Lisbon vs Madrid

Cost of living comparison for 2026. Lisbon is roughly 29% more affordable than Madrid (index 28 vs 39, New York = 100). Data sourced live via AI — updated regularly.

Lisbon
More affordable overall
29% cheaper than Madrid · Cost index: 28 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

28Cost Index39
1,750Median Income /mo2,200
71Safety Index71
23Income Tax %25
175Internet (Mbps)200
200Coworking /mo200

Price Breakdown

LisbonCategoryMadrid
$1,360/month
1-BR Apartment (Center)
1% cheaper →
$1,370/month
$1.1/liter
Meal for One
8% cheaper →
$1.2/liter
$12/meal
Restaurant (Mid-range)
29% cheaper →
$17/meal
$38/month
Monthly Transit Pass
50% cheaper →
$76/month
$145/month
Utilities (Monthly)
35% cheaper →
$224/month
$60/visit
Doctor Visit
31% cheaper →
$87/visit

Digital Nomad Profile

Lisbon

Internet175 Mbps
Coworking$200/mo
Café WiFigood
Englishmoderate
Communitylarge
Walkability72/100

Madrid

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Lisbon cheaper than Madrid?

Lisbon is cheaper than Madrid. Lisbon has a cost of living index of 28/100 compared to 39/100 for Madrid (New York = 100), making it roughly 29% more affordable overall.

How much cheaper is Lisbon than Madrid?

Lisbon is approximately 29% cheaper than Madrid based on cost index scores (28 vs 39, where New York = 100). A person spending $3,000/month in Madrid could live a similar lifestyle for roughly $2,143/month in Lisbon.

What is the rent comparison between Lisbon and Madrid?

In Lisbon, a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center costs approximately $1,360/month. In Madrid, the equivalent is around $1,370/month.

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

Both cities have nomad infrastructure. Lisbon offers 175 Mbps internet and coworking at ~$200/month. Madrid offers 200 Mbps and coworking at ~$200/month. Lisbon has a cost advantage of 29%.

What is the average income in Lisbon vs Madrid?

The median net monthly salary in Lisbon is approximately $1,750 USD, compared to $2,200 USD in Madrid.

Compare Lisbon with…

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

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