Austin vs Madrid: cost of living for digital nomads

Austin, United States and Madrid, Spain, line by line from the catalogue: what a month costs, rent, food, coworking, safety and internet. Every figure links back to its source on the city page.

The short version

  • Madrid is about 19% cheaper than Austin for a month of nomad living ($2,400 vs $2,950).
  • Rent is the biggest gap: $1,250 in Madrid against $1,500 in Austin.
  • Madrid scores higher on safety (9/10 vs 7/10).
  • Internet is faster in Madrid: 300 Mbps typical against 250 Mbps.
  • Austin is temperate; Madrid is mediterranean.

Austin wins 0 of the measured lines; Madrid wins 8.

LineAustinMadrid
Monthly total (USD)$2,950$2,400
Rent$1,500$1,250
Food$620$520
Transport$90$55
Coworking$200$150
Safety (out of 10)7/109/10
Internet (Mbps)250300
Climatetemperatemediterranean
City sizemetrometro
Settinginlandinland
Nomad score (out of 10)7/109/10

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Costs are typical monthly figures for one person in USD, from the sources named on each city page; safety and internet are the catalogue's own ratings. Check the city pages for the dates each was last verified.