⚖️ City comparison
Sacramento vs Barcelona
Thinking of leaving Sacramento for Barcelona? Here is how life in Barcelona, Spain compares with Sacramento on cost, weather, safety, internet, and what it takes to stay.
The short version
- Barcelona is 24% cheaper: $2,618 vs $3,458 a month all-in for one person.
- Rent is lower in Barcelona: $1,678 vs $2,087 for a 1-bedroom in the centre.
- Barcelona has more pleasant weather: 7 pleasant months a year vs 5.
- Sacramento is warmer: highs average 5°F more across the year (coldest-month high 56°F vs 58°F in Barcelona; hottest 99°F vs 85°F).
- 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 | 🇺🇸 Sacramento |
|---|---|---|
| ⭐ Fit score (default weights) | 64 | 57 |
| 💰 All-in / month | $2,618 | $3,458 |
| 🏠 1BR rent, centre | $1,678 | $2,087 |
| 🛒 Living costs, no rent | $940 | $1,372 |
| ☀️ Pleasant months | 7 | 5 |
| 🌡️ Highs, coldest–hottest month | 58–85°F | 56–99°F |
| 🛡️ Safety | 48/100 (residents) | 51/100 (residents) |
| 📶 Internet, median download | 357 Mbps | 369 Mbps |
| 🌬️ Air, PM2.5 per year | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 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 | 6 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
🇺🇸 Sacramento
3 best months
Colour is each month's typical temperature; ticked months are the most comfortable. Full detail: Barcelona climate · Sacramento climate.
Data last updated · Source: Numbeo cost data, measured climate history, Ookla, UNODC/Numbeo safety and curated visa research
Add a third or fourth city: open this comparison in the interactive view →