Houston vs Barcelona

Cost of living comparison for 2026. Barcelona is roughly 18% more affordable than Houston (index 76 vs 93, New York = 100). Data sourced live via AI — updated regularly.

Barcelona
More affordable overall
18% cheaper than Houston · Cost index: 76 vs 93

Head-to-Head Stats

HoustonvsBarcelona
93Cost Index76✓
4,800✓Median Income /mo2,500
35Safety Index73✓
10✓Income Tax %20
313✓Internet (Mbps)95
274Coworking /mo250✓

Price Breakdown

HoustonCategoryBarcelona
$1,225/month
1-BR Apartment (Center)
3% cheaper →
$1,260/month
$1.15/liter
Meal for One
8% cheaper →
$1.25/liter
$12/meal
Restaurant (Mid-range)
23% cheaper →
$15.5/meal
$65/month
Monthly Transit Pass
17% ← cheaper
$54/month
$185/month
Utilities (Monthly)
24% ← cheaper
$140/month
$200/visit
Doctor Visit
55% ← cheaper
$90/visit

Digital Nomad Profile

Houston

Internet313 Mbps
Coworking$274/mo
Café WiFigood
Englishhigh
Communitygrowing
Walkability48/100

Barcelona

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Houston cheaper than Barcelona?

Barcelona is cheaper than Houston. Barcelona has a cost of living index of 76/100 compared to 93/100 for Houston, making it roughly 18% more affordable overall.

How much cheaper is Barcelona than Houston?

Barcelona is approximately 18% cheaper than Houston based on cost index scores (76 vs 93, where New York = 100). A person spending $3,000/month in Houston could live a similar lifestyle for roughly $2,452/month in Barcelona.

What is the rent comparison between Houston and Barcelona?

In Houston, a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center costs approximately $1,225/month. In Barcelona, the equivalent is around $1,260/month.

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

Both cities have nomad infrastructure. Houston offers 313 Mbps internet and coworking at ~$274/month. Barcelona offers 95 Mbps and coworking at ~$250/month. Barcelona has a cost advantage of 18%.

What is the average income in Houston vs Barcelona?

The median net monthly salary in Houston is approximately $4,800 USD, compared to $2,500 USD in Barcelona.

Explore this comparison interactively

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

Open Interactive Comparison →Compare other cities

Free to start · No credit card needed

Full Houston breakdown →Full Barcelona breakdown →