Barcelona, Spain or Beijing, China? Two very different places to teach, and this week's listings show how far a teaching salary actually goes in each.
The salaries
🇪🇸
Barcelona, Spain
€600 – €2,488 / mo
£516–£2,140 / $689–$2,859
Average: €1,832 (£1,575 / $2,104 / €1,832)
🇨🇳
Beijing, China
¥14,364 – ¥39,000 / mo
£1,580–£4,290 / $2,111–$5,731 / €1,838–€4,989
Average: ¥22,176 (£2,439 / $3,259 / €2,837)
Take-home pay
| |
🇪🇸 Barcelona |
🇨🇳 Beijing |
| Gross average salary |
€1,832 (£1,575 / $2,104 / €1,832) |
¥22,176 (£2,439 / $3,259 / €2,837) |
| Est. effective tax rate |
24% |
10% |
| Est. net take-home |
€1,392 (£1,197 / $1,599 / €1,392) |
¥19,959 (£2,195 / $2,933 / €2,553) |
Tax rates are simplified national estimates for a typical foreign teacher's salary bracket, not precise calculations. Actual tax depends on brackets, tax treaties, residency status, social insurance and local practice. Treat as a rough planning figure, not tax advice.
Cost of living
Typical monthly costs: single person, modest lifestyle (local currency, GBP / USD / EUR)
Rent: 1-bed city-centre apartment
🇪🇸
€1,023 (£880 / $1,176 / €1,023)
🇨🇳
¥4,727 (£520 / $695 / €605)
Food & groceries
🇪🇸
€372 (£320 / $428 / €372)
🇨🇳
¥2,091 (£230 / $307 / €267)
Local transport
🇨🇳
¥227 (£25 / $33 / €29)
Going out & socialising
🇪🇸
€256 (£220 / $294 / €256)
🇨🇳
¥1,455 (£160 / $214 / €186)
Estimated monthly total
🇪🇸
€1,698 (£1,460 / $1,951 / €1,698)
🇨🇳
¥8,500 (£935 / $1,249 / €1,087)
City adjustment: Barcelona rent is set at 100% of Madrid levels, with other costs adjusted more gently; Beijing rent is set at 100% of Shanghai levels, with other costs adjusted more gently.
Beijing is roughly 36% cheaper day to day than Barcelona, based on typical rent, food, transport and socialising costs.
Cost-of-living figures are indicative estimates compiled from publicly available sources including Numbeo, Mercer Cost of Living and the Economist Intelligence Unit Worldwide Cost of Living survey, adjusted by city using editorial estimates. They are not sourced from TEFL.com listings.
Monthly savings potential
| |
🇪🇸 Barcelona |
🇨🇳 Beijing |
| Est. net monthly salary |
€1,392 (£1,197 / $1,599 / €1,392) |
¥19,959 (£2,195 / $2,933 / €2,553) |
| Est. monthly living costs |
€1,698 (£1,460 / $1,951 / €1,698) |
¥8,500 (£935 / $1,249 / €1,087) |
| Est. monthly savings |
-€306 (-£263 / -$351 / -€306) |
¥11,459 (£1,260 / $1,684 / €1,466) |
Estimated net salary minus estimated monthly living costs (rent, food, transport and socialising combined). A negative figure suggests that city may need savings brought from home or a cheaper lifestyle than assumed here. A rough guide, not a budget.
Benefits breakdown
| |
🇪🇸 Barcelona |
🇨🇳 Beijing |
| 🏖Holiday pay |
50% |
25% |
| 💰Bonus plan |
50% |
13% |
| 🎁Contract completion gratuity |
50% |
0% |
| 🤝Ongoing support |
50% |
0% |
| 📚Training support |
50% |
0% |
| 🏠Accommodation |
0% |
38% |
| ✈Flights |
0% |
38% |
| ⚕Health insurance |
0% |
25% |
| 🛂Visa assistance |
0% |
25% |
| 💕Airport pick-up |
0% |
13% |
| 🏨Temp hotel accommodation |
0% |
13% |
| 🪪Visa sponsorship |
0% |
13% |
Each percentage is the share of included teaching posts for that city whose listing mentioned the benefit. A missing benefit isn't necessarily unavailable, just not stated in the listing.
The verdict
🇪🇸Barcelona
Barcelona is one of Spain's main cities, with living costs to match. Teachers often look at Spain for lifestyle, culture, language immersion. The average teaching salary across recent listings in Barcelona works out at around €1,832 (£1,575 / $2,104 / €1,832) a month. Everyday costs run roughly 56% higher than in Beijing, China, which eats into that salary. On these estimates, typical living costs exceed the average net salary, so budget carefully or look for packages that include accommodation.
🇨🇳Beijing
Beijing is a major centre in China, and priced like one. Teachers often look at China for earning potential, career growth. Based on recent listings in Beijing, the average salary comes to roughly ¥22,176 (£2,439 / $3,259 / €2,837) a month. Everyday living costs come out roughly 36% lower than in Barcelona, Spain. That leaves estimated savings of about ¥11,459 (£1,260 / $1,684 / €1,466) a month after tax and living costs.
Barcelona, Spain and Beijing, China both have plenty to offer EFL teachers. Use the numbers as a guide, then look closely at individual packages.
Browse Barcelona and Beijing jobs at TEFL.com →
