City Comparison

Barcelona vs Provo

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Barcelona

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

Provo

Utah
104
Average
$380,000
Median Home
$1,300/mo
Median Rent
$51,048
Median Income

The Verdict

25.0%

Barcelona is 25.0% less expensive than Provo overall. A household earning $75,000 in Barcelona would need approximately $100,000 in Provo to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
95
Barcelona
112
Provo
Groceries
72
Barcelona
98
Provo
Utilities
82
Barcelona
87
Provo
Transportation
85
Barcelona
101
Provo
Healthcare
68
Barcelona
97
Provo

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Barcelona has the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Provo.

Conversely, $75,000 in Provo equals $56,250 in Barcelona.

Living in Barcelona vs Provo

Housing Costs

Barcelona's housing index of 95 is lower Provo's 112, translating to median home prices of $365,000 vs $380,000. The $15,000 difference in home prices means roughly $972 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,375/mo in Barcelona compared to $1,300/mo in Provo, a monthly difference of $75.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 72 in Barcelona and 98 in Provo. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $342/month in Barcelona vs $466/month in Provo. Barcelona offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $1488/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 82 in Barcelona and 87 in Provo. Monthly utility bills average approximately $328 in Barcelona vs $348 in Provo. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 68 in Barcelona and 97 in Provo. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 29-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 $51,048 in Provo. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $48,077 and $49,085 respectively. Provo 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 $1,191/month in Provo. In Barcelona, median rent of $1,375/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Provo, median rent of $1,300/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 29 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Barcelona is 25.0% more affordable overall with an index of 78 vs 104.
A $75,000 salary in Barcelona has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $100,000 in Provo, based on the cost of living difference.
Barcelona's housing index is 95 with median homes at $365,000, while Provo's is 112 with median homes at $380,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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