Houston vs Madrid

Cost of living comparison for 2026. Houston is roughly 17% more affordable than Madrid (index 32 vs 39, New York = 100). Data sourced live via AI — updated regularly.

Houston
More affordable overall
17% cheaper than Madrid · Cost index: 32 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

32✓Cost Index39
3,850✓Median Income /mo2,200
42Safety Index71✓
0✓Income Tax %25
315✓Internet (Mbps)200
274Coworking /mo200✓

Price Breakdown

HoustonCategoryMadrid
$1,225/month
1-BR Apartment (Center)
11% cheaper →
$1,370/month
$1.15/liter
Meal for One
4% cheaper →
$1.2/liter
$14/meal
Restaurant (Mid-range)
18% cheaper →
$17/meal
$70/month
Monthly Transit Pass
8% cheaper →
$76/month
$180/month
Utilities (Monthly)
20% cheaper →
$224/month
$120/visit
Doctor Visit
28% ← cheaper
$87/visit

Digital Nomad Profile

Houston

Internet315 Mbps
Coworking$274/mo
Café WiFigood
Englishhigh
Communitysmall
Walkability42/100

Madrid

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Houston cheaper than Madrid?

Houston is cheaper than Madrid. Houston has a cost of living index of 32/100 compared to 39/100 for Madrid (New York = 100), making it roughly 17% more affordable overall.

How much cheaper is Houston than Madrid?

Houston is approximately 17% cheaper than Madrid based on cost index scores (32 vs 39, where New York = 100). A person spending $3,000/month in Madrid could live a similar lifestyle for roughly $2,486/month in Houston.

What is the rent comparison between Houston and Madrid?

In Houston, a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center costs approximately $1,225/month. In Madrid, the equivalent is around $1,370/month.

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

Both cities have nomad infrastructure. Houston offers 315 Mbps internet and coworking at ~$274/month. Madrid offers 200 Mbps and coworking at ~$200/month. Houston has a cost advantage of 17%.

What is the average income in Houston vs Madrid?

The median net monthly salary in Houston is approximately $3,850 USD, compared to $2,200 USD in Madrid.

Compare Houston with…

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

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Same spending tier, different part of the world — the head-to-heads people actually weigh when relocating.

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