What all should I worry about when I travel to Barcelona and madrid?
Is food expensive?
I'm coming from Washington, U.S. to Barcelona!
I want to know the general cost of how much I should save up for this trip!

With so few details, the likely responses you'll get will amount to criticism of your post.

Let's put it this way: How would you answer me if I said, "I need to buy a car. How much should I spend?"?

Food is not expensive unless you eat somewhere expensive. How long are in Spain for and what level of cuisine do you expect to enjoy? If you eat fast food all the time it won't cost a lot, if you enjoy fine dining and wines then it will.

Self evident perhaps, but nonetheless true. Your first question appears not to be food related though. Are you asking about personal security? Are you asking about hotels?

Food will not be your major cost. I would anticipate you will spend more on lodging, transportation and possible even entrances to various sights.

Food is one of the costs it's easiest to control (one can do picnics with bread, cheese and sausage from a market and do limited tapas for dinner) unless you are a very big eater or want fine dining.

But without a lot more info from you giving details is not possible.

Spain is one of the less expensive places in europe and I wouldn;t expect prices to be too much higher than in DC.

In Spain we have the menu del día, the menu of the day, which some restaurants even offer for dinner, but is always offered at lunch. And with the exchange rate being what it currently is, you'll be spending far less then what it would have cost just three months ago. Europe right now is the best travel bargin in 10 years. Now if you could only find a reasonably priced flight.

In Madrid and Barcelona, do as the locals and have a three course lunch with drinks included for 8-12€ in local restaurants outside the most touristy areas. You can have paella in large portions for 4€ at very popular Pollo Rico in the Raval District in Barcelona. Great chicken, and three course menu for 6€. http://barcelona-underground.com/pollo-rico-barcelona/
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...a.html#REVIEWS

Fabulous food markets in both cities where you can easily put together an excellent meal/picnic for a few euros. Plenty of excellent food markets in Madrid. Mercado de la Paz is one of the best and a must: http://www.marketmanila.com/archives...e-ayala-madrid
In Barcelona, you should check out both the world famous Boqueria market and Mercat Santa Caterina:
http://www.gardenista.com/posts/la-boqueria-market http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractio...Catalonia.html

In Madrid, you should have the traditional, delicious and hearty Bocadillo de Calamares for some 3€. The bocadillos come with many other tasty fillings as well. Many places in and around Plaza Mayor: http://www.traveler.es/viajes/placer...excelente/5650
Or have the excellent grilled chicken at Casa Mingo for some 8€: http://www.nakedmadrid.com/2014/03/0...l-cider-house/

Many restaurants serve a delicious soup or stew of the day for some 4-5€. I've had several delicious late night portions at Navia at the outskirts of the vibrant Born District in Barcelona. The soups and stews only get better and richer as they simmer for hours: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...Catalonia.html

Hostal Orleans is basic hotel standard in an excellent location in Barcelona for some 60€ for a double. http://www.hostalorleans.com/

La Perla Asturiana is basic hotel standard just off Central landmark Plaza Mayor in Madrid for some 50€ for a double:
https://www.motordereservashoteleras...riana/?lang=en

You can easily live fine in Barcelona and Madrid for some 60€ pp/day including accomodation (single rooms in both places above are some 35-40€).

- Basic hotel standard accomodation in central loc: 30€ pp.

- Food 20€ pp: Three course Menu del dia for lunch + tapas, bocadillos or todays soup or stew with wine in the evening.

- 10€ pp. for extras.