City Comparison

Barcelona vs Duluth

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Barcelona

Spain
78
Very Affordable
$365,000
Median Home
$1,375/mo
Median Rent
$37,500
Median Income

Duluth

Minnesota
85
Very Affordable
$268,000
Median Home
$1,025/mo
Median Rent
$68,800
Median Income

The Verdict

8.2%

The cost gap between these cities is 8.2%, with Barcelona being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Barcelona has equivalent purchasing power to $81,731 in Duluth.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
95
Barcelona
88
Duluth
Groceries
72
Barcelona
99
Duluth
Utilities
82
Barcelona
94
Duluth
Transportation
85
Barcelona
100
Duluth
Healthcare
68
Barcelona
123
Duluth

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Barcelona has the same purchasing power as $81,731 in Duluth.

Conversely, $75,000 in Duluth equals $68,824 in Barcelona.

Living in Barcelona vs Duluth

Housing Costs

Barcelona's housing index of 95 is higher Duluth's 88, translating to median home prices of $365,000 vs $268,000. The $97,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,300 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,375/mo in Barcelona compared to $1,025/mo in Duluth, a monthly difference of $350.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 72 in Barcelona and 99 in Duluth. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $342/month in Barcelona vs $470/month in Duluth. Barcelona offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $1536/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 82 in Barcelona and 94 in Duluth. Monthly utility bills average approximately $328 in Barcelona vs $376 in Duluth. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 68 in Barcelona and 123 in Duluth. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 55-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $37,500 in Barcelona and $68,800 in Duluth. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $48,077 and $80,941 respectively. Duluth residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $875/month to housing in Barcelona vs $1,605/month in Duluth. In Barcelona, median rent of $1,375/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Duluth, median rent of $1,025/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 55 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Barcelona is 8.2% more affordable overall with an index of 78 vs 85.
A $75,000 salary in Barcelona has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $81,731 in Duluth, based on the cost of living difference.
Barcelona's housing index is 95 with median homes at $365,000, while Duluth's is 88 with median homes at $268,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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