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Athens vs Madrid

Athens runs about 34% cheaper than Madrid for this household, a difference of 600 USD a month.

View of the Ancient Agora of Athens from Apostolou Pavlou Pedestrian Street on February 16, 2021
Athens
$1,766/month · Greece
George E. Koronaios · CC BY-SA 4.0
Vistas de Madrid desde la azotea del Edificio España (Sky Bar 360º, del Hotel Riu Plaza España). Imagen tomada el 7 de junio de 2021
Madrid
$2,366/month · Spain
Zarateman · CC0
Athens monthly
$1,766
Index 28 (NYC = 100)
Madrid monthly
$2,366
Index 37 (NYC = 100)
Difference
+34%
Madrid relative to Athens
Rent gap
$650
Madrid costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

AthensMadrid
  • Housing
    Housing: Athens $750, Madrid $1,400. Cheaper in Athens.
  • Food
    Food: Athens $520, Madrid $512. Cheaper in Madrid.
  • Transport
    Transport: Athens $95, Madrid $93. Cheaper in Madrid.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Athens $183, Madrid $136. Cheaper in Madrid.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Athens $28, Madrid $35. Cheaper in Athens.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Athens $114, Madrid $119. Cheaper in Athens.
  • Other
    Other: Athens $75, Madrid $72. Cheaper in Madrid.
Each row is one category priced in both cities for the same household. The bar is the gap; exact figures are in the table below.
Interactive — adjust the household

Full comparison

MetricAthensMadrid
Cost
Total monthly cost1,766 USD✓2,366 USD
Cost index (New York = 100)28✓37
Housing750 USD✓1,400 USD
Utilities183 USD136 USD✓
Food520 USD512 USD✓
Transport95 USD93 USD✓
Healthcare28 USD✓35 USD
Lifestyle114 USD✓119 USD
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr4,267 USD5,316 USD✓
Effective tax + social rate48.8%36.2%✓
Left over each month2,501 USD2,950 USD✓
Average local net salary1,150 USD1,900 USD✓
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre750 USD✓1,400 USD
3-bed rent, city centre1,400 USD✓2,500 USD
Buy price per m², centre2,600 USD✓6,500 USD
Quality of life
Safety66/10076/100✓
Healthcare72/10084/100✓
Air quality52/10064/100✓
Public transport72/10092/100✓
Walkability80/10090/100✓
English proficiency64/100✓58/100
Nightlife88/10094/100✓
Family friendliness72/10080/100✓
Median broadband90 Mbps220 Mbps✓
Climate
Average temperature19°C15°C✓
Summer high33°C32°C✓
Winter low7°C✓3°C
Sunshine hours per year2,850 h✓2,770 h
Annual rainfall400 mm✓440 mm
Practicalities
Remote-work visaYesYes
Beach access30 min✓330 min
CurrencyEUREUR
Time zoneEurope/AthensEurope/Madrid

Athens runs about 34% cheaper than Madrid for this household, a difference of 600 USD a month.

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Cost of living in AthensCost of living in MadridConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
Athens vs PortoAthens vs RomeAthens vs Valencia
FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Athens or Madrid cheaper?

Athens runs about 34% cheaper than Madrid for this household, a difference of 600 USD a month.

What salary do you need in Madrid compared with Athens?

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $4,267 a month in Athens and $5,316 in Madrid, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

Which has better quality of life, Athens or Madrid?

Athens scores 66/100 on safety and 72/100 on healthcare; Madrid scores 76 and 84. Athens averages 19°C against 15°C in Madrid.