Cost of Living in Barcelona: Your Utimate Guide

You’ve packed your bags, and your tickets for the upcoming El Clasico are already booked. You have already begun dreaming of the flamenco shows and marvelling at the architecture. But perhaps what you haven’t yet considered is the cost of living in Barcelona. Well, worry not; we’re here to make this seemingly painstaking task a fun activity for you. Stay tuned, and prepare for your exciting wine-tasting tours as we lay out your guide to the average cost of living in Barcelona.  

“The cost of living in Spain is more than 50% more affordable when compared to the United States.”

Average Cost of Living in Barcelona

Barcelona is the second-most expensive city in Spain after Madrid. So, if you are a student heading to the home of Barça for your studies, extensive savings can help you go a long way. However, if you consider the cost to live in Spain compared to other major European countries such as the UK or France, the numbers look much more positive. 

Let’s take a look at the overview of the costs you’ll incur in Barcelona annually:

Therefore, you can expect to spend around €13,000 - €15,000 annually when living in the city of Barcelona. Of course, these costs can fluctuate depending on tons of variables, but the average cost can help us get a faint idea of what life might look like elsewhere.

1. Cost of Housing in Barcelona

On average, students in Barcelona can expect to spend somewhere between €700 - €1200 for student housing. Housing costs will go up as close as you get to the city centre, and decrease if you choose to live on the outskirts of the city. 

1. Single Occupancy: €900 - €1400

2. Double Occupancy: €400 - €800

The cost will also fluctuate depending on your housing preferences. Should you choose to live in a single occupancy house/studio, the cost of living in Barcelona increases. However, if you share a place with someone, the prices drop. Confused about where to start looking for accommodation? Try amber and the thousands of student accommodations that are listed with us,

2. Grocery Prices in Barcelona

The cost of your groceries will tend to be a lot cheaper compared to other European countries. Why is that? Good question - it’s because Spain grows most of its food and wine on its own. Barcelona is known for its Tempranillo, a variety of grapes as well as its vegetables. Therefore, grocery prices here are lower than most of Spain, making Barcelona living expenses quite affordable.

3. Cost of Transportation in Barcelona

Public transit in this city is full of different avenues, such as buses, trains, trams, and more, making the cost of living in Barcelona quite affordable. The entire city of Barcelona and the airport fall under Zone 1 making your access to most tourist attractions easy. Zone 2 - 6 cover the outskirts. You can even get day, month, and yearly passes to reduce these costs even lower. The Hola BCN card lets you access unlimited public transport for a limited time. The public transport included within an Hola BCN card includes trains, trams, and buses. Perks like this make the living cost in Barcelona for students attractive.

4. Utility Costs in Barcelona

The average cost of utilities in Barcelona is around €150 - €220. This number is based on utility costs such as electricity, heating, cooling, water, and garbage disposal. Your cost of living in Barcelona will be mostly affected by your utilities, otherwise, most of the aspects in this list are quite manageable. 

1. Basic Utilities - €150 - €220
2. Internet - €33 - €37
3. Mobile Phone Costs - €15 - €20

5. Tuition Costs in Barcelona

If you’re an international student, your cost of living in Barcelona will revolve around your tuition costs. The city boasts top universities. We, at amber, provide student accommodations near important universities in Barcelona such as the Universitat de Barcelona, Pompeu Fabra University, and Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya. Studying at these premier universities is also a pricey affair. However, one can opt for various scholarships to aid your Barcelona living expenses. 

6. Miscellaneous Expenses

What happens in Barcelona stays in Barcelona (or perhaps your camera roll or Instagram). So to make your stay worthwhile and fun, of course, you will be spending on your personal expenses. The cost of living in Barcelona is affordable enough that you are able to save enough to spend on yourself. Grab a ticket to Camp Nou, book a wine-tasting tour in Montserrat, or explore all the things to do in Spain, we will be breaking down your miscellaneous expenses while in Barca. 

Tips to Save Money in Barcelona

Staying in a different city or country altogether comes with its own set of challenges. From soaring costs in rent to increasing personal expenses, it can get difficult to keep track of your finances. However, your cost to live in Barcelona can become manageable once you learn to save up. Smart savings can help one go a long way in one of Spain’s top cities. Here’s how you can become a master saver:

1. Take advantage of student discounts

Ensure you carry your student IDs everywhere you go. From museums to art galleries, there are high chances these institutions offer student discounts. This one single tip can help reduce your cost of living in Barcelona. 

2. Head to free tourist attractions

Barcelona, a city filled to the brim with culture, is chock-full of free attractions. Some notable ones are the Gothic Quarter and Park Güell, which are both free to visit. 

3. Feast on tapas

When opting to eat out, prefer gorging on tasty tapas instead of full-blown meals. Tapas are usually small and meant to be shared with your companions. If you’re confused, tapas are basically small plates of food. These can range from olives and chips to cheese charcuteries. Tapas are the way to go to save up on your cost of living in Barcelona. Browse through the best food in Spain to die for if you’re wondering where you get the best tapas.

4. Dine on a budget with Menu del Dia

The “menu del día” is a type of fixed menu offered during lunchtime in most Spanish restaurants. This menu contains appetisers, main courses, desserts, and drinks and helps you engage in the local cuisine without breaking the bank.

5. Live in a shared accommodation

As we mentioned above, sharing your accommodation can help make your cost of living in Barcelona much more manageable. Living in the outskirts, as well as sharing accommodation, can help you save up for investments later.

6. Shop local

Ditch the chain expensive supermarkets and opt for local produce. Barcelona price of living can be handled well when you shop at markets such as La Boqueria and Mercat de Sant Antoni.

That concludes our list that’ll help you handle your cost of living in Barcelona. Explore this beautiful city on your own terms and take some inspiration from the best things to do in Barcelona. This blog will help you get a rough idea of the costs you will incur when staying here for your education. The living cost in Barcelona for students can be high compared to other Spanish cities but quite low in comparison to other European cities.