Working in Málaga vs Barcelona: Which is better for expats?

There are a lot of comparisons between living and working in Málaga vs living and working in Barcelona. But there are also some differences. It depends on your preferences which of these two cities will fit you better as an expat. That is what this blog is all about. We compare life and work in these two Spanish coastal cities.

If you’re looking for an adventure abroad and get excited by a mix of career opportunities, a pleasant climate, and an active lifestyle, both Málaga and Barcelona are excellent choices. Each city attracts international professionals, remote workers, entrepreneurs, and digital nomads, thanks to the growing job markets, modern infrastructure, and welcoming expat communities. And next to this, both cities are just very beautiful, with beaches close by. We zoom in on living and working in Málaga vs Barcelona, so you can pick which of these two cities suits you best. 

Job opportunities and industries in Málaga vs Barcelona 

If you want to become an expat in either Málaga or Barcelona, it’s important to know what kind of jobs you can find there. The good news is that you can find work as a foreigner in both Málaga and Barcelona. The biggest industry in Málaga is the Tech industry. But you can also find jobs in tourism, customer support, and in iGaming. 

In Barcelona you can find more jobs in technology, finance, and design, but also in tourism. Barcelona has significantly more multilingual companies than Málaga, which makes it easier for you as a foreigner to find a job there. However, at Job Squad we offer both jobs in Málaga as jobs in Barcelona. For most jobs we offer, you don’t have to speak fluent Spanish. Your native language skills are most important. 

Make sure to check out our job offers in Málaga and our job offers in Barcelona.

Cost of living: Is Málaga or Barcelona more affordable? 

When it comes to salaries, you can earn slightly more in Barcelona than in Málaga. But life in Barcelona is also a bit more expensive compared to Málaga. At the end of the day, you will end up with roughly the same amount of money. We list the most important costs of life for an expat in these cities, so you can compare the two:

	Costs Málaga	Costs Barcelona
1-bedroom apartment in the city center	€850-€1,200 a month	€1,000-€1,500 a month
1-bedroom apartment outside the city center	€600-€900 a month	€850-€1,200 a month
Room in a shared apartment	€300-€600 a month	€400-€750 a month
Groceries	€200-€350 a month	€200-€300 a month
Basic meal in a restaurant	€9-€12	€10-€15
Coffee in a café	€1,50-€3	€1,50-€2,50
0.5L Beer in a bar	€1,50-€3,50	€2,50-€4
Gym membership	€30-€80 a month	€30-€60 a month
Cinema ticket	€8-€10	€8-€10

Lifestyle and work-life balance 

Both Málaga and Barcelona are Spanish cities. Life in Spain is generally more relaxed compared to Northern Europe. But there is a difference between these two. Barcelona is a more busy international city. There is more focus on making a career, which makes it an ideal destination for ambitious professionals. Málaga is perfect for digital nomads or remote workers. People who really enjoy the slower pace of life in this city.

If you are looking for more life, go for Barcelona. Here you can find amazing nightlife, loads of food options and amazing cultural events. In Málaga you also have these things, but less options. There is also a slight difference in climate. The winters in Málaga are warmer, where Barcelona has four distinct seasons. If you really hate the winter, absolutely pick Málaga as your new home!

Expat community and settling in 

If you move abroad, it’s important to feel at home as quickly as possible. To help you settle in, expat communities might be the perfect place. Both cities have thriving expat communities, but the one in Barcelona is larger and more established. Life in Málaga can be more relaxed, which suits certain people. 

For the expat community and settling in, expect this in Barcelona and Málaga:

	Barcelona	Málaga
Making friends	Many opportunities, but the faster pace makes that people tend to be busy	Easier, with a more relaxed social scene
English in daily life	Widely spoken in tourist, startup, and expat areas	Common in central areas, less so outside
Coworking spaces	Excellent with lot’s of options	Good and expanding over the years

Málaga or Barcelona: Which city is right for you? 

Choosing between living and working in Málaga or Barcelona can be difficult, but it’s like picking between a gold medal in running or swimming; both are amazing. 

Choose Málaga if you:

• Are looking for a place with lower living costs;
• Prefer sunshine and great weather all year-round;
• Are looking for a great job, or you want to work remotely;
• Value a relaxed lifestyle with a lower living pace;
• Want to live near the beach without spending a lot of money.

Choose Barcelona if you:

• Are looking for more career opportunities;
• Prefer to live and work in a large international city;
• Enjoy a vibrant cultural scene with lots of events and party options;
• Want to work in finance, tech, design, or multinational companies;
• Don’t mind paying more for an amazing city life.

Of course, the ‘best’ city depends on what your career goals, budget, and preferences are. We aren’t giving one of the two cities that gold medal. Both cities will be an upgrade if you are done with the fast paced life in Northern Europe, where you only live your life on the weekends. In both cities there is more focus on your personal life outside of work. Spanish culture has a lot of focus on enjoying your life outside of your work, even during the week.