City Comparison

Barcelona vs Fayetteville

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Barcelona

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

Fayetteville

Arkansas
90
Below Average
$332,000
Median Home
$1,025/mo
Median Rent
$59,100
Median Income

The Verdict

13.3%

The cost gap between these cities is 13.3%, with Barcelona being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Barcelona has equivalent purchasing power to $86,538 in Fayetteville.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
95
Barcelona
94
Fayetteville
Groceries
72
Barcelona
92
Fayetteville
Utilities
82
Barcelona
98
Fayetteville
Transportation
85
Barcelona
95
Fayetteville
Healthcare
68
Barcelona
78
Fayetteville

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Barcelona has the same purchasing power as $86,538 in Fayetteville.

Conversely, $75,000 in Fayetteville equals $65,000 in Barcelona.

Living in Barcelona vs Fayetteville

Housing Costs

Barcelona's housing index of 95 is higher Fayetteville's 94, translating to median home prices of $365,000 vs $332,000. The $33,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,148 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 Fayetteville, a monthly difference of $350.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 72 in Barcelona and 92 in Fayetteville. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $342/month in Barcelona vs $437/month in Fayetteville. Barcelona offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $1140/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 82 in Barcelona and 98 in Fayetteville. Monthly utility bills average approximately $328 in Barcelona vs $392 in Fayetteville. 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 78 in Fayetteville. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-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 $59,100 in Fayetteville. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $48,077 and $65,667 respectively. Fayetteville 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 $1,379/month in Fayetteville. In Barcelona, median rent of $1,375/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Fayetteville, median rent of $1,025/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Groceries, where the gap is 20 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Barcelona is 13.3% more affordable overall with an index of 78 vs 90.
A $75,000 salary in Barcelona has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $86,538 in Fayetteville, based on the cost of living difference.
Barcelona's housing index is 95 with median homes at $365,000, while Fayetteville's is 94 with median homes at $332,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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