The real cost of living in Barcelona in 2022

There’s practically every reason you will want to and enjoy living in Barcelona. Catalonia’s capital offers stunning beaches, incredible architecture, buzzing nightlife, and unparalleled quality of life.

Not to mention its outstanding football team, FC Barcelona, one of the most followed football teams in the world. With all these and plenty more, living in Barcelona makes you feel like you’re in the heart of the universe.

But how cheap or expensive is it to live in Barcelona, Spain? This guide breaks down the real cost of living in Barcelona in 2022.

Accommodation

Rent is one of the most important things to consider before moving to this Catalonia city. In terms of rental prices, Barcelona is the second most expensive Spanish city after Madrid.

Barcelona saw a tremendous rental rate increase one decade after the housing bubble burst. This has been fueled by the marketing of the city, urban entrepreneurialism, evictions, and household debt, among other factors.

Unfurnished rentals are the most popular housing type, but you will also find studios, hostels, apart-hostels, and several furnished apartments throughout the city.

The rent rates near the city center are higher than outside of the city. Here are the average monthly rental rates in Barcelona in 2022:

• A 1-bedroom apartment in the city center goes for about $1,000
• A 1-bedroom apartment outside of the city center sets you back about $700
• A 3-bedroom apartment in the city center goes for about $1,600
• A 3-bedroom apartment outside of the city center costs about $1,300

Utilities

Utilities are not cheap in Barcelona. However, they’re not as expensive as you’d expect in other cities like New York. Do note that, unlike in other cities, rent in Barcelona rarely includes utilities.

Here’s what you should expect to pay for utilities in Barcelona:

• 100 KWh of electricity: $28.50 (inclusive of tax service charges)
• Natural gas: $14.93/KWh (inclusive of taxes and other standing charges)
• Prepaid mobile local tariff: $0.18/min (no discounts or plans)
• Internet, 60 Mbps, unlimited data, cable/ADSL: $36.87

Food

Barcelona is a magical destination for foodies. There are a host of amazing cafes and restaurants spread across the enchanting city of Spain.

While food prices can vary, the average food prices in Barcelona are lower than in the United States. Below are the prices of the most common food items in Barcelona in 2022:

• Meal, expensive restaurant: $13.00
• Three courses, middle-class restaurant: $9.00
• Potatoes, 2 kg: $1.66
• Local cheese, 500 gr: $5.76
• Whole fat milk, 1 liter: $0.93
• 1 loaf of fresh white bread:  $0.73
• Regular cappuccino: $2.27
• Water, 1-liter bottle: $0.93
• Domestic beer, 0.5-liter bottle: $1.02
• Imported beer, 0.33-liter bottle: $3.50
• Coca-Cola, 2 liters: $1.97

Transportation

Barcelona has one of the most developed transport networks in the world. There are many different public transit services in the city, including buses, trams, metro, and even suburban trains.

The best way to get around the city is by bus. Barcelona has more than 230 bus lines connecting different parts of the city. The bus network is the backbone of the city’s operations.

Check out these average prices for public transport in Barcelona in 2022:

• Local transport ticket (one-way trip): $2.47
• Monthly ticket local transport (regular price): $41.6
• Taxi ride, 8km or 5 mi: $17.8
• Gas/petrol, 1 L or 0.26 gal: $1.91

Sports and Leisure

The gorgeous city of Barcelona is filled with breathtaking parks, gyms or fitness clubs, concerts, and plenty more. There is no shortage of sports and leisure activities in the city.

Cost is average for the vast majority of these activities. On average, expect to pay the following average prices for sports and leisure:

• Gym membership, 1 month: $42.15
• Tennis court rent, 1 hour on weekend: $21.48
• Cinema ticket, 1 person: $9.23

Clothing and Shoes

Barcelona is one of the leading shopping centers in Europe. The city’s three-mile “shopping line” along the Las Ramblas pedestrian pathway is open all week long.

Clothing and shoes are very affordable in Barcelona, especially at stores like Zara and Primark. Here are what prices for clothing and shoes look like in Barcelona:

• 1 pair of jeans (Levis 501 or equivalent): $66.28
• 1 summer dress in a premium chain store like Zara and H&M: $37.18
• 1 pair of sports shoes (Nike, Adidas, or similar brands): $72.62
• 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes: $96.15

Personal Care

Living in a new city requires you to find new cosmetic and makeup stores to entrust with your personal care. Fortunately, Barcelona offers plenty of great quality cosmetics and makeup stores.

From MiiN Korean Cosmetics to Amapola Biocosmetics to Lush Cosmetics, there are very many famous spaces to choose from.

Cost is low for personal grooming or beautification products such as toiletries, hair care, and cosmetics. Here’s what you should expect to pay for personal care:

• Toilet paper, 4 rolls: $1.35
• Toothpaste, 1 tube: $1.98
• Men’s haircut, standard: $16.7
• Hair shampoo: $2.91
• Cold medicine (Tylenol, Frenadol, or similar brands), 1 week: $6.93
• Antibiotics, 12 doses: $5

Conclusion

If you’re seriously considering living in Barcelona, make sure you have a good grasp of the cost of living in this Catalan city. With our guide, we hope you now have a rough idea of how much you need to lead a comfortable life down here.