Tulum vs Barcelona

Cost of living comparison for 2026. Tulum is roughly 24% more affordable than Barcelona (index 29 vs 38, New York = 100). Data sourced live via AI — updated regularly.

Tulum
More affordable overall
24% cheaper than Barcelona · Cost index: 29 vs 38

Life Power at $3,000/mo

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

Head-to-Head Stats

29Cost Index38
846Median Income /mo2,300
77Safety Index78
17.5Income Tax %37
60Internet (Mbps)165
300Coworking /mo250

Price Breakdown

TulumCategoryBarcelona
$775/month
1-BR Apartment (Center)
45% cheaper →
$1,400/month
$1.15/liter
Meal for One
17% cheaper →
$1.39/liter
$10/meal
Restaurant (Mid-range)
23% cheaper →
$13/meal
$0/month
Monthly Transit Pass
$58/month
$92/month
Utilities (Monthly)
23% cheaper →
$120/month
$50/visit
Doctor Visit
17% cheaper →
$60/visit

Digital Nomad Profile

Tulum

Internet60 Mbps
Coworking$300/mo
Café WiFifair
Englishmoderate
Communitylarge
Walkability70/100

Barcelona

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Tulum cheaper than Barcelona?

Tulum is cheaper than Barcelona. Tulum has a cost of living index of 29/100 compared to 38/100 for Barcelona (New York = 100), making it roughly 24% more affordable overall.

How much cheaper is Tulum than Barcelona?

Tulum is approximately 24% cheaper than Barcelona based on cost index scores (29 vs 38, where New York = 100). A person spending $3,000/month in Barcelona could live a similar lifestyle for roughly $2,294/month in Tulum.

What is the rent comparison between Tulum and Barcelona?

In Tulum, a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center costs approximately $775/month. In Barcelona, the equivalent is around $1,400/month.

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

Both cities have nomad infrastructure. Tulum offers 60 Mbps internet and coworking at ~$300/month. Barcelona offers 165 Mbps and coworking at ~$250/month. Tulum has a cost advantage of 24%.

What is the average income in Tulum vs Barcelona?

The median net monthly salary in Tulum is approximately $846 USD, compared to $2,300 USD in Barcelona.

Compare Tulum with…

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

Cities that cost about the same as Tulum

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

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