⚖️ City comparison
Chicago vs Barcelona
Thinking of leaving Chicago for Barcelona? Here is how life in Barcelona, Spain compares with Chicago on cost, weather, safety, internet, and what it takes to stay.
The short version
- Barcelona is 29% cheaper: $2,618 vs $3,676 a month all-in for one person.
- Rent is lower in Barcelona: $1,678 vs $2,407 for a 1-bedroom in the centre.
- Barcelona has more pleasant weather: 7 pleasant months a year vs 4.
- Barcelona is warmer: highs average 11°F more across the year (coldest-month high 58°F vs 32°F in Chicago; hottest 85°F vs 81°F).
- Residents rate Barcelona safer: a safety index of 48 vs 35 out of 100 (Numbeo survey).
- To live in Barcelona you'd need a visa: Spain offers the Digital Nomad Visa (Startup Act) ($3,274/mo), and 90 days visa-free to look around first.
Side by side
| Measure | 🇪🇸 Barcelona | 🇺🇸 Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| ⭐ Fit score (default weights) | 64 | 49 |
| 💰 All-in / month | $2,618 | $3,676 |
| 🏠 1BR rent, centre | $1,678 | $2,407 |
| 🛒 Living costs, no rent | $940 | $1,269 |
| ☀️ Pleasant months | 7 | 4 |
| 🌡️ Highs, coldest–hottest month | 58–85°F | 32–81°F |
| 🛡️ Safety | 48/100 (residents) | 35/100 (residents) |
| 📶 Internet, median download | 357 Mbps | 385 Mbps |
| 🌬️ Air, PM2.5 per year | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.7 µg/m³ |
| 🗣️ English | Moderate (EF) | Official language |
| 🏥 Healthcare access (WHO) | Very high | Very high |
| 👩 Women's safety & rights | Very high | High |
| 🏳️🌈 LGBTQ+ equality | Very high | High |
| ✈️ Flight to the US (est.) | ~8h to New York | In the US |
| 🕘 US work-hour overlap | 1 h | 8 h |
| 🗓️ Visa-free stay (US passport) | 90 days | You live here |
| 🛂 Nomad visa | Digital Nomad Visa (Startup Act) | Not needed |
| 🧾 Tax if resident | 🔴 Heavy · Worldwide income, top 47% | US tax as now |
Best months to be there
🇪🇸 Barcelona
4 best months
🇺🇸 Chicago
3 best months
Colour is each month's typical temperature; ticked months are the most comfortable. Full detail: Barcelona climate · Chicago climate.
Data last updated · Source: Numbeo cost data, measured climate history, Ookla, UNODC/Numbeo safety and curated visa research
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