Cost of Living in Madrid

Summary of cost of living in Madrid, Spain:

Restaurants
Edit Range
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant 12.88 $ 8.59-18.25
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course 51.00 $ 34.36-75.15
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal) 8.59 $ 8.59-9.66
Domestic Beer (1 pint draught) 3.11 $ 2.25-4.29
Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle) 3.22 $ 2.68-4.29
Cappuccino (regular) 2.11 $ 1.34-4.29
Coke/Pepsi (12 oz small bottle) 2.51 $ 2.04-3.22
Water (12 oz small bottle) 1.64 $ 1.29-2.68
Markets
Edit
Milk (regular), (1 gallon) 4.00 $ 3.21-4.88
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (1 lb) 1.08 $ 0.49-2.43
Rice (white), (1 lb) 0.64 $ 0.46-1.07
Eggs (regular) (12) 2.62 $ 1.50-3.81
Local Cheese (1 lb) 5.12 $ 2.43-9.25
Chicken Fillets (1 lb) 3.55 $ 2.24-4.38
Beef Round (1 lb) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) 5.79 $ 3.90-8.77
Apples (1 lb) 1.05 $ 0.58-1.46
Banana (1 lb) 0.86 $ 0.58-1.53
Oranges (1 lb) 0.77 $ 0.37-1.46
Tomato (1 lb) 0.97 $ 0.58-1.46
Potato (1 lb) 0.62 $ 0.24-0.97
Onion (1 lb) 0.67 $ 0.34-0.97
Lettuce (1 head) 1.12 $ 0.85-1.61
Water (1.5 liter bottle) 0.75 $ 0.27-2.15
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) 5.37 $ 3.22-9.66
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) 1.11 $ 0.63-1.63
Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle) 1.59 $ 0.91-2.15
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro) 5.48 $ 5.37-6.44
Transportation
Edit
One-way Ticket (Local Transport) 1.61 $ 1.34-2.15
Monthly Pass (Regular Price) 55.83 $ 41.55-64.42
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) 3.76 $ 2.68-5.37
Taxi 1 mile (Normal Tariff) 1.81 $ 1.56-3.46
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) 23.62 $ 21.47-25.77
Gasoline (1 gallon) 6.74 $ 6.42-7.60
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) 27,913.86 $ 25,229.83-32,959.82
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car) 26,280.54 $ 23,619.42-30,061.08
Utilities (Monthly)
Edit
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 915 sq ft Apartment 149.21 $ 111.66-228.14
1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans) 0.05 $ 0.03-0.05
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) 31.63 $ 26.84-53.67
Sports And Leisure
Edit
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult 38.18 $ 18.79-69.78
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend) 11.42 $ 6.98-17.18
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat 9.66 $ 8.59-12.88
Childcare
Edit
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child 512.27 $ 429.44-633.43
International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child 8,934.82 $ 5,368.05-15,030.54
Clothing And Shoes
Edit
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar) 58.01 $ 31.13-118.10
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...) 27.05 $ 16.10-53.68
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) 71.64 $ 53.68-107.36
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes 77.60 $ 56.90-128.83
Rent Per Month
Edit
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre 1,075.53 $ 815.94-1,395.69
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre 812.91 $ 628.06-1,073.61
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre 1,806.83 $ 1,342.01-2,415.62
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre 1,313.35 $ 966.25-1,717.78
Buy Apartment Price
Edit
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre 429.85 $ 369.04-648.32
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre 274.34 $ 229.40-448.83
Salaries And Financing
Edit
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) 2,548.75 $
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate 1.68 1.21-3.21

Prices in Madrid

This city had 3656 entries in the past 12 months by 469 different contributors.
Last update: May 2023
Sources and References
Distribution of Expenses Using Our Statistical Model:
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26 Comments so far
Eduardo on May 17, 2023:
Housing prices and rent have been increasing much quicker than salaries for years. Since last two years it is becoming unsustainable and I already know many people leaving to cheaper cities even provinces.
Carlos on Apr 01, 2023:
Prices coming down, economy is booming in Spain, especially tourism.

Very nice city, lots to do here.
Clara caso on Nov 04, 2022:
I lived in Madrid for 8 years during the 1950’s. I still consider those years the best of my life. I wish I can return to live again in Madrid my ideal city. Continue giving us updates. Love you clara
ALEXANDER MORENO GOMEZ on Jan 19, 2022:
We need to review all current prices because the inflation in Spain is about 6% now, it is affecting food, services, housing and fuel.

Salaries were impacted by the pandemic in general, government is adjusting freelance taxes.
Anonymous on Dec 15, 2021:
"894.83 € for one bedroom apartment in the center"...HA HA HA. Very funny. It's at least 1200€.
Anonymous on Dec 13, 2021:
Real rental prices (for a decent apartment where a human being can live) are much higher! This data are old of 20 years.
Anonymous on Mar 01, 2021:
Spain should've never changed from the peseta to the euro. The euro doesn't have a good track record plus having the euro doesn't allow for Spain to enhance their former currency to market standards.Even if the economy isn't doing well Spain is locked into dues being paid for using the euro. Spain, Italy, Portugal and other countries are feeling the pinch of the failing euro a no win situation.
Anonymous on Feb 25, 2021:
Covid19 is overwhelming in Madrid but now medical personnel within the government are just now notifying the public 167 cases of EBOLA have been confirmed after knowing about it 3 months priory in Madrid and many more in other parts of Spain.To those planning a visit to Spain any time soon cancel your arrangements go elsewhere.
Anonymous on Dec 23, 2020:
Spain is just a warmed over version of Venezuela.
Resident on Nov 18, 2020:
These prices must be from last century!
Why only have international primary school and not "secondary"? That would be around 25k€ a year. The primry is way off!
Crator on Oct 15, 2020:
@Anon on Oct 13, 2020: Can't you see the prices above? You'll starve with that kind of money.
Anon on Oct 13, 2020:
Hi! I got offered a job in madrid with a salary of €1000 a month. Would that be enough to survive in madrid? Thank you!
Pablo on Sep 10, 2020:
Cost of living in Madrid is very flexible. Its not about your salary but on how you spend it. The most expensive commodity in Madrid is that thing called "convenience". If you prefer to be convenient by just going to restaurants instead of cooking your own food, then it would cost you much. If your prefer to take taxi rather than taking buses (monthly pass, its cheap), then, my friend, again, it will cost you much. If you prefer to shop at usual brand stores in the city streets/malls rather than going to factory outlets just outside the city, then it would cost you. In summary, before moving to Madrid or in any city, decide first what kind of living standard you would like to have. Hope this helps.
Franklin.Verne on Jun 07, 2020:
Most people want to transform the world, but few people want to transform themselves
....... on Mar 03, 2020:
How much does it cost to get 1 week pass metro?
Anonymous on Jan 16, 2020:
How much do it cost a pass on metro for 1 week please
Hierba on Nov 29, 2019:
Comment to Guillermo's text.

Yes, 30 day public transport pass costs 20 €, but only for young people (7-25 years old). For older people (26-64 years old) the pass prices vary from 54,60 € - 141,80 €)

Link to the prices:

https://www.metromadrid.es/en/travel-in-the-metro/fares-and-tickets/tickets#panel2
Guillermo on Nov 20, 2019:
Monthly public transport pass only costs 20€ with no applied discounts. It lets you move all across the region and includes all forms of public transport(Metro, buses, Trains,...).
Kooki on Nov 05, 2019:
Thank you so much, Anonymous! That was very helpful!
Anonymous on Oct 19, 2019:
2100 is fine if you're not looking for any very fancy flat.

You are saying gross? So after taxes you will get ~1650€. In Spain companies pay the anual salary in 14 or 12 pays. Depends on the company, sometimes you can choose. It doesn't change the total annually amount you get, just the monthly one. I.e. 25000€/y gross can be (net) ~1650/monthly 12 times or 1400/monthly 12 times + 2 extra 1550€ pays in July and December.

That's just to have in mind your monthly fixes earnings.

These are some tips within the M-30 (freeway surrounding the center). Outside of that M-30 all prizes are chipper but some neighborhoods have difficulties in terms of services, cleaning, robberies and so.

Not too horrible, Madrid center and surroundings are safety and well conserved but there are differences between center and lower rent areas. So I'll be focused on within the M-30.

In Madrid you can rent 50-60m (1 or 2 rooms) apartment with 800€/month + services like heating, cooling, etc.

If you like something bigger 80-100m (2 or 3 rooms) be prepared to pay 1000-1400€. It is a good options if you have a friend and want to share the bills.

You can cover food with 100-150€/month.

Public transports like bus or metro/subway are good options. The adult monthly card with unlimited tickets are about 50-80€ depending on how far you would like to travel.

Having a car is another topic. Taxes, gasoline (1.35€/litre), parking (private ~120€/month, street 30€/year), etc. This is up to you. It is not necessary at all to move in Madrid.

So, let's sum:
800 flat
200 services (Internet, water, cooling, heating, etc)
120 food
60 transportation
grab some beers 40€ (2€/the half pint) restaurants let's say 200 (20-25€ restaurant is normal but you can eat the "menu of the day" or menu del día which is basically a full lunch 2 courses with drink and dessert by 12€.

Then you can live decently paying let's say ~1600 and save the rest for you or any unplanned circumstance.

I've been living in Madrid for 7 years.
Hope this help.

Last note, health care. Don't worry. In Spain all medical assistant is free (it is payed by taxes). So if you have any issue or need to go a medical assessment, emergency or hospital, you are fully covered. Make sure to request the medical card, that's all.
Kooki on Oct 15, 2019:
For an expat, is 2100 euros/month gross salary good enough to live decently in Madrid?
luis roberto on Jul 23, 2019:
hello. How much does an english as second language teacher earn as salary in madrid? Private tutorship or otherwise? Thank you.
Anonymous on Jul 10, 2019:
Average salary 800€, normal working hours. A salary 1600€-slavery hours(more than 12 hours daily), this its the true.
Diego on May 31, 2019:
#Anonymous: yeah right, the medium salary is 1600 euros and people pay €1500 rent as a minimum. Is that why Spaniards live with your parents until death does them apart? Tax rates are 18%-19% for that salary range, they do not start at 28%.
#Danna: you will have to prepare for a long search. Good properties are hard to find and you should budget around €1000. So €3000 without taxes is ~ €2400 - €1000 rent, and you are left with €1400. Which is close to the medium salary in Madrid, so you should be fine. At least of you do not spent too much on clothes etc.
Anonymous on May 29, 2019:
# Danna low end rent for a flat will cost minimum 1,500 Euro per month.3,000 Euro wouldn't be enough gross per month.If that was net you'd be scraping by at 3,000 Euro gross per month isn't a good offer I'd pass on that remember also Spain taxes begin at 28% which would leave you very little money sorry to burst your bubble but honesty is best.
Danna on May 28, 2019:
Hi guys,
is 800 euro/month realistic for a decent flat in Madrid? Nothing fancy, just AC, two separate rooms and not in a bad neighbourhood?
I have an offer for 3000 eur/month gross. Would that be enough for a living? No kids, I do not smoke, a bottle of whiskey every now and then. No clubbing, just an occasional dinner out.