Barcelona, one of Europe’s most dynamic cities, is also one of the most attractive to live in, making the rental market highly competitive. Rents in Barcelona vary significantly by area, with average prices fluctuating over time. Before looking for a rental property, it’s essential to analyze your financial possibilities and understand the associated costs. Here is a detailed guide to help you make informed decisions.
Table of contents
How to Determine the Viability of a Rental?
Before you begin, ask yourself these key questions:
What is the average rental price in Barcelona?
What are the most affordable areas?
What initial costs are involved in a rental contract?
Based on my income, what kind of rent can I afford?
Do I need a long-term rental?
Answering these questions will help you set a realistic budget and focus your search on the areas or rental types that fit your needs. Having the right information is essential to making informed rental decisions and being better prepared to face the challenges of moving to Barcelona.
The initial cost, maintenance, and guarantees that will be required will be much higher if you decide to rent a home long-term than if you decide to rent a room in a coliving apartment.
Basic Rules of the Rental Market
The real estate market usually requires certain feasibility criteria to approve a rental, including:
Stable income: Ideally, have a permanent contract.
Income/rent ratio: It is recommended that rent does not exceed 30-35% of your monthly income. This ratio ensures that you can also cover other essential expenses such as food, transportation and leisure.
The high demand for housing in Barcelona significantly influences these viability criteria, as the imbalance between supply and demand has led to an increase in rental prices. If you are looking for a long-term home, we recommend following this rule. If you only need temporary accommodation for study, work, or international mobility, perhaps renting a room with services included in a coliving apartment is your option, as you will not have to make a large initial investment, nor present guarantees, and you will have a more flexible contract.
Practical example
If your monthly income is €2,500, you should look for a rent of around €750-875 to maintain a healthy financial balance.
Average Rental Price in Barcelona
Barcelona has a wide range of prices depending on the districts and neighbourhoods. Average apartment prices vary significantly between different districts and neighbourhoods in Barcelona, reflecting the current situation of the real estate market. According to the most recent data, the average rental price in the city is €1,131.75/month (data updated to Q2 2024) , although this figure is likely to continue to rise if drastic measures are not taken to increase the supply of free and social housing, reduce tax pressure, and protect landlords to encourage them to rent out their apartments.
Most affordable districts
Nou Barris: €798.1/month
Horta-Guinardó: €915.92/month
Sant Andreu: €941.64/month
It is important to note that rental prices can vary significantly depending on the area. Knowing the cost of living in relation to different areas of Barcelona is crucial to making an informed decision.
Rooms in Barcelona range from €300/month to over €1000/month if they include 10% VAT, utilities, furniture, cleaning and other services designed for the international traveler.
Most expensive districts
Sarrià-Sant Gervasi: €1,572.24/month
Les Corts: €1,339.98/month
Eixample: €1,258.17/month
Within each district, prices can vary considerably between neighborhoods. Here are some examples:
Affordable Districts
In Nou Barris, the most expensive neighbourhood is Vilapicina and Torre Llobeta, while the cheapest is Ciutat Meridiana. Apartments in these neighbourhoods usually have between one and two bathrooms, which provides good functionality for tenants.
In Sant Andreu, Navas is the most expensive, and Trinitat Vella, the most affordable.
Exclusive Districts
In Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, El Putxet i Farró has one of the most affordable rents within this district. In addition, many properties in these neighborhoods have a terrace, providing views and comfort that increase their appeal.
In Eixample, the Sagrada Família neighborhood stands out for being relatively cheaper, although it is still higher than the more prime areas of Nou Barris, for example.
Initial Expenses: What You Should Consider
In addition to the monthly rent, renting a home in Barcelona involves certain initial costs. These are the most common:
When renting a property in Barcelona, it is important to consider the initial costs associated with renting, such as the deposit, additional guarantees and brokerage costs.
Deposit: Corresponds to one month's rent.
Additional guarantees: By law, the landlord can request up to two additional months of rent as a guarantee. It is common for them to ask for one month of guarantee.
Contract: The rental contract for a home is exempt from the Property Transfer Tax (ITP), so you should not be required to pay this fee, but you may be asked to pay between €40 and €100 for the drafting and management of the documents.
Brokerage fees: If you rent through an agency, the fees used to be 10% of the annual rent plus the corresponding VAT (21%). Now this expense is the responsibility of the Owner, although it is normal for it to change again when they decide to stimulate the offer.
Furniture and fittings: This is where the most money can be wasted. The cheapest rentals usually come completely empty and, in many cases, with maintenance issues. Just furnishing an entire flat can cost around €5,000 — if it is a studio and already has some appliances or furniture — up to more than €20,000 if the flat is larger and you don't want to put in the cheapest furniture on the market. If you also have to make renovations, the sky's the limit . In these cases, you can probably negotiate a longer contract duration and a more suitable rent because you are helping the Landlord to improve their property.
How to Start the Search?
Once you have your budget clear, start evaluating:
Dimensions and characteristics of the house.
Property condition: New, renovated or in good condition.
Environment and location: Proximity to public transport, services and green areas.
It is important to consider the dimensions and characteristics of the apartment you are looking for, since rental prices can vary significantly depending on the location and specifications of the apartment in Barcelona.
Useful tools
Check out the price and statistics reports from Barcelona City Council. The results of these reports provide detailed information on the cost of rent in different municipalities. These tools constantly update the data and offer an accurate view of market trends in each district and neighborhood.
Final Recommendations
Plan your initial expenses: Make sure you have enough savings to cover the deposit, additional guarantees, moving, furniture and necessary equipment...
Compare prices: Evaluate different districts and neighborhoods to find options that fit your budget.
Seek professional help: If you have questions or need guidance, contact advisory services such as InfoJOVE Services in Barcelona.
If you're sure, go for it: If you find an opportunity, don't hesitate and go for it. They don't usually last more than an hour on the market. Just make sure it's a reliable source.
Compared to other countries in Europe or the world, the monthly cost of living in Barcelona is cheaper, especially with regard to prices in supermarkets, restaurants, leisure activities, gyms, hairdressers, etc. This is because Spain has an average salary below the European average.
Living in Barcelona: More than just a rental
Barcelona offers not only a place to live, but a dynamic environment, full of culture, gastronomy and opportunities. With proper planning, you can find a home that suits your needs and enjoy everything this city has to offer.
Start your search today and find the ideal home in this incredible Mediterranean city!
If, on the other hand, you are looking for temporary accommodation while you find your permanent place that suits your needs, it is better to rent a room in Barcelona with services included.
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