Barcelona vs Houston

Cost of living comparison for 2026. Houston is roughly 4% more affordable than Barcelona (index 73 vs 76, New York = 100). Data sourced live via AI — updated regularly.

Houston
More affordable overall
4% cheaper than Barcelona · Cost index: 73 vs 76

Head-to-Head Stats

76Cost Index73
2,500Median Income /mo5,094
73Safety Index19
20Income Tax %0
95Internet (Mbps)145
250Coworking /mo250

Price Breakdown

BarcelonaCategoryHouston
$1,260/month
1-BR Apartment (Center)
7% cheaper →
$1,350/month
$1.25/liter
Meal for One
14% cheaper →
$1.45/liter
$15.5/meal
Restaurant (Mid-range)
23% ← cheaper
$12/meal
$54/month
Monthly Transit Pass
10% cheaper →
$60/month
$140/month
Utilities (Monthly)
30% cheaper →
$200/month
$90/visit
Doctor Visit
39% cheaper →
$148/visit

Digital Nomad Profile

Barcelona

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

Houston

Internet145 Mbps
Coworking$250/mo
Café WiFigood
Englishhigh
Communitygrowing
Walkability45/100

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Barcelona cheaper than Houston?

Houston is cheaper than Barcelona. Houston has a cost of living index of 73/100 compared to 76/100 for Barcelona, making it roughly 4% more affordable overall.

How much cheaper is Houston than Barcelona?

Houston is approximately 4% cheaper than Barcelona based on cost index scores (73 vs 76, where New York = 100). A person spending $3,000/month in Barcelona could live a similar lifestyle for roughly $2,882/month in Houston.

What is the rent comparison between Barcelona and Houston?

In Barcelona, a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center costs approximately $1,260/month. In Houston, the equivalent is around $1,350/month.

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

Both cities have nomad infrastructure. Barcelona offers 95 Mbps internet and coworking at ~$250/month. Houston offers 145 Mbps and coworking at ~$250/month. Houston has a cost advantage of 4%.

What is the average income in Barcelona vs Houston?

The median net monthly salary in Barcelona is approximately $2,500 USD, compared to $5,094 USD in Houston.

Explore this comparison interactively

See radar charts, detailed category breakdowns, and compare any two cities in real time.

Free to start · No credit card needed