Brussels vs Madrid: cost of living for digital nomads
Brussels, Belgium 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
- Brussels is about 5% cheaper than Madrid for a month of nomad living ($2,280 vs $2,400).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $1,050 in Brussels against $1,250 in Madrid.
- Madrid scores higher on safety (9/10 vs 7/10).
- Internet is faster in Madrid: 300 Mbps typical against 180 Mbps.
- Brussels is temperate; Madrid is mediterranean.
Brussels wins 2 of the measured lines; Madrid wins 6.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Brussels or Madrid?
Brussels is cheaper: about $2,280/month against $2,400/month in Madrid, roughly 5% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Brussels or Madrid?
Madrid scores higher on safety: 9/10 against 7/10 for Brussels.
Which has faster internet, Brussels or Madrid?
Madrid has faster typical internet: 300 Mbps against 180 Mbps in Brussels.
| Line | Brussels | Madrid |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $2,280 | $2,400 |
| Rent | $1,050 | $1,250 |
| Food | $540 | $520 |
| Transport | $60 | $55 |
| Coworking | $170 | $150 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 7/10 | 9/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 180 | 300 |
| Climate | temperate | mediterranean |
| City size | metro | 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): Brussels September 11, 2026, Madrid November 1, 2026.