✦ Cost of living
Madrid
Madrid, Spain
US = 100
In plain terms: Madrid is about 3% pricier than a typical US city. A one-bedroom in the centre runs around $1,300/month.
▤ Category breakdown
Index vs the US average — the line marks 100. Lower is cheaper.
- Housing120+20%
- Food & groceries100−0%
- Transport80−20%
- Utilities110+10%
- Healthcare80−20%
- Goods & services100−0%
About
Spain's sunny, sociable capital — great transit and food, affordable by Western-European standards.
- Currency
- Euro · EUR
- Languages
- Spanish
- Coordinates
- 40.42, -3.70
- Emergency
- 112
What things cost
Taxes
47%
Income tax
progressive
21%
VAT / sales
6.35%
Social (employee)
25%
Corporate
28%
Capital gains
$1,900
Avg net salary
per month
Visas & residency
Digital Nomad Visa and non-lucrative visa are popular expat routes.
✈ Schengen 90/180 for many passports.
Remote income + Beckham-law tax option.
Proof of passive income.
Permanent residence after ~5 yrs. Citizenship after ~10 yrs.
Quality of life
Safety
62/100
Healthcare
80/100
Pollution
45/100
Internet
200 Mbps
Jan avg
+6 °C
Jul avg
+25 °C
Sunny days
250/yr
Walkability
88/100
Relocation & documents
Coming soonWhere to look
Updated: 2026-08-14 · Sources: Cost/quality survey (placeholder) · National tax authority / OECD (headline figures)
? Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to live in Madrid, ES?
Madrid, ES's cost-of-living index is 103 (US average = 100) — about 3% more expensive than a typical US city. A one-bedroom apartment in the centre costs around $1,300 per month.
What is the average rent in Madrid, ES?
A one-bedroom in the city centre averages about $1,300 per month, and around $950 outside the centre.
What taxes would I pay in Spain?
Spain has a top income-tax rate of 47% and a VAT or sales tax of 21%. See the taxes section above for the full breakdown.
What is the weather like in Madrid, ES?
Madrid, ES averages around +6 °C in January and +25 °C in July, with roughly 250 sunny days a year.
❖ Compare Madrid with…
Estimates use approximate cost-of-living indices (US average = 100) and are for general guidance only.