Bangkok vs Madrid: cost of living for digital nomads

Bangkok, Thailand 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

  • Bangkok is about 28% cheaper than Madrid for a month of nomad living ($1,720 vs $2,400).
  • Rent is the biggest gap: $720 in Bangkok against $1,250 in Madrid.
  • Madrid scores higher on safety (9/10 vs 7/10).
  • Internet is faster in Madrid: 300 Mbps typical against 230 Mbps.
  • Bangkok is tropical; Madrid is mediterranean.

Bangkok wins 4 of the measured lines; Madrid wins 3.

LineBangkokMadrid
Monthly total (USD)$1,720$2,400
Rent$720$1,250
Food$420$520
Transport$60$55
Coworking$130$150
Safety (out of 10)7/109/10
Internet (Mbps)230300
Climatetropicalmediterranean
City sizemetrometro
Settinginlandinland
Nomad score (out of 10)9/109/10

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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.