Monterrey vs Madrid

Cost of living comparison for 2026. Monterrey is roughly 15% more affordable than Madrid (index 32 vs 38, New York = 100). Data sourced live via AI — updated regularly.

Monterrey
More affordable overall
15% cheaper than Madrid · Cost index: 32 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

32Cost Index38
1,350Median Income /mo2,200
52Safety Index71
18Income Tax %22
80Internet (Mbps)271
220Coworking /mo200

Price Breakdown

MonterreyCategoryMadrid
$1,155/month
1-BR Apartment (Center)
4% cheaper →
$1,200/month
$1.1/liter
Meal for One
$1.1/liter
$14/meal
Restaurant (Mid-range)
14% ← cheaper
$12/meal
$65/month
Monthly Transit Pass
26% ← cheaper
$48/month
$128/month
Utilities (Monthly)
9% cheaper →
$140/month
$65/visit
Doctor Visit
8% ← cheaper
$60/visit

Digital Nomad Profile

Monterrey

Internet80 Mbps
Coworking$220/mo
Café WiFigood
Englishmoderate
Communitygrowing
Walkability62/100

Madrid

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Monterrey cheaper than Madrid?

Monterrey is cheaper than Madrid. Monterrey has a cost of living index of 32/100 compared to 38/100 for Madrid (New York = 100), making it roughly 15% more affordable overall.

How much cheaper is Monterrey than Madrid?

Monterrey is approximately 15% cheaper than Madrid based on cost index scores (32 vs 38, where New York = 100). A person spending $3,000/month in Madrid could live a similar lifestyle for roughly $2,559/month in Monterrey.

What is the rent comparison between Monterrey and Madrid?

In Monterrey, a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center costs approximately $1,155/month. In Madrid, the equivalent is around $1,200/month.

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

Both cities have nomad infrastructure. Monterrey offers 80 Mbps internet and coworking at ~$220/month. Madrid offers 271 Mbps and coworking at ~$200/month. Monterrey has a cost advantage of 15%.

What is the average income in Monterrey vs Madrid?

The median net monthly salary in Monterrey is approximately $1,350 USD, compared to $2,200 USD in Madrid.

Compare Monterrey with…

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

Cities that cost about the same as Monterrey

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