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Berlin vs Madrid

Madrid runs about 21% cheaper than Berlin for this household, a difference of 639 USD a month.

Exterior of Fotografiska Berlin on Oranienburger Straße showing the front facade of the building. ©PionStudio
Berlin
$3,008/month · Germany
Shaysd · 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
$2,369/month · Spain
Zarateman · CC0
Berlin monthly
$3,008
Index 47 (NYC = 100)
Madrid monthly
$2,369
Index 37 (NYC = 100)
Difference
-21%
Madrid relative to Berlin
Rent gap
$50
Berlin costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

BerlinMadrid
  • Housing
    Housing: Berlin $1,450, Madrid $1,400. Cheaper in Madrid.
  • Food
    Food: Berlin $558, Madrid $512. Cheaper in Madrid.
  • Transport
    Transport: Berlin $195, Madrid $93. Cheaper in Madrid.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Berlin $242, Madrid $139. Cheaper in Madrid.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Berlin $327, Madrid $35. Cheaper in Madrid.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Berlin $120, Madrid $119. Cheaper in Madrid.
  • Other
    Other: Berlin $115, 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

MetricBerlinMadrid
Cost
Total monthly cost3,008 USD2,369 USD✓
Cost index (New York = 100)4737✓
Housing1,450 USD1,400 USD✓
Utilities242 USD139 USD✓
Food558 USD512 USD✓
Transport195 USD93 USD✓
Healthcare327 USD35 USD✓
Lifestyle120 USD119 USD✓
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr4,965 USD5,316 USD✓
Effective tax + social rate40.4%36.2%✓
Left over each month1,958 USD2,947 USD✓
Average local net salary2,700 USD✓1,900 USD
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre1,450 USD1,400 USD✓
3-bed rent, city centre2,700 USD2,500 USD✓
Buy price per m², centre7,800 USD6,500 USD✓
Quality of life
Safety68/10076/100✓
Healthcare84/10084/100
Air quality70/100✓64/100
Public transport90/10092/100✓
Walkability88/10090/100✓
English proficiency78/100✓58/100
Nightlife94/10094/100
Family friendliness78/10080/100✓
Median broadband140 Mbps220 Mbps✓
Climate
Average temperature11°C✓15°C
Summer high25°C✓32°C
Winter low-1°C3°C✓
Sunshine hours per year1,630 h2,770 h✓
Annual rainfall570 mm440 mm✓
Practicalities
Remote-work visaYesYes
Beach accessNone nearby330 min✓
CurrencyEUREUR
Time zoneEurope/BerlinEurope/Madrid

Madrid runs about 21% cheaper than Berlin for this household, a difference of 639 USD a month.

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FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Berlin or Madrid cheaper?

Madrid runs about 21% cheaper than Berlin for this household, a difference of 639 USD a month.

What salary do you need in Madrid compared with Berlin?

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $4,965 a month in Berlin and $5,316 in Madrid, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

Which has better quality of life, Berlin or Madrid?

Berlin scores 68/100 on safety and 84/100 on healthcare; Madrid scores 76 and 84. Berlin averages 11°C against 15°C in Madrid.