Mauritius wins overall by ~24% (COL index)
Cost of living: Mauritius vs Barcelona (2026)
A $75,000 salary in Mauritius buys roughly what $99,087 does in Barcelona (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
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Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
+$14,395/yr
Favoring Mauritius for this income & household (illustrative).
With the extra $1,200/mo, you could pay down a $15,000 card balance in ~13 months and still keep ~$144/mo for dining out.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | Mauritius Port Louis District | Barcelona Catalonia | Who wins | Your impact at $75K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $430Wins | $950 | Mauritius wins +$520/mo | $6,240/yr saves in Mauritius |
| 1BR rent/mo | $600Wins | $1,300 | Mauritius wins +$700/mo | $8,400/yr saves in Mauritius |
| 2BR rent/mo | $1,000Wins | $2,000 | Mauritius wins +$1,000/mo | $12,000/yr saves in Mauritius |
| Median home price | — | — | — | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | — | — | — | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $8Wins | $14 | Mauritius wins +$6/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $35Wins | $60 | Mauritius wins +$25/mo | $300/yr saves in Mauritius |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | — | — | — | — |
| Gas price/gal | — | — | — | — |
| Car insurance/mo | — | — | — | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $80Wins | $100 | Mauritius wins +$20/mo | $240/yr saves in Mauritius |
| Internet/mo | $60 | $35Wins | Barcelona wins −$25/mo | $300/yr saves in Barcelona |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | — | — | — | — |
| State income tax% | 15.0%Wins | 21.5% | Mauritius wins +6.5 pp | $4,875/yr saves in Mauritius |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 15.0%Wins | 21.0% | Mauritius wins +6.0 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | — | — | — | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $40Wins | $55 | Mauritius wins +$15/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | — | — | — | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 52Wins | 69 | Mauritius wins +17 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 45 | 85Wins | Barcelona wins +40 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Turn ~$4,872/yr tax difference into cash back
Mauritius fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in Mauritius.
High-yield savings
Park ~$8,400/yr rent savings at 4–5%+ APY
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
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Open the full interactive tool to add up to 5 cities, drop in your salary, and see rent burden.
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While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
If cash is tight
Knock down high-interest debt first
A move has upfront costs — a balance transfer or personal loan can lower APR while you settle in.
If you're saving big
Invest the surplus on autopilot
Brokerages and robo-advisors help you dollar-cost average into the market with your new slack.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mauritius cheaper than Barcelona?
Yes. Mauritius is 24% cheaper than Barcelona based on overall cost of living indices (52 vs 69, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Mauritius vs Barcelona?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Mauritius is $600/month and in Barcelona is $1,300/month. Mauritius is cheaper by 54%.
How much do I need to earn in Barcelona to match a $75,000 salary in Mauritius?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $99,087/year in Barcelona to match a $75,000 salary in Mauritius. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Mauritius or Barcelona?
Mauritius has the lower state income tax rate at 15% vs 21.5%. The difference is 6.5 percentage points. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Mauritius to Barcelona?
It depends on your priorities. Mauritius offers lower overall costs, but both cities have different job markets, weather, and lifestyle trade-offs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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Salary equivalent: Mauritius ↔ Barcelona
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