Madrid vs Lisbon

Cost of living comparison for 2026. Lisbon is roughly 4% more affordable than Madrid (index 36 vs 38, New York = 100). Data sourced live via AI — updated regularly.

Lisbon
More affordable overall
4% cheaper than Madrid · Cost index: 36 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

38Cost Index36
2,200Median Income /mo1,460
71Safety Index78
22Income Tax %25
271Internet (Mbps)176
200Coworking /mo220

Price Breakdown

MadridCategoryLisbon
$1,200/month
1-BR Apartment (Center)
13% cheaper →
$1,380/month
$1.1/liter
Meal for One
23% ← cheaper
$0.85/liter
$12/meal
Restaurant (Mid-range)
$12/meal
$48/month
Monthly Transit Pass
17% ← cheaper
$40/month
$140/month
Utilities (Monthly)
3% cheaper →
$145/month
$60/visit
Doctor Visit
$60/visit

Digital Nomad Profile

Madrid

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

Lisbon

Internet176 Mbps
Coworking$220/mo
Café WiFigood
Englishhigh
Communitylarge
Walkability78/100

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Madrid cheaper than Lisbon?

Lisbon is cheaper than Madrid. Lisbon has a cost of living index of 36/100 compared to 38/100 for Madrid (New York = 100), making it roughly 4% more affordable overall.

How much cheaper is Lisbon than Madrid?

Lisbon is approximately 4% cheaper than Madrid based on cost index scores (36 vs 38, where New York = 100). A person spending $3,000/month in Madrid could live a similar lifestyle for roughly $2,868/month in Lisbon.

What is the rent comparison between Madrid and Lisbon?

In Madrid, a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center costs approximately $1,200/month. In Lisbon, the equivalent is around $1,380/month.

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

Both cities have nomad infrastructure. Madrid offers 271 Mbps internet and coworking at ~$200/month. Lisbon offers 176 Mbps and coworking at ~$220/month. Lisbon has a cost advantage of 4%.

What is the average income in Madrid vs Lisbon?

The median net monthly salary in Madrid is approximately $2,200 USD, compared to $1,460 USD in Lisbon.

Compare Madrid with…

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

Cities that cost about the same as Madrid

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

Explore this comparison interactively

See radar charts, detailed category breakdowns, and compare any two cities in real time.

Free to start · No credit card needed