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Stockholm vs Barcelona

Barcelona runs about 8% cheaper than Stockholm for this household, a difference of 219 USD a month.

Vaulted cellar room under the ruins of the Black Friars’ Cloister SvartbrödraklostretPlace: Old Town, Stockholm, Sweden
Stockholm
$2,735/month · Sweden
Jacob Truedson Demitz for Ristesson Ent · Public domain
Barcelona
Barcelona
$2,515/month · Spain
dronepicr · CC BY 2.0
Stockholm monthly
$2,735
Index 43 (NYC = 100)
Barcelona monthly
$2,515
Index 39 (NYC = 100)
Difference
-8%
Barcelona relative to Stockholm
Rent gap
$50
Stockholm costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

StockholmBarcelona
  • Housing
    Housing: Stockholm $1,600, Barcelona $1,550. Cheaper in Barcelona.
  • Food
    Food: Stockholm $587, Barcelona $531. Cheaper in Barcelona.
  • Transport
    Transport: Stockholm $155, Barcelona $67. Cheaper in Barcelona.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Stockholm $151, Barcelona $136. Cheaper in Barcelona.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Stockholm $17, Barcelona $35. Cheaper in Stockholm.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Stockholm $142, Barcelona $125. Cheaper in Barcelona.
  • Other
    Other: Stockholm $84, 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

MetricStockholmBarcelona
Cost
Total monthly cost2,735 USD2,515 USD✓
Cost index (New York = 100)4339✓
Housing1,600 USD1,550 USD✓
Utilities151 USD136 USD✓
Food587 USD531 USD✓
Transport155 USD67 USD✓
Healthcare17 USD✓35 USD
Lifestyle142 USD125 USD✓
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr5,115 USD5,316 USD✓
Effective tax + social rate38.6%36.2%✓
Left over each month2,380 USD2,801 USD✓
Average local net salary3,100 USD✓1,900 USD
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre1,600 USD1,550 USD✓
3-bed rent, city centre3,000 USD2,800 USD✓
Buy price per m², centre8,500 USD7,200 USD✓
Quality of life
Safety84/100✓62/100
Healthcare88/100✓84/100
Air quality90/100✓62/100
Public transport92/100✓90/100
Walkability90/10092/100✓
English proficiency96/100✓66/100
Nightlife80/10096/100✓
Family friendliness94/100✓78/100
Median broadband230 Mbps✓215 Mbps
Climate
Average temperature8°C✓17°C
Summer high23°C✓29°C
Winter low-4°C7°C✓
Sunshine hours per year1,820 h2,520 h✓
Annual rainfall540 mm✓600 mm
Practicalities
Remote-work visaNoYes✓
Beach access25 min10 min✓
CurrencySEKEUR
Time zoneEurope/StockholmEurope/Madrid

Barcelona runs about 8% cheaper than Stockholm for this household, a difference of 219 USD a month.

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Cost of living in StockholmCost of living in BarcelonaConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
Stockholm vs LisbonStockholm vs MadridStockholm vs Copenhagen
FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Stockholm or Barcelona cheaper?

Barcelona runs about 8% cheaper than Stockholm for this household, a difference of 219 USD a month.

What salary do you need in Barcelona compared with Stockholm?

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $5,115 a month in Stockholm and $5,316 in Barcelona, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

Which has better quality of life, Stockholm or Barcelona?

Stockholm scores 84/100 on safety and 88/100 on healthcare; Barcelona scores 62 and 84. Stockholm averages 8°C against 17°C in Barcelona.