City comparison

Austin vs Barcelona

Austin scores higher on salary; Barcelona has a lower cost of living. Compare Austin and Barcelona on earnings, rent pressure, career opportunity, and 3-year financial impact.

Overall verdict

Austin scores higher overall

Barcelona is a step down on both savings and career opportunity

How they compare

If you want to save more

AustinOverall fitBarcelona
72 / 39+33 Austin
AustinSavingsBarcelona
71 / 37+34 Austin
AustinCareerBarcelona
78 / 48+30 Austin
AustinLow pressureBarcelona
67 / 37+30 Austin

If you want career growth

AustinOverall fitBarcelona
74 / 44+30 Austin
AustinSavingsBarcelona
71 / 37+34 Austin
AustinCareerBarcelona
78 / 48+30 Austin
AustinLow pressureBarcelona
67 / 37+30 Austin

If you want better balance

AustinOverall fitBarcelona
72 / 55+17 Austin
AustinSavingsBarcelona
71 / 37+34 Austin
AustinCareerBarcelona
78 / 48+30 Austin
AustinLow pressureBarcelona
67 / 37+30 Austin

Financial impact: moving from Austin to Barcelona

Based on a representative $80,000 USD salary. Not tax-adjusted.

-$3,129
Monthly
-$37,548
1 year
-$112,644
3 years

Moving from Austin to Barcelona: trade-offs

You gain

+Better quality of life — Barcelona scores higher on lifestyle and liveability

You lose

Weaker savings potential — Barcelona is 34 points lower on savings capacity
-$3,129/mo estimated net reduction — $37,548 over the first year
Smaller career market — fewer top-tier roles and lower salary ceiling than your current city
Higher cost pressure — rent will consume a larger share of your income

Austin

US
Salary index
82
Cost index
58
Rent pressure
33
Opportunity
76

Barcelona

ES
Salary index
38
Cost index
52
Rent pressure
63
Opportunity
54

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