City Comparison

Barcelona vs Wilmington

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Barcelona

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

Wilmington

North Carolina
103
Average
$320,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$48,432
Median Income

The Verdict

24.3%

Living in Barcelona costs 24.3% less than Wilmington. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Barcelona, you would need $99,038 in Wilmington.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
95
Barcelona
108
Wilmington
Groceries
72
Barcelona
101
Wilmington
Utilities
82
Barcelona
94
Wilmington
Transportation
85
Barcelona
99
Wilmington
Healthcare
68
Barcelona
106
Wilmington

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Barcelona has the same purchasing power as $99,038 in Wilmington.

Conversely, $75,000 in Wilmington equals $56,796 in Barcelona.

Living in Barcelona vs Wilmington

Housing Costs

Barcelona's housing index of 95 is lower Wilmington's 108, translating to median home prices of $365,000 vs $320,000. The $45,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,928 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,375/mo in Barcelona compared to $1,400/mo in Wilmington, a monthly difference of $25.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 72 in Barcelona and 101 in Wilmington. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $342/month in Barcelona vs $480/month in Wilmington. Barcelona offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $1656/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 82 in Barcelona and 94 in Wilmington. Monthly utility bills average approximately $328 in Barcelona vs $376 in Wilmington. 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 106 in Wilmington. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 38-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 $48,432 in Wilmington. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $48,077 and $47,021 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 $1,130/month in Wilmington. In Barcelona, median rent of $1,375/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Wilmington, median rent of $1,400/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 38 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Barcelona is 24.3% more affordable overall with an index of 78 vs 103.
A $75,000 salary in Barcelona has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $99,038 in Wilmington, based on the cost of living difference.
Barcelona's housing index is 95 with median homes at $365,000, while Wilmington's is 108 with median homes at $320,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases