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Barcelona vs London

Barcelona runs about 61% cheaper than London for this household, a difference of 1,532 USD a month.

Barcelona
Barcelona
$2,519/month · Spain
dronepicr · CC BY 2.0
Palace of Westminster, Big Ben, and Westminster Bridge as seen from the south bank of the River Thames.
London
$4,050/month · United Kingdom
Terry Ott from Washington, DC Metro Area, United States of America · CC BY 2.0
Barcelona monthly
$2,519
Index 39 (NYC = 100)
London monthly
$4,050
Index 63 (NYC = 100)
Difference
+61%
London relative to Barcelona
Rent gap
$1,050
London costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

BarcelonaLondon
  • Housing
    Housing: Barcelona $1,550, London $2,600. Cheaper in Barcelona.
  • Food
    Food: Barcelona $531, London $617. Cheaper in Barcelona.
  • Transport
    Transport: Barcelona $67, London $282. Cheaper in Barcelona.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Barcelona $139, London $267. Cheaper in Barcelona.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Barcelona $35, London $8.03. Cheaper in London.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Barcelona $125, London $169. Cheaper in Barcelona.
  • Other
    Other: Barcelona $72, London $107. Cheaper in Barcelona.
Each row is one category priced in both cities for the same household. The bar is the gap; exact figures are in the table below.
Interactive — adjust the household

Full comparison

MetricBarcelonaLondon
Cost
Total monthly cost2,519 USD✓4,050 USD
Cost index (New York = 100)39✓63
Housing1,550 USD✓2,600 USD
Utilities139 USD✓267 USD
Food531 USD✓617 USD
Transport67 USD✓282 USD
Healthcare35 USD8 USD✓
Lifestyle125 USD✓169 USD
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr5,316 USD5,953 USD✓
Effective tax + social rate36.2%28.6%✓
Left over each month2,798 USD✓1,902 USD
Average local net salary1,900 USD3,600 USD✓
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre1,550 USD✓2,600 USD
3-bed rent, city centre2,800 USD✓5,200 USD
Buy price per m², centre7,200 USD✓15,000 USD
Quality of life
Safety62/10066/100✓
Healthcare84/10084/100
Air quality62/100✓60/100
Public transport90/10092/100✓
Walkability92/100✓90/100
English proficiency66/100100/100✓
Nightlife96/100✓94/100
Family friendliness78/100✓72/100
Median broadband215 Mbps✓90 Mbps
Climate
Average temperature17°C12°C✓
Summer high29°C23°C✓
Winter low7°C✓3°C
Sunshine hours per year2,520 h✓1,480 h
Annual rainfall600 mm600 mm
Practicalities
Remote-work visaYes✓No
Beach access10 min✓90 min
CurrencyEURGBP
Time zoneEurope/MadridEurope/London

Barcelona runs about 61% cheaper than London for this household, a difference of 1,532 USD a month.

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Go deeper

Cost of living in BarcelonaCost of living in LondonConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
Barcelona vs MilanBarcelona vs ParisBarcelona vs Berlin
FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Barcelona or London cheaper?

Barcelona runs about 61% cheaper than London for this household, a difference of 1,532 USD a month.

What salary do you need in London compared with Barcelona?

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $5,316 a month in Barcelona and $5,953 in London, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

Which has better quality of life, Barcelona or London?

Barcelona scores 62/100 on safety and 84/100 on healthcare; London scores 66 and 84. Barcelona averages 17°C against 12°C in London.