Madrid vs Oaxaca: cost of living for digital nomads

Madrid, Spain and Oaxaca, Mexico, 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

  • Oaxaca is about 50% cheaper than Madrid for a month of nomad living ($1,200 vs $2,400).
  • Rent is the biggest gap: $520 in Oaxaca against $1,250 in Madrid.
  • Madrid scores higher on safety (9/10 vs 7/10).
  • Internet is faster in Madrid: 300 Mbps typical against 50 Mbps.
  • Madrid is mediterranean; Oaxaca is temperate.

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

LineMadridOaxaca
Monthly total (USD)$2,400$1,200
Rent$1,250$520
Food$520$340
Transport$55$40
Coworking$150$100
Safety (out of 10)9/107/10
Internet (Mbps)30050
Climatemediterraneantemperate
City sizemetromid
Settinginlandinland
Nomad score (out of 10)9/108/10

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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.