Amsterdam vs Barcelona: cost of living for digital nomads

Amsterdam, Netherlands and Barcelona, Spain, line by line from the catalogue: what a month costs, rent, food, coworking, safety and internet. Every figure links back to its source on the city page.

The short version

  • Barcelona is about 22% cheaper than Amsterdam for a month of nomad living ($2,550 vs $3,290).
  • Rent is the biggest gap: $1,350 in Barcelona against $1,800 in Amsterdam.
  • Both score 8/10 on safety.
  • Internet is faster in Barcelona: 300 Mbps typical against 200 Mbps.
  • Amsterdam is temperate; Barcelona is mediterranean.

Amsterdam wins 0 of the measured lines; Barcelona wins 7.

LineAmsterdamBarcelona
Monthly total (USD)$3,290$2,550
Rent$1,800$1,350
Food$620$540
Transport$80$55
Coworking$230$160
Safety (out of 10)8/108/10
Internet (Mbps)200300
Climatetemperatemediterranean
City sizemetrometro
Settinginlandcoast
Nomad score (out of 10)7/109/10

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Costs are typical monthly figures for one person in USD, from the sources named on each city page; safety and internet are the catalogue's own ratings. Check the city pages for the dates each was last verified.