Stockholm vs Barcelona

Cost of living comparison for 2026. Barcelona is roughly 9% more affordable than Stockholm (index 38 vs 42, New York = 100). Data sourced live via AI — updated regularly.

Barcelona
More affordable overall
9% cheaper than Stockholm · Cost index: 38 vs 42

Life Power at $3,000/mo

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

Head-to-Head Stats

42Cost Index38
3,900Median Income /mo2,300
70Safety Index78
29Income Tax %37
116Internet (Mbps)165
280Coworking /mo250

Price Breakdown

StockholmCategoryBarcelona
$1,650/month
1-BR Apartment (Center)
15% ← cheaper
$1,400/month
$1.8/liter
Meal for One
23% ← cheaper
$1.39/liter
$18/meal
Restaurant (Mid-range)
28% ← cheaper
$13/meal
$110/month
Monthly Transit Pass
47% ← cheaper
$58/month
$180/month
Utilities (Monthly)
33% ← cheaper
$120/month
$28/visit
Doctor Visit
53% cheaper →
$60/visit

Digital Nomad Profile

Stockholm

Internet116 Mbps
Coworking$280/mo
Café WiFiexcellent
Englishhigh
Communitygrowing
Walkability74/100

Barcelona

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Stockholm cheaper than Barcelona?

Barcelona is cheaper than Stockholm. Barcelona has a cost of living index of 38/100 compared to 42/100 for Stockholm (New York = 100), making it roughly 9% more affordable overall.

How much cheaper is Barcelona than Stockholm?

Barcelona is approximately 9% cheaper than Stockholm based on cost index scores (38 vs 42, where New York = 100). A person spending $3,000/month in Stockholm could live a similar lifestyle for roughly $2,720/month in Barcelona.

What is the rent comparison between Stockholm and Barcelona?

In Stockholm, a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center costs approximately $1,650/month. In Barcelona, the equivalent is around $1,400/month.

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

Both cities have nomad infrastructure. Stockholm offers 116 Mbps internet and coworking at ~$280/month. Barcelona offers 165 Mbps and coworking at ~$250/month. Barcelona has a cost advantage of 9%.

What is the average income in Stockholm vs Barcelona?

The median net monthly salary in Stockholm is approximately $3,900 USD, compared to $2,300 USD in Barcelona.

Compare Stockholm with…

Popular head-to-heads — see exactly where Stockholm 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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