Cape Town vs Madrid

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

Cape Town
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
1,620Median Income /mo2,200
50Safety Index71
16Income Tax %22
75Internet (Mbps)271
110Coworking /mo200

Price Breakdown

Cape TownCategoryMadrid
$1,100/month
1-BR Apartment (Center)
8% cheaper →
$1,200/month
$1/liter
Meal for One
9% cheaper →
$1.1/liter
$11/meal
Restaurant (Mid-range)
8% cheaper →
$12/meal
$55/month
Monthly Transit Pass
13% ← cheaper
$48/month
$80/month
Utilities (Monthly)
43% cheaper →
$140/month
$60/visit
Doctor Visit
$60/visit

Digital Nomad Profile

Cape Town

Internet75 Mbps
Coworking$110/mo
Café WiFigood
Englishhigh
Communitygrowing
Walkability70/100

Madrid

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cape Town cheaper than Madrid?

Cape Town is cheaper than Madrid. Cape Town 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 Cape Town than Madrid?

Cape Town 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 Cape Town.

What is the rent comparison between Cape Town and Madrid?

In Cape Town, a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center costs approximately $1,100/month. In Madrid, the equivalent is around $1,200/month.

Which city is better for digital nomads — Cape Town or Madrid?

Both cities have nomad infrastructure. Cape Town offers 75 Mbps internet and coworking at ~$110/month. Madrid offers 271 Mbps and coworking at ~$200/month. Cape Town has a cost advantage of 47%.

What is the average income in Cape Town vs Madrid?

The median net monthly salary in Cape Town is approximately $1,620 USD, compared to $2,200 USD in Madrid.

Compare Cape Town with…

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