Barcelona vs Galway: cost of living for digital nomads
Barcelona, Spain and Galway, Ireland, 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 2% cheaper than Galway for a month of nomad living ($2,550 vs $2,615).
- Both score 8/10 on safety.
- Internet is faster in Barcelona: 300 Mbps typical against 180 Mbps.
- Barcelona is mediterranean; Galway is temperate.
Barcelona wins 5 of the measured lines; Galway wins 1.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Barcelona or Galway?
Barcelona is cheaper: about $2,550/month against $2,615/month in Galway, roughly 2% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Barcelona or Galway?
Barcelona and Galway score the same on safety, 8/10 each.
Which has faster internet, Barcelona or Galway?
Barcelona has faster typical internet: 300 Mbps against 180 Mbps in Galway.
| Line | Barcelona | Galway |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $2,550 | $2,615 |
| Rent | $1,350 | $1,350 |
| Food | $540 | $550 |
| Transport | $55 | $85 |
| Coworking | $160 | $150 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 8/10 | 8/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 300 | 180 |
| Climate | mediterranean | temperate |
| City size | metro | small |
| Setting | coast | coast |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 9/10 | 6/10 |
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. Cost figures verified (Eastern Time): Barcelona November 2, 2026, Galway September 11, 2026.