Many potential expats are sold on the idea of living in Spain: the climate, the relative ease of getting a visa, the low cost of living and its proximity to the rest of Europe are all big draws. However, many people are undecided about which city in which to live. Historically, expats were drawn to Barcelona. However, things have changed dramatically in recent years. Read this article to discover the pros and cons of living in Madrid vs. Barcelona.

Barcelona has lost some of its shine

For many years, Barcelona was the darling of Spain. All that changed on October 1, 2017 when Catalans overwhelmingly approved a referendum to separate from Spain. At the time, despite only accounting for about 16 percent of the Spanish population, roughly 25 percent of all Spanish exports originated from Cataluña and it accounted for 23 percent of all Spanish industry. Tourism was also a great driver of economic growth.

After the referendum, which the Spanish government refused to recognize, the region began to stagnate. Most major companies left the region and economic growth lags that seen in Madrid. Moreover, the population has become increasingly xenophobic. Locals continue to make headlines as they harass tourists. There are no Airbnb licenses granted anymore as locals are convinced tourist rentals have priced them out of the real estate market; locals loudly and consistently tell tourists to “go home.”

Madrid has become increasingly cosmopolitan

When Barcelona was once favored for its international vibe, Madrid was considered a very provincial town. Few people spoke any language but Castellano, restaurants favored the heavy stews and meats of traditional Castellano cuisine and walking in the city felt like walking in a small town, as opposed to a European capital city. Things have changed dramatically in recent years. Wealthy South Americans and Mexicans flocked to Spain as their countries became increasingly unstable; people from the US are following suit. International schools, such as the Brewster Academy, are taking note and opening campuses in Madrid. Restaurants increasingly offer fusion cuisines and food from other European countries, Japan and Southeast Asia. Even in traditionally Spanish neighborhoods, like Chamberí, one increasingly hears English and other languages spoken.

Keep reading to learn about other pros and cons of living in Madrid vs. Barcelona.

Real estate prices

Historically, real estate in Barcelona was more expensive than real estate in Madrid. However, with the change in fortunes of both cities, the situation has reversed. For example, during the last quarter of 2024, the price of new-build properties in Barcelona increased by 6%, much lower than values from a year ago (-16.7% year on year). The average rent has fallen by 5.1% compared to last year, and is now 1,117€ per month.

Given the strong capital appreciation of the Madrid real estate market, property in Madrid is now, on average, more expensive than that in Barcelona. The exception to this is in the beach suburbs to the north of Barcelona, such as Sitges, where real estate prices rival those of Madrid.

Cost of living

Barcelona used to be a more expensive city than Madrid. However, that has changed in recent years. In 2025 the cost of living is roughly the same in both cities. There are some small discrepancies: food is slightly cheaper in Barcelona while transportation costs are greater. However, on average, the cost of living is virtually the same in Madrid vs. Barcelona.

Language

In Madrid almost everyone speaks Spanish. As more expats move to the city you hear more English, but business and socializing is all conducted in Spanish. If you want to integrate into the culture, you will need to learn at least basic Spanish. The good news is that since so few people do speak English, your Spanish will likely progress quickly.

Although people in Barcelona speak Spanish, the main language is Catalan. Due to the large volume of tourists the city receives, and the fact that many Catalans do not like to speak Spanish for political reasons, English is much more widely spoken than in Madrid. However, for things like speaking with your child’s teacher (in a public school) or navigating the local bureaucracy, you will most likely need to communicate in Catalan.

Expat families

If you are moving to a new city with your family, finding the right school is likely at the top of your list. Barcelona has St. Peter’s School, which is the only private international school in Barcelona to offer the IB Continuum in English in all stages of education. The school even has a science lab for preschoolers and teaches older children about important trends in technology, such as AI and the blockchain. A “low level” of English is required of all students, but since it’s an international school they can help children that speak other languages get their English and Spanish quickly up to speed.

Madrid has a much broader offering of international schools than Barcelona. If you want a real British school in Madrid with all UK teachers and some of the best A-levels results, King’s College, in the green suburb of La Moraleja, is the choice for you. There is also the American School in another posh suburb, Pozuelo de Alarcón. If you prefer to live in the city center, The Brewster Academy recently opened its first international branch in Trafalgar, an upscale sub-neighborhood of Chamberí. That launch was so successful that they are opening another campus in La Moraleja for the 2025-2026 school year.

If your children are older, both Madrid and Barcelona have very good universities that are reasonably priced compared to US schools. Barcelona has the three highest ranked universities in Spain. The city welcomes a large number of students doing semesters/years abroad; many of the bars, restaurants and shops in the historic city center have a student vibe.

Madrid is home to the highly ranked Autonomous University of Madrid and the Complutense of Madrid. The prestigious IE University, consistently ranked one of the best business schools in Europe, is located in Madrid.

To learn more about how we can help you and your family relocate to Madrid, you can contact our founder directly at fabiana@madrid-estate.com or WhatsApp +34 680 306 337 to discuss your relocation plans.

Transportation links

Spain has some of the best public transportation in Europe. The major cities are all connected by high speed rail. Madrid and Barcelona both have excellent Metro and light rail systems. Taxis in both cities are reasonably priced and well regulated. Both cities have international airports. However, Madrid has the edge if you frequently travel to other European cities. It is serviced by EasyJet, Rynanair, Air Europa (a Spanish budget carrier) and Transavia (Air France’s budget carrier). This competition keeps pricing down; you can usually find flights to other European cities for under 100€; sometimes much less. Barcelona has a much smaller airport and it is dominated by Vueling, which bills itself as a budget airline but in reality is typically quite expensive. The airport services fewer destinations than Barajas, Madrid’s much larger airport.

Restaurants

Both Madrid and Barcelona have vibrant restaurant offerings. The have almost the same number of Michelin starred restaurants: Barcelona has 33 and Madrid has 32. Barcelona has four restaurants with three Michelin stars; its Disfrutar was ranked as the best restaurant in the world in 2024 by Restaurant magazine. Note: it’s almost impossible to get a reservation there and if you can, it typically books a year in advance.

Barcelona restaurants tend to be more international in their focus, whereas restaurants in Madrid tend towards Spanish cuisine. Both cities have excellent seafood. Although Madrid is in the center of the country, it is home to the world’s second largest fish market: Mercamadrid. Unlike Tokyo’s Tsukiji Outer Market, it is not open to tourists; typically only buyers can enter. This is why so few people know about it.

If you like more casual dining, both cities have traditional tavernas where you can have a reasonably priced lunch or dinner, with local wine. If you prefer something more modern, there are some excellent chain restaurants in both cities. Tierra has delicious burritos and nachos, Honest Greens has excellent salads and vegetarian dishes, Flax&Kale has healthy street food inspired fare and kombucha bars in their restaurants. If you prefer French food, Maison Kayser recently opened a number of locations in both Madrid and Barcelona.

Climate

Unless you like relatively extreme temperatures, Barcelona has the edge when it comes to a comfortable climate. Situated on the Mediterranean, it has mild winters and summer days that are perfect for the beach. Madrid, which is 657 meters (2,155 feet) above sea level and surrounded on three sides by mountains, has a more extreme climate. Summers can be extremely hot and dry and winters can be quite chilly.

Conclusion

Both cities have a lot to offer to expats and their families. However, Madrid has become the most dynamic city in Spain. New bars and restaurants are constantly opening and expats are increasingly moving to the city. It is our number one choice for expat families due to its excellent schools. Moreover, it has a big advantage over Barcelona in that your children can be educated in English and/or Spanish, rather than Catalan. Madrid also has many more professional opportunities than Barcelona. If you are planning on purchasing a home, Madrid real estate is poised for increased capital appreciation.

Madrid Estate provides a complete range of services to our clients. Don’t hesitate to contact our founder directly at fabiana@madrid-estate.com or WhatsApp +34 680 306 337 if need help finding your dream home in Madrid, or if you need any other help investing in Madrid real estate. We are at your service.