Holetown vs Madrid: cost of living for digital nomads
Holetown, Barbados 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 6% cheaper than Holetown for a month of nomad living ($2,400 vs $2,560).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $1,250 in Madrid against $1,350 in Holetown.
- Madrid scores higher on safety (9/10 vs 8/10).
- Internet is faster in Madrid: 300 Mbps typical against 150 Mbps.
- Holetown is tropical; Madrid is mediterranean.
Holetown wins 1 of the measured lines; Madrid wins 7.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Holetown or Madrid?
Madrid is cheaper: about $2,400/month against $2,560/month in Holetown, roughly 6% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Holetown or Madrid?
Madrid scores higher on safety: 9/10 against 8/10 for Holetown.
Which has faster internet, Holetown or Madrid?
Madrid has faster typical internet: 300 Mbps against 150 Mbps in Holetown.
| Line | Holetown | Madrid |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $2,560 | $2,400 |
| Rent | $1,350 | $1,250 |
| Food | $590 | $520 |
| Transport | $60 | $55 |
| Coworking | $130 | $150 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 8/10 | 9/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 150 | 300 |
| Climate | tropical | mediterranean |
| City size | small | metro |
| Setting | island | 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): Holetown September 11, 2026, Madrid November 1, 2026.