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Berlin vs Barcelona

Barcelona runs about 16% cheaper than Berlin for this household, a difference of 489 USD a month.

Exterior of Fotografiska Berlin on Oranienburger Straße showing the front facade of the building. ©PionStudio
Berlin
$3,008/month · Germany
Shaysd · CC BY-SA 4.0
Barcelona
Barcelona
$2,519/month · Spain
dronepicr · CC BY 2.0
Berlin monthly
$3,008
Index 47 (NYC = 100)
Barcelona monthly
$2,519
Index 39 (NYC = 100)
Difference
-16%
Barcelona relative to Berlin
Rent gap
$100
Barcelona costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

BerlinBarcelona
  • Housing
    Housing: Berlin $1,450, Barcelona $1,550. Cheaper in Berlin.
  • Food
    Food: Berlin $558, Barcelona $531. Cheaper in Barcelona.
  • Transport
    Transport: Berlin $195, Barcelona $67. Cheaper in Barcelona.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Berlin $242, Barcelona $139. Cheaper in Barcelona.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Berlin $327, Barcelona $35. Cheaper in Barcelona.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Berlin $120, Barcelona $125. Cheaper in Berlin.
  • Other
    Other: Berlin $115, Barcelona $72. 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

MetricBerlinBarcelona
Cost
Total monthly cost3,008 USD2,519 USD✓
Cost index (New York = 100)4739✓
Housing1,450 USD✓1,550 USD
Utilities242 USD139 USD✓
Food558 USD531 USD✓
Transport195 USD67 USD✓
Healthcare327 USD35 USD✓
Lifestyle120 USD✓125 USD
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr4,965 USD5,316 USD✓
Effective tax + social rate40.4%36.2%✓
Left over each month1,958 USD2,798 USD✓
Average local net salary2,700 USD✓1,900 USD
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre1,450 USD✓1,550 USD
3-bed rent, city centre2,700 USD✓2,800 USD
Buy price per m², centre7,800 USD7,200 USD✓
Quality of life
Safety68/100✓62/100
Healthcare84/10084/100
Air quality70/100✓62/100
Public transport90/10090/100
Walkability88/10092/100✓
English proficiency78/100✓66/100
Nightlife94/10096/100✓
Family friendliness78/10078/100
Median broadband140 Mbps215 Mbps✓
Climate
Average temperature11°C✓17°C
Summer high25°C✓29°C
Winter low-1°C7°C✓
Sunshine hours per year1,630 h2,520 h✓
Annual rainfall570 mm✓600 mm
Practicalities
Remote-work visaYesYes
Beach accessNone nearby10 min✓
CurrencyEUREUR
Time zoneEurope/BerlinEurope/Madrid

Barcelona runs about 16% cheaper than Berlin for this household, a difference of 489 USD a month.

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Cost of living in BerlinCost of living in BarcelonaConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
Berlin vs LisbonBerlin vs MadridBerlin vs Milan
FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Berlin or Barcelona cheaper?

Barcelona runs about 16% cheaper than Berlin for this household, a difference of 489 USD a month.

What salary do you need in Barcelona compared with Berlin?

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $4,965 a month in Berlin and $5,316 in Barcelona, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

Which has better quality of life, Berlin or Barcelona?

Berlin scores 68/100 on safety and 84/100 on healthcare; Barcelona scores 62 and 84. Berlin averages 11°C against 17°C in Barcelona.