Bucharest vs Madrid

Cost of living comparison for 2026. Bucharest is roughly 47% more affordable than Madrid (index 20 vs 38, New York = 100). Data sourced live via AI — updated regularly.

Bucharest
More affordable overall
47% cheaper than Madrid · Cost index: 20 vs 38

Life Power at $3,000/mo

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

Head-to-Head Stats

20Cost Index38
1,467Median Income /mo2,200
71Safety Index71
10Income Tax %22
175Internet (Mbps)271
220Coworking /mo200

Price Breakdown

BucharestCategoryMadrid
$663/month
1-BR Apartment (Center)
45% cheaper →
$1,200/month
$1.3/liter
Meal for One
15% ← cheaper
$1.1/liter
$11/meal
Restaurant (Mid-range)
8% cheaper →
$12/meal
$20/month
Monthly Transit Pass
58% cheaper →
$48/month
$204/month
Utilities (Monthly)
31% ← cheaper
$140/month
$35/visit
Doctor Visit
42% cheaper →
$60/visit

Digital Nomad Profile

Bucharest

Internet175 Mbps
Coworking$220/mo
Café WiFiexcellent
Englishmoderate
Communitygrowing
Walkability50/100

Madrid

Internet271 Mbps
Coworking$200/mo
Café WiFigood
Englishmoderate
Communitygrowing
Walkability75/100

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bucharest cheaper than Madrid?

Bucharest is cheaper than Madrid. Bucharest has a cost of living index of 20/100 compared to 38/100 for Madrid (New York = 100), making it roughly 47% more affordable overall.

How much cheaper is Bucharest than Madrid?

Bucharest is approximately 47% cheaper than Madrid based on cost index scores (20 vs 38, where New York = 100). A person spending $3,000/month in Madrid could live a similar lifestyle for roughly $1,588/month in Bucharest.

What is the rent comparison between Bucharest and Madrid?

In Bucharest, a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center costs approximately $663/month. In Madrid, the equivalent is around $1,200/month.

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

Both cities have nomad infrastructure. Bucharest offers 175 Mbps internet and coworking at ~$220/month. Madrid offers 271 Mbps and coworking at ~$200/month. Bucharest has a cost advantage of 47%.

What is the average income in Bucharest vs Madrid?

The median net monthly salary in Bucharest is approximately $1,467 USD, compared to $2,200 USD in Madrid.

Compare Bucharest with…

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