Quito vs Madrid

Cost of living comparison for 2026. Quito is roughly 59% more affordable than Madrid (index 16 vs 38, New York = 100). Data sourced live via AI — updated regularly.

Quito
More affordable overall
59% cheaper than Madrid · Cost index: 16 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

16Cost Index38
604Median Income /mo2,200
45Safety Index71
15Income Tax %22
45Internet (Mbps)271
150Coworking /mo200

Price Breakdown

QuitoCategoryMadrid
$730/month
1-BR Apartment (Center)
39% cheaper →
$1,200/month
$0.8/liter
Meal for One
27% cheaper →
$1.1/liter
$8/meal
Restaurant (Mid-range)
33% cheaper →
$12/meal
$25/month
Monthly Transit Pass
48% cheaper →
$48/month
$45/month
Utilities (Monthly)
68% cheaper →
$140/month
$30/visit
Doctor Visit
50% cheaper →
$60/visit

Digital Nomad Profile

Quito

Internet45 Mbps
Coworking$150/mo
Café WiFifair
Englishlow
Communitygrowing
Walkability72/100

Madrid

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Quito cheaper than Madrid?

Quito is cheaper than Madrid. Quito has a cost of living index of 16/100 compared to 38/100 for Madrid (New York = 100), making it roughly 59% more affordable overall.

How much cheaper is Quito than Madrid?

Quito is approximately 59% cheaper than Madrid based on cost index scores (16 vs 38, where New York = 100). A person spending $3,000/month in Madrid could live a similar lifestyle for roughly $1,235/month in Quito.

What is the rent comparison between Quito and Madrid?

In Quito, a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center costs approximately $730/month. In Madrid, the equivalent is around $1,200/month.

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

Both cities have nomad infrastructure. Quito offers 45 Mbps internet and coworking at ~$150/month. Madrid offers 271 Mbps and coworking at ~$200/month. Quito has a cost advantage of 59%.

What is the average income in Quito vs Madrid?

The median net monthly salary in Quito is approximately $604 USD, compared to $2,200 USD in Madrid.

Compare Quito with…

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

Cities that cost about the same as Quito

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