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Studying abroad is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Each and every student tries to plan their study abroad journey perfectly but without a proper estimate of the cost of living in a foreign country it can be extremely difficult to plan effectively. So in today’s blog, we are going to provide you with some detailed insight related to the average cost of living in Barcelona.
This blog will be extremely important if you are planning to study in Barcelona. It will help you get an idea of the cost of living in Barcelona, such as food costs, housing rent, monthly local transportation costs, healthcare for general checkups, grocery costs, and overall affordability. So sit tight and continue reading to uncover some detailed information related to this topic.
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Cost of Living in Barcelona
Barcelona, a dynamic city in Spain, is famous for its stunning architecture, culture, history, modernity, prestigious Universities and football. Moreover, this vibrant city has its own living expenses, and the average cost of living in Barcelona for a person is around EUR 778 without rent.
There are numerous kinds of costs that can be associated with living in Barcelona, and different students or individuals can have different kinds of lifestyles, so we are going to cover some of the essentials first, but before that, have a glance at an overview of various expenses:
| Service in Barcelona | Approx Cost |
| Private Room (1 bedroom) | EUR 960 to EUR 1,241 |
| Meal (Inexpensive Restaurant) | EUR 15 |
| One-way ticket local transport | EUR 2.50 |
| Gasoline (1 Litre) | EUR 1.68 |
| Utilities Basic (Electricity, Heating/Cooling, Garbage, etc) | EUR 155 |
Also Read: Cost of Living in Cuba: A Comprehensive Guide on Cuba’s Expense
Now that you have a brief overview of the cost of living in Barcelona in various categories, let’s move further and examine the comprehensive costs in detail.
Cost of Accommodations in Barcelona
The biggest hurdle while living in Barcelona can be getting accommodation, as living in an upscale city like Barcelona comes at a cost. The most expensive areas are Ciutat Vella, Sarriá-Sant Gervasi, and Sant Martí where average rent can be between EUR 15 and EUR 17 per square metre, while the cheapest areas like Horta-Guinardó or Nou Barris, where rent can range between EUR 11 and EUR 12 per square meter.
There isn’t much difference, so you can expect a decent accommodation option for about EUR 900 to 1500, which is a major part of your cost of living in Barcelona. To assist with this decision-making process, we have compiled average housing cost data for various apartments located both within and outside the city centre of Barcelona.
| Apartment Type | Location | Approx. Monthly Cost |
| 1 bedroom | in the City Centre | EUR 1,241 |
| 3 bedrooms | in the City Centre | EUR 2,104 |
| 1 bedroom | Outside of Centre | EUR 960 |
| 3 bedrooms | Outside of Centre | EUR 1,524 |
Cost of Grocery in Barcelona
On average, the total cost of groceries a person’s cost in Barcelona might be around EUR 67, considering each grocery item at a single unit measurement. The grocery costs include the cost of bread, milk, water, vegetables, fruit, and other eatable items. The costs of these groceries in Barcelona are often lower than the overall cost of living in Barcelona.The table below lists the average cost of groceries in Barcelona:
| Grocery Item | Approx Cost |
| Milk (regular), (1 liter) | EUR 1.04 |
| Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) | EUR 1.47 |
| Rice (white), (1kg) | EUR 1.46 |
| Eggs (regular) (12) | EUR 2.81 |
| Apples (1kg) | EUR 2.04 |
| Banana (1kg) | EUR 1.72 |
| Oranges (1kg) | EUR 1.7 |
| Tomato (1kg) | EUR 2.37 |
| Potato (1kg) | EUR 1.59 |
| Onion (1kg) | EUR 1.6 |
| Lettuce (1 head) | EUR 1.07 |
| Water (1.5 liter bottle) | EUR 0.77 |
Cost of Food in Barcelona
Now this completely depends on your eating habits as food can cost very differently for each and every individual. A basic lunch in the district usually costs around EUR 14.1, whereas a three-course meal for two individuals costs around EUR 60 only if you get it from a mid-range restaurant. You can also get a cappuccino here for EUR 1.70.
Dining out in the city of Barcelona can be both enjoyable and reasonably priced, although costs can vary significantly depending on factors such as restaurant location, and cuisine type. Frequent dining out can contribute to a higher cost of living in Barcelona for students, as restaurant meals are generally more costly compared to home-cooked meals.
Cost of Transportation in Barcelona
Barcelona offers good transportation options, such as buses and trains, that are fast and reliable. The overall cost of living in Barcelona includes transportation costs. However, the cheapest way to use public transportation is to buy a 10-ride ticket, which costs around EUR 11.35, or a monthly pass, which starts at EUR 22 for 1 zone.
There is also another cheap alternative where you can use a public bicycle for EUR 50 yearly. Lastly, for cabs, you can expect a fair of EUR 6 to 10 for a short ride inside the city. Take an overview of a comprehensive understanding of travelling around Barcelona city comfortably.
| Mode of Transport | Approx Cost |
| Ticket for Monthly Pass in a Public transport | EUR 32.4 |
| Ticket for Local Public transport | EUR 2.32 |
| Local tariff for the Taxi Ride of 8 km | EUR 18.9 |
| 1 L or 0.26 gal Gas / Petrol | EUR 1.68 |
Miscellaneous Costs in Barcelona
When living in Barcelona, it’s important to budget for more than accommodation, food and transportation. There are some other expenses that need to be considered such as gym membership, movie tickets, clothes and occasional Doctor visits. These additional costs can add up over time, so it’s important to include them in your financial planning for the cost of living in Barcelona.
These expenses will vary based on individual lifestyle choices and preferences. Over time, these costs can significantly impact your overall cost of living in Barcelona. Please see the table below for a detailed breakdown of these additional expenses.
| Miscellaneous | Approx Cost |
| Movie Ticket | EUR 8.97 |
| Brand Jeans | EUR 78.8 |
| Fitness Club (Gym Membership) | EUR 46.5 |
| Brand Sneakers | EUR 86 |
| Doctor’s visit | EUR 53.6 |
Also Read: Cost of Living in Hamburg: A Comprehensive Guide on Hamburg’s Expense
Average Tuition Fees at University of Barcelona
Along with the cost of living in Barcelona, figuring out the average tuition fees at the University of Barcelona can be a daunting task for anyone. The average tuition fees for international students at Barcelona University are around EUR 4,900 per year. However, the range of fees starts from EUR 4,000 to EUR 6,000.
A few prestigious universities in Barcelona are Pompeu Fabra University, Autonomous University of Barcelona, University of Barcelona, Polytechnic University of Catalonia, EU Business School, TBS Education, and many others. These universities provide advanced programs and innovative learning systems.
Cost of Living Comparison: Barcelona vs Other Cities
When estimating the cost of living in Barcelona compared to other Spain cities, it’s crucial to consider several factors. To make well-informed decisions about relocation or extended stays, understanding how the cost of living in Barcelona differs from other major cities like the USA, London, Madrid, Chicago, New York, Miami, Toronto, Singapore and Amsterdam is essential. Below is a detailed comparison to provide a clear understanding of these living expenses.
| Cost of Living City Wise | Average Cost of living | Comparison with Cost of Living in Barcelona |
| Cost of Living in the USA | EUR 1089 (excluding rent) | Higher than Barcelona |
| Cost of Living in Toronto | EUR 1033 (excluding rent) | Higher than Barcelona |
| Cost of Living in London | EUR 1308 (excluding rent) | Higher than Barcelona |
| Cost of Living in Madrid | EUR 810 (excluding rent) | Higher than Barcelona |
| Cost of Living in Chicago | EUR 1203 (excluding rent) | Higher than Barcelona |
| Cost of Living in New York | EUR 1549 (excluding rent) | Lower than Saskatoon |
| Cost of Living in Miami | EUR 1222 (excluding rent) | Higher than Saskatoon |
| Cost of Living in Toronto | EUR 1033 (excluding rent) | Higher than Barcelona |
| Cost of Living in Singapore | EUR 1030 (excluding rent) | Higher than Barcelona |
| Cost of Living in Amsterdam | EUR 1,075 (excluding rent) | Higher than Barcelona |
Why Study in Barcelona?
Along with the affordable cost of living in Barcelona, it is a hub of the world’s best universities, which are well known for their way of teaching, advanced study programs, extracurricular activities and many more. We have highlighted some of the key benefits of studying in Barcelona, take a look at them below:
- The city of best Universities in Spain– According to QS World Rankings, Barcelona is the best city in Spain for higher education, with several prestigious institutions such as TBS Education, ESADE Business School, IESE Business School, etc.
- Startup hub– Barcelona is also one of the leading startup ecosystems in Europe. With more than 2,000 successful startups operating from Barcelona, you can get hands-on experience get some exposure to these startup cultures and learn some impactful knowledge.
- Foreign investment strategy– Barcelona is also called “The city with the best foreign investment strategy in Europe” according to the fDi magazine as it attracts many foreign countries to set up their business here. This can also be an opportunity for you to complete your education and get employed in one of these companies.
- Quality of life– Last but not least, Barcelona is a city that has a very welcoming nature for international students as well as visitors. You can also enjoy the Mediterranean climate all year as it has an average temperature of 18 ºC, and 80% sunny days along with long coastlines and beaches.
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FAQs on Cost of Living in Barcelona
Ans: The average cost of living in Barcelona for a single person is around EUR 778 without rent. Living expenses in Barcelona can vary according to a person’s living standard and location.
Ans: On average, the monthly cost of a one-bedroom apartment in Barcelona is around EUR 1,241, and a three-bedroom apartment can cost up to EUR 2,104 in the city centre. The housing rent here is a major part of the cost of living in Barcelona.
Ans. The cost of some leisure in Barcelona can depend on what kind of leisure you are looking for. Here’s a breakdown of the costs of some popular leisure activities in the city:
– A cinema ticket costs around EUR 9
– A museum ticket costs around EUR 10
– A gym membership costs around EUR 40 per month
– A night out at a club costs around EUR 20
Ans. This can vary entirely from profession to profession but according to statistics, the average basic salary in Barcelona is EUR 2,003 monthly. It is enough for living a leisurely life in Barcelona because the cost of living in Barcelona for a person is around EUR 778 per month, excluding rent.
A. The average tuition fee can depend on the exact University you are trying to get admission to, but the average tuition fee can range from EUR 4,000 to 6,000 per year.
So, this was all about the cost of living in Barcelona. Many Indian students dream of pursuing education in foreign nations due to the exposure and career growth they offer. Consider joining a free counselling session with Leverage Edu if you plan to study abroad.
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