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Lisbon vs Madrid

Lisbon and Madrid cost within a few percent of each other for this household — decide on everything except money.

Aerial view of Augusta Street, Lisbon
Lisbon
$2,416/month · Portugal
Hugo Schneider · CC BY 2.0
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
Lisbon monthly
$2,416
Index 38 (NYC = 100)
Madrid monthly
$2,369
Index 37 (NYC = 100)
Difference
-2%
Madrid relative to Lisbon
Rent gap
$50
Lisbon costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

LisbonMadrid
  • Housing
    Housing: Lisbon $1,450, Madrid $1,400. Cheaper in Madrid.
  • Food
    Food: Lisbon $523, Madrid $512. Cheaper in Madrid.
  • Transport
    Transport: Lisbon $82, Madrid $93. Cheaper in Lisbon.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Lisbon $138, Madrid $139. Cheaper in Lisbon.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Lisbon $31, Madrid $35. Cheaper in Lisbon.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Lisbon $120, Madrid $119. Cheaper in Madrid.
  • Other
    Other: Lisbon $72, Madrid $72. Cheaper in Lisbon.
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

MetricLisbonMadrid
Cost
Total monthly cost2,416 USD2,369 USD✓
Cost index (New York = 100)3837✓
Housing1,450 USD1,400 USD✓
Utilities138 USD✓139 USD
Food523 USD512 USD✓
Transport82 USD✓93 USD
Healthcare31 USD✓35 USD
Lifestyle120 USD119 USD✓
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr4,561 USD5,316 USD✓
Effective tax + social rate45.3%36.2%✓
Left over each month2,145 USD2,947 USD✓
Average local net salary1,500 USD1,900 USD✓
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre1,450 USD1,400 USD✓
3-bed rent, city centre2,600 USD2,500 USD✓
Buy price per m², centre6,000 USD✓6,500 USD
Quality of life
Safety78/100✓76/100
Healthcare72/10084/100✓
Air quality80/100✓64/100
Public transport80/10092/100✓
Walkability86/10090/100✓
English proficiency82/100✓58/100
Nightlife88/10094/100✓
Family friendliness76/10080/100✓
Median broadband180 Mbps220 Mbps✓
Climate
Average temperature17°C15°C✓
Summer high28°C✓32°C
Winter low8°C✓3°C
Sunshine hours per year2,800 h✓2,770 h
Annual rainfall760 mm440 mm✓
Practicalities
Remote-work visaYesYes
Beach access20 min✓330 min
CurrencyEUREUR
Time zoneEurope/LisbonEurope/Madrid

Lisbon and Madrid cost within a few percent of each other for this household — decide on everything except money.

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Cost of living in LisbonCost of living in MadridConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
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FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Lisbon or Madrid cheaper?

Lisbon and Madrid cost within a few percent of each other for this household — decide on everything except money.

What salary do you need in Madrid compared with Lisbon?

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $4,561 a month in Lisbon and $5,316 in Madrid, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

Which has better quality of life, Lisbon or Madrid?

Lisbon scores 78/100 on safety and 72/100 on healthcare; Madrid scores 76 and 84. Lisbon averages 17°C against 15°C in Madrid.