Bucharest vs Madrid

Cost of living comparison for 2026. Bucharest is roughly 43% more affordable than Madrid (index 22 vs 39, New York = 100). Data sourced live via AI — updated regularly.

Bucharest
More affordable overall
43% cheaper than Madrid · Cost index: 22 vs 39

Life Power at $3,000/mo

The same salary ranks differently depending on where you live — from Beggar to King.

Head-to-Head Stats

22✓Cost Index39
1,170Median Income /mo2,200✓
71Safety Index71
10✓Income Tax %25
260✓Internet (Mbps)200
175✓Coworking /mo200

Price Breakdown

BucharestCategoryMadrid
$630/month
1-BR Apartment (Center)
54% cheaper →
$1,370/month
$1.4/liter
Meal for One
14% ← cheaper
$1.2/liter
$7.5/meal
Restaurant (Mid-range)
56% cheaper →
$17/meal
$23/month
Monthly Transit Pass
70% cheaper →
$76/month
$92/month
Utilities (Monthly)
59% cheaper →
$224/month
$45/visit
Doctor Visit
48% cheaper →
$87/visit

Digital Nomad Profile

Bucharest

Internet260 Mbps
Coworking$175/mo
Café WiFigood
Englishmoderate
Communitygrowing
Walkability65/100

Madrid

Internet200 Mbps
Coworking$200/mo
Café WiFigood
Englishmoderate
Communitygrowing
Walkability74/100

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bucharest cheaper than Madrid?

Bucharest is cheaper than Madrid. Bucharest has a cost of living index of 22/100 compared to 39/100 for Madrid (New York = 100), making it roughly 43% more affordable overall.

How much cheaper is Bucharest than Madrid?

Bucharest is approximately 43% cheaper than Madrid based on cost index scores (22 vs 39, where New York = 100). A person spending $3,000/month in Madrid could live a similar lifestyle for roughly $1,714/month in Bucharest.

What is the rent comparison between Bucharest and Madrid?

In Bucharest, a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center costs approximately $630/month. In Madrid, the equivalent is around $1,370/month.

Which city is better for digital nomads — Bucharest or Madrid?

Both cities have nomad infrastructure. Bucharest offers 260 Mbps internet and coworking at ~$175/month. Madrid offers 200 Mbps and coworking at ~$200/month. Bucharest has a cost advantage of 43%.

What is the average income in Bucharest vs Madrid?

The median net monthly salary in Bucharest is approximately $1,170 USD, compared to $2,200 USD in Madrid.

Compare Bucharest with…

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