City comparison

Madrid vs Barcelona

Madrid and Barcelona are surprisingly different on salary and rent pressure. Here's the full breakdown.

Overall verdict

Madrid scores higher overall

Barcelona would cost you meaningfully more to live in

How they compare

If you want to save more

MadridOverall fitBarcelona
44 / 39+5 Madrid
MadridSavingsBarcelona
42 / 37+5 Madrid
MadridCareerBarcelona
52 / 48+4 Madrid
MadridLow pressureBarcelona
43 / 37+6 Madrid

If you want career growth

MadridOverall fitBarcelona
48 / 44+4 Madrid
MadridSavingsBarcelona
42 / 37+5 Madrid
MadridCareerBarcelona
52 / 48+4 Madrid
MadridLow pressureBarcelona
43 / 37+6 Madrid

If you want better balance

MadridOverall fitBarcelona
57 / 55+2 Madrid
MadridSavingsBarcelona
42 / 37+5 Madrid
MadridCareerBarcelona
52 / 48+4 Madrid
MadridLow pressureBarcelona
43 / 37+6 Madrid

Financial impact: moving from Madrid to Barcelona

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

-$808
Monthly
-$9,696
1 year
-$29,088
3 years

Moving from Madrid to Barcelona: trade-offs

You lose

-$808/mo estimated net reduction — $9,696 over the first year

Madrid

ES
Salary index
42
Cost index
50
Rent pressure
57
Opportunity
58

Barcelona

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

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The comparison above uses a representative salary. Enter yours for an accurate picture.

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