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.

LineBolognaMadrid
Monthly total (USD)$1,970$2,400
Rent$900$1,250
Food$480$520
Transport$40$55
Coworking$150$150
Safety (out of 10)8/109/10
Internet (Mbps)120300
Climatetemperatemediterranean
City sizemidmetro
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.