Tulum vs Barcelona

Cost of living comparison for 2026. Tulum is roughly 9% more affordable than Barcelona (index 39 vs 42, New York = 100). Data sourced live via AI — updated regularly.

Tulum
More affordable overall
9% cheaper than Barcelona · Cost index: 39 vs 42

Head-to-Head Stats

TulumvsBarcelona
39✓Cost Index42
736Median Income /mo2,500✓
62Safety Index73✓
15✓Income Tax %20
65Internet (Mbps)95✓
250Coworking /mo250

Price Breakdown

TulumCategoryBarcelona
$950/month
1-BR Apartment (Center)
25% cheaper →
$1,260/month
$1.1/liter
Meal for One
12% cheaper →
$1.25/liter
$10/meal
Restaurant (Mid-range)
35% cheaper →
$15.5/meal
$45/month
Monthly Transit Pass
17% cheaper →
$54/month
$120/month
Utilities (Monthly)
14% cheaper →
$140/month
$70/visit
Doctor Visit
22% cheaper →
$90/visit

Digital Nomad Profile

Tulum

Internet65 Mbps
Coworking$250/mo
Café WiFifair
Englishmoderate
Communitygrowing
Walkability45/100

Barcelona

Internet95 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 39/100 compared to 42/100 for Barcelona (New York = 100), making it roughly 9% more affordable overall.

How much cheaper is Tulum than Barcelona?

Tulum is approximately 9% cheaper than Barcelona based on cost index scores (39 vs 42, where New York = 100). A person spending $3,000/month in Barcelona could live a similar lifestyle for roughly $2,724/month in Tulum.

What is the rent comparison between Tulum and Barcelona?

In Tulum, a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center costs approximately $950/month. In Barcelona, the equivalent is around $1,260/month.

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

Both cities have nomad infrastructure. Tulum offers 65 Mbps internet and coworking at ~$250/month. Barcelona offers 95 Mbps and coworking at ~$250/month. Tulum has a cost advantage of 9%.

What is the average income in Tulum vs Barcelona?

The median net monthly salary in Tulum is approximately $736 USD, compared to $2,500 USD in Barcelona.

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