Barcelos vs Póvoa de Varzim: cost of living compared
versus
Yearly saving in Barcelos
€1,690/year
For a single person buying a home, Barcelos works out cheaper. A home in Barcelos costs €41,520 less.
You will
Household
Transport
60 m²
More adjustments
BarcelosPóvoa de Varzim
Estimated home price · 60 m²€106,800Δ €41,520€148,320
On the day you buy
Down payment€10,680€14,832
Transfer tax (IMT)€9€925
Stamp duty · purchase€854€1,187
Stamp duty · loan€577€801
Total upfront€12,120€17,744
Monthly payment€370€514
Mortgage payments35 years at 3.00% · 90% financed
€4,439€6,165
€1,726less in Barcelos
Property tax (IMI)1VPT estimated at 50% of price
€176€222
€46less in Barcelos
Water, sewage and wasteOfficial tariffs · 4 m³/month
€311€225
€86less in Póvoa de Varzim
ElectricityERSE regulated tariff · 1,469 kWh/year
€380€380
same in both
GasNatural gas, regulated tariff
€209€228
€19less in Barcelos
Income tax refunded by the municipalityBarcelos gives back 0.3%, Póvoa de Varzim gives back 1%
€5€20
€15less in Póvoa de Varzim
Total per yearItems with data for both
€5,510€7,200
€1,690less in Barcelos
1 Property tax estimated using a taxable value (VPT) of 50% of market price. Enter the VPT from your property record for an exact figure.
Average rate on new housing loans: 3.00% (August 2026, Banco de Portugal).
Source: Portal das Finanças, taxas de IMI por município · 2025 · Source: Portal das Finanças, participação dos municípios no IRS · 2026 · Source: INE · 2nd quarter of 2026 · Energy: ERSE, October 2026
Beyond the cost
Mortgage payment ÷ 1 × local median gross salary
35%48%
13%better in Barcelos
House price rise over 5 yearsMedian sale price (€/m²), over 5 years
+94%+79%
15 pointsrose more in Barcelos
Crime rateRecorded crimes per 1 000 residents
16.0/100019.2/1000
3.2/1000better in Barcelos
Average commuteOne way to work or school
17 min19 min
2 minbetter in Barcelos
Average salary (gross)Average monthly earnings, by place of work
€1,267/month€1,324/month
€57/monthbetter in Póvoa de Varzim
Median salary (gross)Half of workers earn less than this, by place of work
€1,055/month€1,081/month
€26/monthbetter in Póvoa de Varzim
Purchasing power (Portugal = 100)Per-capita index
82.295.0
12.8better in Póvoa de Varzim
PharmaciesPer 1,000 people
0.20/10000.20/1000
same in both
Nearest emergency departmentAverage straight-line distance from where residents live to the nearest hospital emergency department
5.4 km2.8 km
2.6 kmbetter in Póvoa de Varzim
CrèchesPublic, non-profit (IPSS) and private crèches and childminders, children under 3 (above 100: more places than children)
