordic.
• Switch to green energy: Providers like Energy Nordic offer affordable green energy options.
• Bundle services: Combine electricity, gas, and internet with one provider for discounts. Try Endesa or Total Energies.
• Set timers on appliances: Use timers to run appliances during cheaper off-peak times.
• Shop internet deals: Compare providers like Movistar and Avatel for the best packages.
• Monitor gas usage: Consider switching to a provider with better rates or a combined package with your electricity. Endesa is a reliable option.

Public transport

Getting around Barcelona is straightforward, with plenty of options such as the metro, trams, and FGC lines (trains) which are all well-connected, with colour-coded routes making navigation a breeze. For eco-friendly travel, hop on one of the city’s buses or rent a bike to explore over 200km of bike lanes. For airport transfers, you can choose a taxi, the budget-friendly Aerobus (€5.90 one way), or the Metro, which connects the airport to the city center via the L9 line. For more detailed info, check out the Barcelona metro map, and if you're planning to stay for a few days, the Hola Barcelona Card might be worth considering.

Travel ticket (Source: TMB):

• Hola Barcelona Travel Card 2 days: €17.50 — These travel cards are best for tourists staying for a limited number of days
• 3 days: €25.50
• 4 days: €33.30
• 5 days: €40.80
• T-usual Card: From €21.35 — unlimited travel for the whole month
• T-casual Card: From €12.15
• Single Ticket: €2.55
• Airport Ticket: €5.50

Taxi (Source: Numbeo):

• Taxi start (normal tariff): €3
• Taxi 1 km: €2
• Taxi 1 hour waiting: €25.30
• From the Airport to the city center: €35-45

Food

Grocery shopping in Barcelona can be both affordable and enjoyable if you know where to go. Supermarkets like Mercadona, Lidl, and Bonpreu offer great value for your everyday essentials, while discount supermarkets such as Dia and Aldi are excellent for budget shopping. For fresh produce, meats, and seafood, local markets like Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria, Mercat de Sant Antoni, and Mercat de la Concepció provide a wide variety of high-quality options at competitive prices. Cooking at home — which is a popular option — especially with seasonal products from these markets, can help you reduce your total cost of living in Barcelona. Here’s how much you should expect to spend in a month:

• For a single person: €100-€200
• For a couple: €200-€400
• For a family of four: €400-€700

Here’s a look at the typical prices for some common grocery items (Source: Numbeo):

• Milk (1 liter): €1
• Loaf of fresh white bread (500g): €1.70
• Rice (1kg): €1.60
• Eggs (12): €3
• Chicken fillets (1kg): €8.60
• Domestic beer (0.5 liter draught): €3.50

Childcare

In Spain, childcare options for young children start from 4 months old, with both public and private nurseries available. Public nurseries are government-subsidized and more affordable, but getting a spot can be competitive.

Here's a breakdown of your options (Source: Coming to Spain):

• Public Nurseries (Preschool):

  ◦ Age: 0 to 3 years old

  ◦ Cost: €150-€200 per month

  ◦ Schedule: Typically from 9 am to 1 pm, with an option to extend until 5 pm for an additional fee.

• Private Nurseries:

  ◦ Age: 0 to 3 years old

  ◦ Cost: Around €300 per month

  ◦ Schedule: Similar to public nurseries, with extended hours available.

• Mixed or "Centros Concertados":

  ◦ Cost: €100-€200 per month (does not include meals)

  ◦ Additional services: Some mixed schools offer extracurricular activities, which may include a small additional fee.

• Preschool (or Kindergarten), full day, private, monthly for 1 child: €593

For working parents, there's support available, like a tax deduction of up to €1,000 per year for working mothers to help with the cost of living in Barcelona. To register your child for nursery, you'll need to provide documents like the child's birth certificate and your ID (DNI or NIE). It’s also a good idea to visit nurseries during open days (April to June) to meet the staff, explore the facilities, and ask questions to help you choose the best option for your family. Read more about child support here.

International yearly school fees (Source: International Schools Database):

• St George Barcelona: €10,100-€19,100
• Barcelona High School: €15,900
• Benjamin Franklin International School: €12,580-€19,270
• Hamelin Laie International School: €10,500-€14,300
• American School of Barcelona: €14,600-€26,500
• The Olive Tree School: €8,600-€12,800
• Schweizerschule Barcelona: €7,000-€10,000
• International primary school, yearly for 1 child: €10,850

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