Coworking Price vs. Traditional Office Rent: What’s Really More Affordable?

When a team is looking for a private office we usually get the question of: why is your space so expensive compared to the office lease we see in idealista or other websites? And they follow with: Is a coworking space really worth the price compared to renting a private office? Our coworking prices at Makers of Barcelona might look higher than a lease of an office at first glance but a deeper cost breakdown often proves otherwise.

The Real Coworking Price

A private office at Makers of Barcelona coworking starts at €1080 per month and includes 4 seats; each additional seat is €270. This monthly fee bundles together all core business essentials:

• Utilities (electricity, heating, water, and air conditioning)
• High-speed internet
• Cleaning and maintenance
• Security and access control
• Furniture and basic office equipment
• Reception and mail-handling services
• Insurance and community management

As a result, businesses get a single, predictable monthly payment without worrying about unforeseen expenses or multi-year commitments.

Additionally with an office at one of our spaces you get more square meters that you are paying for: You have your private office but on top of that you get access to our meeting rooms, to the kitchen and all the common areas of our coworkings. 

Costs of a Traditional Office Lease

Traditional office leases often appear cheaper than an office in a coworking space — for example, €17,76 is the medium price per square meter per month in Barcelona and in the areas where our coworkings are located the medium price is €23,99 per square meter for an office lease.

You can see more information about prices here.

However, that only covers the rent of the space itself. Once you add all operational expenses, the total cost will rise:

• Utilities: depending on usage and size
• Internet and phone: €30–60/month
• Cleaning and maintenance: €17-18€ per hour for cleaning, maintenance 50€ per visit.
• Furniture and setup: one-time investment of €3,000–10,000 or even more.
• Insurance and security: €30-$50/month
• Administrative staff or reception: For an employee earning €1,200 will cost the company €2.096 € to €2.160 per month.
• Repairs and building fees: variable over time.

In addition, traditional leases often require long-term contracts and contacts fees that are not charged in a coworking space — limiting flexibility if your team needs to grow or downsize.

Monthly Comparison Example

So for an office for 4 people that has a typical 16 square meters inside our coworking, with access to the common areas and the meeting rooms included.

Even though the coworking price appears higher initially, the all-inclusive model often cuts total monthly costs by more than 50% once all expenses of a private office are factored in. Even if you don’t hire someone to manage your office the price would be quite the same between a coworking and a traditional place to rent, but we are skipping maintenance prices and even considering a place too small for your team. 

Flexibility and Value Beyond Price

Beyond cost, coworking spaces add intangible value: they provide short-term contracts, the chance to network with other professionals, and access to shared facilities such as meeting rooms, phone booths, and common lounges. For startups or growing businesses, this flexibility can reduce financial risk and help focus on operations instead of overhead.

Final Thoughts

When comparing coworking prices to traditional office rent, it becomes clear that coworking offers greater cost efficiency, predictable budgeting, and operational convenience. For freelancers, small businesses, and even corporate teams seeking satellite offices, the coworking model not only saves money — it saves time, energy, and long-term commitment headaches.