Bologna vs Madrid: cost of living for digital nomads
Bologna, Italy 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
- Bologna is about 18% cheaper than Madrid for a month of nomad living ($1,970 vs $2,400).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $900 in Bologna against $1,250 in Madrid.
- Madrid scores higher on safety (9/10 vs 8/10).
- Internet is faster in Madrid: 300 Mbps typical against 120 Mbps.
- Bologna is temperate; Madrid is mediterranean.
Bologna wins 4 of the measured lines; Madrid wins 3.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Bologna or Madrid?
Bologna is cheaper: about $1,970/month against $2,400/month in Madrid, roughly 18% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Bologna or Madrid?
Madrid scores higher on safety: 9/10 against 8/10 for Bologna.
Which has faster internet, Bologna or Madrid?
Madrid has faster typical internet: 300 Mbps against 120 Mbps in Bologna.
| Line | Bologna | Madrid |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,970 | $2,400 |
| Rent | $900 | $1,250 |
| Food | $480 | $520 |
| Transport | $40 | $55 |
| Coworking | $150 | $150 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 8/10 | 9/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 120 | 300 |
| Climate | temperate | mediterranean |
| City size | mid | metro |
| Setting | inland | inland |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 7/10 | 9/10 |
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. Cost figures verified (Eastern Time): Bologna September 10, 2026, Madrid November 1, 2026.