Cost of living
Barcelona vs Madrid: cost of living compared
Compare monthly rent, groceries, transport, dining, and utilities in Barcelona and Madrid using cited SetTern cost bands — planning only.
Using cited SetTern catalog midpoints, Madrid is about 17% cheaper per month overall. The breakdown below compares rent, groceries, transport, dining, and utilities. These are planning bands, not live listings — confirm with the linked official cost sources.
Madrid is ~17% cheaper overall
| Monthly | Barcelona | Madrid |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (1br, catalog) | $1,300 | $1,200 |
| Groceries (band mid) | $260 | $280 |
| Transport (band mid) | $68 | $60 |
| Dining out (band mid) | $275 | $250 |
| Utilities (band mid) | $125 | $150 |
| Living cost avg (catalog) | $2,800 | $2,400 |
Side-by-side uses cited SetTern catalog midpoints for each city — not live listings. Individual costs vary by neighbourhood and lifestyle; confirm with the linked sources.