Barcelona vs Chicago

Cost of living comparison for 2026. Chicago is roughly 1% more affordable than Barcelona (index 75 vs 76, New York = 100). Data sourced live via AI — updated regularly.

Chicago
More affordable overall
1% cheaper than Barcelona · Cost index: 75 vs 76

Head-to-Head Stats

BarcelonavsChicago
76Cost Index75✓
2,500Median Income /mo6,250✓
73✓Safety Index52
20✓Income Tax %28
95Internet (Mbps)940✓
250✓Coworking /mo350

Price Breakdown

BarcelonaCategoryChicago
$1,260/month
1-BR Apartment (Center)
47% cheaper →
$2,368/month
$1.25/liter
Meal for One
2% cheaper →
$1.28/liter
$15.5/meal
Restaurant (Mid-range)
14% cheaper →
$18/meal
$54/month
Monthly Transit Pass
28% cheaper →
$75/month
$140/month
Utilities (Monthly)
23% cheaper →
$182/month
$90/visit
Doctor Visit
40% cheaper →
$150/visit

Digital Nomad Profile

Barcelona

Internet95 Mbps
Coworking$250/mo
Café WiFiexcellent
Englishhigh
Communitylarge
Walkability78/100

Chicago

Internet940 Mbps
Coworking$350/mo
Café WiFiexcellent
Englishhigh
Communitylarge
Walkability78/100

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Barcelona cheaper than Chicago?

Chicago is cheaper than Barcelona. Chicago has a cost of living index of 75/100 compared to 76/100 for Barcelona, making it roughly 1% more affordable overall.

How much cheaper is Chicago than Barcelona?

Chicago is approximately 1% cheaper than Barcelona based on cost index scores (75 vs 76, where New York = 100). A person spending $3,000/month in Barcelona could live a similar lifestyle for roughly $2,961/month in Chicago.

What is the rent comparison between Barcelona and Chicago?

In Barcelona, a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center costs approximately $1,260/month. In Chicago, the equivalent is around $2,368/month.

Which city is better for digital nomads — Barcelona or Chicago?

Both cities have nomad infrastructure. Barcelona offers 95 Mbps internet and coworking at ~$250/month. Chicago offers 940 Mbps and coworking at ~$350/month. Chicago has a cost advantage of 1%.

What is the average income in Barcelona vs Chicago?

The median net monthly salary in Barcelona is approximately $2,500 USD, compared to $6,250 USD in Chicago.

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