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Cost of living in Barcelona: Food, transport, and more
We bring you the cost of living in Barcelona in 2025. Do your calculations and move to the shores of the Mediterranean Sea!
If you’re considering moving to this Spanish city, keep reading the article we’ve prepared for you. You’ll discover the cost of living in Barcelona, how much money you’ll need for housing, food, transport, internet, and enjoying the activities available in this Mediterranean city.
Do the maths and decide if Barcelona is the perfect place to start your new work project, whether you can afford your stay as a student, or simply because you fancy a change of scenery and want to settle here. Benvingut a la Ciutat Condal!
Average cost of accommodation in Barcelona
The cost of living in Barcelona has one big factor: Rent. With sky-high prices, fewer people can afford to live alone in a flat, so many end up sharing. Although prices have stabilised in recent months after reaching historic highs, the reality is that rental supply remains scarce.
Let’s see average rental prices compared with other options such as colivings, hotels or Airbnb:
- Hotels: A night in a mid-range hotel in Barcelona, like Hotel Jazz in the city centre, costs between $100 and $150 (€95.50 and €143.25).
- Furnished apartments: If you prefer the independence of a flat, the average monthly rent ranges between $1,500 and $2,500 (€1,432 and €2,387).
- Colivings: Very popular among professionals and digital nomads, this option is cheaper than a flat. Prices range between $700 and $1,200 (€668 and €1,146), such as CoLiveIt Liceu, located in the lively Raval neighbourhood.
- Airbnb: Renting a room or flat through Airbnb near Plaça de Catalunya costs between $50 and $100 (€47.75 and €95.50) per night.
Cost of food in Barcelona
When shopping, the cost of food in Barcelona depends on the area. We used Caprabo supermarkets, one of the most well-known chains, as reference. Here are average prices for basic goods:
- Whole milk: One litre for $0.82 (€0.78)
- Rice: One-kilo pack costs $0.87 (€0.83)
- Apples: One kilo for $1.19 (€1.14)
- Bread: One loaf for $1.09 (€1.04)
- Eggs: A dozen for $2.18 (€2.08)
- Pasta: One-kilo pack for $1.09 (€1.04)
- Chicken: One kilo for $5.45 (€5.20)
- Beef: One kilo for about $10.90 (€10.41)
- Chocolate: A 100-gram bar for $1.64 (€1.57)
- Coffee: A 250-gram pack for $3.27 (€3.12)
And what about eating out in Barcelona? Local restaurants are cheaper since they target residents. But if you prefer central or tourist areas, prices are higher. We bring you a breakfast, lunch and dinner menu at different local restaurants:
| Restaurant | Food | Prices |
|---|---|---|
| Café El Magnífico, in the Born neighbourhood | Traditional Catalan breakfast with toast topped with tomato and ham, plus coffee | $5.45 (€5.20) |
| La Flauta Restaurant, located in Eixample | Daily menu, first course, second course, dessert and drink | $10.47–15.71 (€10–15) |
| Can Solé Restaurant, in Barceloneta | A common dinner is fideuá | $20.94 (€20.00) |
Here’s an example of meals:
Transport prices in Barcelona
Getting around the city is easy thanks to its wide transport network. The metro is the most used by locals as it’s the fastest and safest. Let’s compare the prices of metro, bus, taxi, Uber, bikes, new vehicles, and fuel. In this way, we add the cost of travel to the cost of living in Barcelona.
Public transport
The metro is Barcelona’s fastest and most efficient transport, reaching most districts and tourist spots. You can also choose to travel by bus. Here are the prices for both modes of transport:
- Single ticket: for $2.67 (€2.55) you can make a single journey without transfers.
- T-Casual card: $13.14 (€12.55), valid for 10 integrated journeys.
- T-Usual card: $23.04 (€22.00), unlimited monthly pass for one zone.
Taxi and Uber
Taxis in Barcelona use a meter, so prices vary with distance and time. On the other hand, Uber also operates in this city, and the difference between them varies depending on the distance travelled and demand at the time.
For example, a 15-minute, five-kilometre taxi ride in Barcelona would cost around $8.85 (€8.45). However, if you take the same journey in an Uber, the cost would be slightly lower, at $7.07 (€6.75).
Bike rentals
Another option for getting around Barcelona in a more environmentally friendly way is by bicycle. What’s more, the city is very well equipped for this mode of transport and has over 200 kilometres of cycle lanes. The company Bicing rents out bicycles at the following rates:
- Annual flat rate: Unlimited 30-minute rides for $68.06 (€65.00).
New vehicle and driving insurance
If you’re considering buying a new car, a common model in Spain is the Seat Ibiza. You can find the basic version starting at $15,706 (€15,000). As you add extras, the price increases, but it remains a practical and economical option for driving in Barcelona.
Within Barcelona’s cost of living, you also need to add the annual mandatory driving insurance policy. The insurer RACC specialises in new or recent cars, with policies from $272.25 (€260) up to $1,047 (€1,000), depending on the driver’s age, vehicle model, experience, and other factors.
Fuel
A monthly cost you’ll need to add to Barcelona’s living expenses is fuel for your car, whether petrol or electric charging. Here’s an approximation of current prices:
- Petrol price: About $1.57 (€1.50) per litre.
- Price per kWh for electric cars: $0.21 (€0.20) per kWh.
Cost of living in Barcelona: Healthcare costs
In Catalonia, which includes Barcelona, Social Security offers free healthcare to citizens regardless of legal status. To access these services, you need to obtain the Individual Health Card (TSI), which grants access to a GP and subsidised medicines.
Foreigners registered in this community also have the right to receive this card, even if they don’t meet Social Security requirements.
For private health insurance, you’ll find multiple options, some very affordable, like Sanitas starting at $19.89 (€19.00) monthly, with access to medical centres and private hospitals. Without this type of insurance, private consultations are quite expensive.
| Medical service | Rates |
|---|---|
| General medical consultation | $50-100 (€47.75-95.50) |
| Consultation with a specialist | $80-200 (€76.40-121) |
| Emergency care (without hospitalisation) | $100-500 (€95.50-477.51) |
| Day of hospitalisation | $800-1,500 (€764-1,432) |
| Appendicitis surgery: | $3,000-6,000 (€2,865-5,730) |
| Dental treatment (cleaning and filling) | $80-200 (€76.40-121) |
| Paracetamol (500 mg): | $2.09 (€2.00) |
| Ibuprofen (600 mg): | $3.14 (€3.00) |
Prices of medical services in private clinics.
Internet and call plan prices
Living in this city means adding part of your budget to connectivity costs within Barcelona’s cost of living. Several operators in this area offer different subscription plans for home fibre and mobile data.
- Movistar: 600 Mbps fibre – $52.36 (€50.00) per month
- Vodafone: 300 Mbps fibre – $47.12 (€45.00) per month
- Orange: 20 GB data + unlimited calls – $26.18 (€25.00) per month
- Yoigo: 40 GB data + unlimited calls – $31.13 (€30.00) per month
To guarantee optimal coverage across the city, unlimited data, and a secure 5G connection in more than 170 destinations, the best option is Holafly’s monthly plans.
Installation is quick and easy via the app, plus you can travel to other countries without changing your SIM. Choose the plan that fits your needs:
- Light Plan 25 GB: Make video calls, use collaborative platforms, and download files on any device. Its extra capacity lets you enjoy more flexibility than the basic plan, at a very convenient price: only $49.90.
- Unlimited Plan: The most complete choice, ideal for remote workers and people needing constant connection on multiple devices. With it, you won’t worry about data usage for $64.90.
- With Holafly, you can also get unlimited data through an eSIM for Barcelona. Choose the days you need, without changing SIM cards or paying roaming fees.
Important: If you are a frequent traveler and want to stay connected without worrying about expensive roaming or looking for a new SIM at every destination, Holafly’s subscription plans are for you. With a single eSIM, enjoy internet in more than 170 countries for a fixed price and no surprises on your bill. Travel without limits and connect easily and securely! 🚀🌍
Cost living in Barcelona: leisure
Finally, let’s check Barcelona’s cost of living for leisure activities available in the city. You can enjoy top tourist attractions like Gaudí’s famous Park Güell or the impressive Sagrada Familia cathedral.
One way to save is buying a tourist card like Hola Barcelona, which includes discounts on public transport, museum entries and attractions from $15.71 to $16.65 (€15–€35). Here’s how much leisure in this Catalan city may cost:
- Cinema ticket: From $8.38 (€8.00), depending on the cinema and session.
- Zoo ticket: Barcelona Zoo admission starts at $22.00 (€21.00).
- Theatre ticket: Prices range $15.71-52.36 (€15-50).
- Streaming platforms: Services like Netflix start at $7.25 (€6.99) monthly.
- TV subscription: Cable or satellite services begin at $31.41 (€30.00) monthly.
- Sagrada Familia: General tickets from $27.22 (€26.00).
- Güell parks: Entrance general around $10.47 (€10.00).
- Casa Batlló: Tickets from $26.18 (€25.00).
- Festival Sonar 2025: Ticket for 13–15 June from $219.89 (€210).
That’s our overview of Barcelona’s main economic expenses. Compared with European cities like London or Paris, costs for rent, transport, food, and leisure are cheaper. However, it remains one of Spain’s most expensive cities, though also one of the best for quality of life. And you, have you fallen in love with the city?
