Cost of Living in Barcelona

I've lived here 25 years. It's the best quality of life for a major city on the continent if not also among the best in the world. I've brought up two kids in this super cosmopolitan and safe city. And it's not the climate per se that is so addictive. It's more specifically the quality of the light, 320 days per year.

In Spain, Spanish is essentia. you need it for everything, because is our language, so don't bother to move without talking Spanish, you will struggle so much, and locals won't be happy.

Does one get back the deposit without much hassle? Does not speaking Spanish pose a major challenge while finding a rental?

As someone who has lived in the United States, Canada, Poland, Madrid, Barcelona and travels to European cities like Amsterdam and Paris regularly.

Barcelona is not expensive whatsoever compared to other cities in Europe or North America. Prices of almost everything are a lot higher in France, Netherlands, Vancouver, Toronto, LA or New York. If you're a tourist and don't really know where to go, then you'll be scammed and asked 8€ for a sangría. If you know the local places, you'll be charged 2,50-3€.

As a Product Marketing Manager with 2 years of experience I'm making 38K a year, around 2.500€/month net. Most people around me make this amount, so it's nothing crazy. Average salary in Spain is low because there are many waiters, cashiers, etc. that are underpaid and exploited, getting the minimum salary. However, even a teacher or a nurse makes around 2.300€/month net here.

Taking this into account, it's not like people can't live here or that you'll be poor if you move here. You can save 30-40% of your income living a nice lifestyle.

Anyhow, I do agree that we should fight for higher salaries so Spain can catch up with northern countries. Additionally, rent should be cheaper though given the salaries and there should be some action regarding this topic, even though this happens in large cities like London as well. Security is better than in Paris, London or Milan, but this doesn't mean that it shouldn't be improved - I hope it will be.

Barcelona is strictly a lifestyle city, you come for 1-2, maybe 3 years, have some fun and then leave.
Why leave? the salaries, the price of housing, the price of eating out, taxis etc. None of it adds up.
You'll have a much better life long-term in Sweden or Switzerland for example...yeah the weather sucks, but guess what else sucks? not being able to buy housing ever, working for pennies and very little to no support from the government if anything happens your job.

@Anonymous, are you seriously comparing a suburbs place like Irvine CA to a major regional hub like Barcelona? Irvine may be safer, but it's a sleepy village in every respect relative to Barcelona. These two places are in a different league.

As someone living as an expat in BCN the last 2 years I’m shocked at some of the comments here. I think your view on cost of living and safety depends a lot on where you’ve lived before. Certainly there are cheaper safer cities in Europe. However some of these comments (especially about safety) make it sound more like Rio de Janeiro than Barcelona.

Prior to BCN I lived in a few different cities in the US (Indianapolis, LA, Chicago). In those cities I never felt comfortable walking home alone at night, homeless & mentally ill were prevalent, parents never let a kid out of sight, men catcall and approach you in uncomfortable ways. I felt always on my guard, even when I lived in the suburbs.

Here in Barcelona it’s the safest I’ve ever felt. Yes, you might get pickpocketed (I haven’t). And there are other crimes. But compared to many many places *outside* Europe, it is very safe. And, as has been mentioned, the affordability depends a lot on your lifestyle. It’s not cheap certainly. But compared with many cities that offer all the things it has (the food, weather, location, safety, mobility, culture, nightlife, healthcare, etc) it is far from the worst.

I’m not saying this to try to devalue anyones opinion. If you feel the city is too expensive, the rent is too high, the salaries too low, people aren’t friendly enough or you don’t feel safe - I respect that. And I’m not saying the city can’t be improved. But I just wanted to offer the perspective of someone who has come to really really love the city. And I think there are many out there who actually would see it as the dream they imagined. As I have.

Please, help with info. If I earn up to €59000 gross, the tax would be 37%, right? Will so monthly it is approximately €2600-€2800. Is it enough for living in Barcelona for a single man?

10,000 euro per person per month isn't outlandish at all just the basics medium comfortable. I'm talking about 240,000 euro net per year for expenses not gross.That amount is the difference in not living next to paupers who don't have a penny sniffing for tidbits like you.

4,000 euro enough for a comfortable life 4 people in Barcelona? Not even close you'd need atleast 7,000 euro monthly but that's just the basics.
10,000 euro monthly would be more like it especially for 4 people Barcelona is far from cheap.

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