City Comparison

Barcelona vs Montgomery

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Barcelona

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

Montgomery

Alabama
79
Very Affordable
$162,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$56,800
Median Income

The Verdict

1.3%

Living in Barcelona costs 1.3% less than Montgomery. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Barcelona, you would need $75,962 in Montgomery.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
95
Barcelona
49
Montgomery
Groceries
72
Barcelona
99
Montgomery
Utilities
82
Barcelona
115
Montgomery
Transportation
85
Barcelona
92
Montgomery
Healthcare
68
Barcelona
78
Montgomery

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Barcelona has the same purchasing power as $75,962 in Montgomery.

Conversely, $75,000 in Montgomery equals $74,051 in Barcelona.

Living in Barcelona vs Montgomery

Housing Costs

Barcelona's housing index of 95 is higher Montgomery's 49, translating to median home prices of $365,000 vs $162,000. The $203,000 difference in home prices means roughly $13,200 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,375/mo in Barcelona compared to $1,000/mo in Montgomery, a monthly difference of $375.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 72 in Barcelona and 99 in Montgomery. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $342/month in Barcelona vs $470/month in Montgomery. 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 115 in Montgomery. Monthly utility bills average approximately $328 in Barcelona vs $460 in Montgomery. 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 Montgomery. 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 $56,800 in Montgomery. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $48,077 and $71,899 respectively. Montgomery 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 $1,325/month in Montgomery. In Barcelona, median rent of $1,375/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Montgomery, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 46 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Barcelona is 1.3% more affordable overall with an index of 78 vs 79.
A $75,000 salary in Barcelona has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $75,962 in Montgomery, based on the cost of living difference.
Barcelona's housing index is 95 with median homes at $365,000, while Montgomery's is 49 with median homes at $162,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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