Barcelona vs Long Beach

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Barcelona has the same purchasing power as $149,038 in Long Beach.

Conversely, $75,000 in Long Beach equals $37,742 in Barcelona.

Living in Barcelona vs Long Beach

Housing Costs

Barcelona's housing index of 95 is lower Long Beach's 236, translating to median home prices of $365,000 vs $700,000. The $335,000 difference in home prices means roughly $21,780 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,375/mo in Barcelona compared to $2,200/mo in Long Beach, a monthly difference of $825.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 72 in Barcelona and 106 in Long Beach. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $342/month in Barcelona vs $504/month in Long Beach. Barcelona offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $1944/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 82 in Barcelona and 114 in Long Beach. Monthly utility bills average approximately $328 in Barcelona vs $456 in Long Beach. 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 103 in Long Beach. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 35-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 $60,567 in Long Beach. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $48,077 and $39,075 respectively. Barcelona residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $875/month to housing in Barcelona vs $1,413/month in Long Beach. In Barcelona, median rent of $1,375/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Long Beach, median rent of $2,200/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 141 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases