Barcelona vs Rome

Cost of living comparison for 2026. Barcelona is roughly 7% more affordable than Rome (index 38 vs 41, New York = 100). Data sourced live via AI — updated regularly.

Barcelona
More affordable overall
7% cheaper than Rome · Cost index: 38 vs 41

Life Power at $3,000/mo

The same salary ranks differently depending on where you live — from Beggar to King.

Head-to-Head Stats

38Cost Index41
2,300Median Income /mo2,200
78Safety Index75
37Income Tax %33
165Internet (Mbps)80
250Coworking /mo200

Price Breakdown

BarcelonaCategoryRome
$1,400/month
1-BR Apartment (Center)
2% cheaper →
$1,430/month
$1.39/liter
Meal for One
28% ← cheaper
$1/liter
$13/meal
Restaurant (Mid-range)
19% cheaper →
$16/meal
$58/month
Monthly Transit Pass
29% ← cheaper
$41/month
$120/month
Utilities (Monthly)
44% cheaper →
$216/month
$60/visit
Doctor Visit
$60/visit

Digital Nomad Profile

Barcelona

Internet165 Mbps
Coworking$250/mo
Café WiFiexcellent
Englishhigh
Communitylarge
Walkability78/100

Rome

Internet80 Mbps
Coworking$200/mo
Café WiFigood
Englishmoderate
Communitygrowing
Walkability72/100

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Barcelona cheaper than Rome?

Barcelona is cheaper than Rome. Barcelona has a cost of living index of 38/100 compared to 41/100 for Rome (New York = 100), making it roughly 7% more affordable overall.

How much cheaper is Barcelona than Rome?

Barcelona is approximately 7% cheaper than Rome based on cost index scores (38 vs 41, where New York = 100). A person spending $3,000/month in Rome could live a similar lifestyle for roughly $2,795/month in Barcelona.

What is the rent comparison between Barcelona and Rome?

In Barcelona, a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center costs approximately $1,400/month. In Rome, the equivalent is around $1,430/month.

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

Both cities have nomad infrastructure. Barcelona offers 165 Mbps internet and coworking at ~$250/month. Rome offers 80 Mbps and coworking at ~$200/month. Barcelona has a cost advantage of 7%.

What is the average income in Barcelona vs Rome?

The median net monthly salary in Barcelona is approximately $2,300 USD, compared to $2,200 USD in Rome.

Compare Barcelona with…

Popular head-to-heads — see exactly where Barcelona wins or loses.

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Same spending tier, different part of the world — the head-to-heads people actually weigh when relocating.

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