Before making a decision to move to Barcelona for good, it’s good to know what the city has to offer in terms of housing. When you rent in Barcelona, you need to choose the neighborhood wisely, depending on your income.
The housing business has been booming in Barcelona for the past two years. AirBnB has overrun Ciutat Vella and it is getting more and more difficult to rent a flat for a cheap price. It terms of housing cost, what should you expect moving to Barcelona?
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How much does a flat cost to rent in Barcelona?
The cost of renting a flat will depend greatly on the area in the city, but in general, rent will be upwards of 700€/month, especially in neighborhoods near the city center such as Ciutat Vella.
How much does the average apartment cost in Barcelona? No matter the barrio, is more expensive than the national average rent per square meters (7,24€) in Spain and it will generally not get any lower.
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In Ciutat Vella, which is the most famous and beloved area for tourists, the average rent is about 18€ per square meter. In Sarriá-Sant Gervasi, the price is close to 19€/m2 and in Sant Martí, about 20€/m2.
Those are the most expensive areas because they offer the best choices in terms of entertainment, bars, restaurants and supermarkets.
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On the other hand, the least expensive barrios to live in are Sant Andreu and Horta-Guinardó (14€/m2) and Nou Barris (13€/m2). Finally, when you sign your contract to rent a flat in Barcelona, most of the time, you will have to pay a one-month deposit, and a 10% yearly rent commission to the agency, plus IVA. There are also other prices to consider that are involved in the cost of living in Barcelona.
Related article: Choosing a neighborhood
Renting a flat – short term
You have different options for renting a flat in Barcelona: a short term, monthly, or long term rental. With a short term rental, you can choose to rent it through an agency, which might be more expensive because of the agency fees but the cost will include everything: utilities, Wi-Fi, insurance, and someone welcoming you at your arrival.
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If you rent a flat online through AirBnB, price may vary from month to month and areas as well. You can rent a nice double bedroom in Barcelona from 60 euros a night to 150 euros. The City Hall is trying to regulate the black market: as Barcelona is becoming a very popular destination for holidays, the prices have gone up and the inhabitants have fewer options to rent a flat long-term.
Be careful when you rent a short-term flat: your host has to have a license to do so. Otherwise, you could be doing something that is against the law! At ShBarcelona, we offer fully furnished short term rentals for all needs, whether you’re on vacation with your family for the weekend or staying for a few weeks at a time.
Related article: What is the cost of living in Barcelona?
Rent a house – long term or monthly rentals
Many people such as students, interns, and short-term visitors come to Barcelona for a matter of months or a couple of years rather than staying permanently, and there are many rental options for stays of this length.
At ShBarcelona, we offer a multitude of monthly and long term, or yearly, rental apartments for different price ranges. How much does it cost to live in an apartment? From closer to 700 euros/month to upwards of 1500 euros/month for those looking for more luxury apartments.
At ShBarcelona, monthly rentals are for stays between 32 days and 12 months, and yearly rentals apply to stays between 12 months and 3 years, and contracts are renewable.
Other advice
ShBarcelona created a cost living calculator, you can calculate your own monthly cost living in Barcelona by clicking directly on this link. In addition to calculate your monthly budget, you can check the average prices listing of daily products like food, clothing, museums, utilities, housing by district, etc.
We advise that you walk around the city before picking the area you want to live in. Do not rush and take your time because every barrio has its advantages and its drawbacks that you might discover afterward.
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The main advantage of the city is that everything is quite close and you can cycle, walk or use public transportation to get from one point to the other. You will never be too far from nightlife nor work. Once you pick the neighborhood you like the best, you have to calculate the costs of living there.
Living in Ciutat Vella, for example, is roughly twice as expensive as living outside the city center. For this reason, many people are moving away from Barcelona proper to outer areas where rent is much more affordable.
Do you have advice for first time renters?
Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
Great post, Mae-Lise! Please, where I can check the rent price fluctuations in BCN along the year? Thanks, Leo.
Thanks i.e. direction is heavy I am looking to buy an average apartment near metro n sea but far from the city center
Like to find out more info on how to rent out my property for more than 90 days on Airbnb or other sites