Budapest vs Madrid

Cost of living comparison for 2026. Budapest is roughly 20% more affordable than Madrid (index 31 vs 39, New York = 100). Data sourced live via AI — updated regularly.

Budapest
More affordable overall
20% cheaper than Madrid · Cost index: 31 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

31✓Cost Index39
1,784Median Income /mo2,200✓
75✓Safety Index71
33Income Tax %25✓
150Internet (Mbps)200✓
180✓Coworking /mo200

Price Breakdown

BudapestCategoryMadrid
$882/month
1-BR Apartment (Center)
36% cheaper →
$1,370/month
$0.92/liter
Meal for One
23% cheaper →
$1.2/liter
$10/meal
Restaurant (Mid-range)
41% cheaper →
$17/meal
$29/month
Monthly Transit Pass
62% cheaper →
$76/month
$162/month
Utilities (Monthly)
28% cheaper →
$224/month
$55/visit
Doctor Visit
37% cheaper →
$87/visit

Digital Nomad Profile

Budapest

Internet150 Mbps
Coworking$180/mo
Café WiFigood
Englishmoderate
Communitygrowing
Walkability75/100

Madrid

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Budapest cheaper than Madrid?

Budapest is cheaper than Madrid. Budapest has a cost of living index of 31/100 compared to 39/100 for Madrid (New York = 100), making it roughly 20% more affordable overall.

How much cheaper is Budapest than Madrid?

Budapest is approximately 20% cheaper than Madrid based on cost index scores (31 vs 39, where New York = 100). A person spending $3,000/month in Madrid could live a similar lifestyle for roughly $2,400/month in Budapest.

What is the rent comparison between Budapest and Madrid?

In Budapest, a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center costs approximately $882/month. In Madrid, the equivalent is around $1,370/month.

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

Both cities have nomad infrastructure. Budapest offers 150 Mbps internet and coworking at ~$180/month. Madrid offers 200 Mbps and coworking at ~$200/month. Budapest has a cost advantage of 20%.

What is the average income in Budapest vs Madrid?

The median net monthly salary in Budapest is approximately $1,784 USD, compared to $2,200 USD in Madrid.

Compare Budapest with…

Popular head-to-heads — see exactly where Budapest wins or loses.

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