Madrid vs Nairobi: cost of living for digital nomads

Madrid, Spain and Nairobi, Kenya, 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

  • Nairobi is about 46% cheaper than Madrid for a month of nomad living ($1,300 vs $2,400).
  • Rent is the biggest gap: $580 in Nairobi against $1,250 in Madrid.
  • Madrid scores higher on safety (9/10 vs 6/10).
  • Internet is faster in Madrid: 300 Mbps typical against 40 Mbps.
  • Madrid is mediterranean; Nairobi is temperate.

Madrid wins 3 of the measured lines; Nairobi wins 5.

LineMadridNairobi
Monthly total (USD)$2,400$1,300
Rent$1,250$580
Food$520$360
Transport$55$50
Coworking$150$110
Safety (out of 10)9/106/10
Internet (Mbps)30040
Climatemediterraneantemperate
City sizemetrometro
Settinginlandinland
Nomad score (out of 10)9/107/10

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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.