Madrid vs Porto: cost of living for digital nomads
Madrid, Spain and Porto, Portugal, 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
- Porto is about 21% cheaper than Madrid for a month of nomad living ($1,900 vs $2,400).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $950 in Porto against $1,250 in Madrid.
- Both score 9/10 on safety.
- Internet is faster in Madrid: 300 Mbps typical against 120 Mbps.
- Both have a mediterranean climate.
Madrid wins 1 of the measured lines; Porto wins 5.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Madrid or Porto?
Porto is cheaper: about $1,900/month against $2,400/month in Madrid, roughly 21% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Madrid or Porto?
Madrid and Porto score the same on safety, 9/10 each.
Which has faster internet, Madrid or Porto?
Madrid has faster typical internet: 300 Mbps against 120 Mbps in Porto.
| Line | Madrid | Porto |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $2,400 | $1,900 |
| Rent | $1,250 | $950 |
| Food | $520 | $450 |
| Transport | $55 | $40 |
| Coworking | $150 | $130 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 9/10 | 9/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 300 | 120 |
| Climate | mediterranean | mediterranean |
| City size | metro | metro |
| Setting | inland | coast |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 9/10 | 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): Madrid November 1, 2026, Porto November 7, 2026.