Madrid vs Montevideo: cost of living for digital nomads
Madrid, Spain and Montevideo, Uruguay, 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
- Montevideo is about 29% cheaper than Madrid for a month of nomad living ($1,700 vs $2,400).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $780 in Montevideo against $1,250 in Madrid.
- Madrid scores higher on safety (9/10 vs 8/10).
- Internet is faster in Madrid: 300 Mbps typical against 100 Mbps.
- Madrid is mediterranean; Montevideo is temperate.
Madrid wins 3 of the measured lines; Montevideo wins 5.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Madrid or Montevideo?
Montevideo is cheaper: about $1,700/month against $2,400/month in Madrid, roughly 29% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Madrid or Montevideo?
Madrid scores higher on safety: 9/10 against 8/10 for Montevideo.
Which has faster internet, Madrid or Montevideo?
Madrid has faster typical internet: 300 Mbps against 100 Mbps in Montevideo.
| Line | Madrid | Montevideo |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $2,400 | $1,700 |
| Rent | $1,250 | $780 |
| Food | $520 | $450 |
| Transport | $55 | $45 |
| Coworking | $150 | $130 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 9/10 | 8/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 300 | 100 |
| Climate | mediterranean | temperate |
| City size | metro | metro |
| Setting | inland | coast |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 9/10 | 7/10 |
Compare Montevideo with
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): Madrid November 1, 2026, Montevideo October 31, 2026.