If you are planning to move to Barcelona to study but you still don’t know what to expect for your finances, read here to discover more about the cost of living in Barcelona for students.

Moving abroad for an international experience will turn out to be the best decision of your life: you’ll broaden new horizons, improve your skills and meet many new people. 

Spain along the last years has revealed to be the favourite destination for international students where to spend their time abroad; therefore, even though the cost of living in Barcelona for students isn’t that expensive as in the Northern European destinations, lately in Spain prices in some economic areas are slightly increasing. 

Get a look at the article to find out more about life in Barcelona.

Is it expensive to live in Barcelona?

Barcelona is the second biggest city in Spain and is capital of the rich Catalunya; it yearly welcomes millions of tourists and international students and this makes it one of the most expensive places in Spain. In many economic areas prices are quite high compared to the other Spanish cities, but still below the European average. It has been calculated that the cost of living in Barcelona (middle class lifestyle) is around 600 € - rent excluded. 

However, despite the high income of tourism, the cost of living in Barcelona still is a 0.29% lower than Madrid.

Housing rental market: how much is rent in Barcelona?

When you move to a new city, the accommodation is one of the main things to keep in mind. Barcelona housing rental market has been increasing along the last years, just as the rest of Spain, due to the high income of foreigners coming every year to study abroad or start an international career.

If we compare Barcelona to Madrid, rent here is around 9% lower than the Spanish capital, and in the Catalonian city, the average rent (per room in a shared apartment) is around 500 € in the central areas.

Just saying that rental market in Barcelona around 70% lower than the one in New York, and we guess that this news can be quite exciting especially for American students that are planning to study abroad in Spain!

Live comfortably: cost of living in Barcelona 

Cost of accommodation in Barcelona for students

Budget for your accommodation is the first cost you should keep in mind while planning your experience in Barcelona. National and international students usually live in shared apartment in the city centre, since it’s the best location both to reach university and enjoy the leisure activities during the free time. Room rent is around 500 € (bills excluded) in the main neighbourhoods of Barcelona, but it usually has nothing included.

Therefore, at helpHousing, we strive to make you live an incredible housing experience in Barcelona: you’re not only renting a room, but also receiving a full personalised assistance, housekeeping and technical support, wi-fi, individual contract, online account for expenses management.

Food and dining out in Barcelona

Living in a shared apartments will allow you to stay home, in a fully equipped kitchen and cook whatever you want (saving money and eating healthier!).

But it will happen that, while you’re living in Barcelona, you’ll go dining out: here prices can go from a daily 10 € menu, to 25 € a la carte dinner per person, in a standard restaurant.

Public transport in Barcelona

By choosing an accommodation in the centre of Barcelona, you’ll be able to walk to most of the places, or using bike sharing services. Anyway, it’s also a good idea to have a monthly public transport card, which costs around 40 €.

Leisure activities in Barcelona

Spain is the main European country for activities and night entertainment, famous all around the world for its great parties...and international students know that!

In Barcelona you have the chance to live unique nights in some of the best clubs in the country. An entrance for a club may vary from 10 € to 30 € (depending on the type of disco and how many drinks are included).

But, it’s not all about parties! In order to live a full experience and to share unforgettable moments with your friends, you should do way more leisure activities in Barcelona. Here are some average prices: 

Cinema ticket from 7-10€ , theater from 12 up to 50 €, museum entrance 5-15 €.

We truly hope this information about the cost of living for students in Barcelona can help you to set up your experience abroad. We are waiting for you! Book here your accommodation in Barcelona.