Madrid vs Puerto Escondido: cost of living for digital nomads
Madrid, Spain and Puerto Escondido, 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
- Puerto Escondido is about 40% cheaper than Madrid for a month of nomad living ($1,450 vs $2,400).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $650 in Puerto Escondido 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; Puerto Escondido is tropical.
Madrid wins 3 of the measured lines; Puerto Escondido wins 5.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Madrid or Puerto Escondido?
Puerto Escondido is cheaper: about $1,450/month against $2,400/month in Madrid, roughly 40% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Madrid or Puerto Escondido?
Madrid scores higher on safety: 9/10 against 7/10 for Puerto Escondido.
Which has faster internet, Madrid or Puerto Escondido?
Madrid has faster typical internet: 300 Mbps against 50 Mbps in Puerto Escondido.
| Line | Madrid | Puerto Escondido |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $2,400 | $1,450 |
| Rent | $1,250 | $650 |
| Food | $520 | $400 |
| Transport | $55 | $45 |
| Coworking | $150 | $110 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 9/10 | 7/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 300 | 50 |
| Climate | mediterranean | tropical |
| City size | metro | small |
| Setting | inland | coast |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 9/10 | 8/10 |
Puerto Escondido
Pacific surf town in Oaxaca — a quieter, cheaper alternative to Tulum with a strong nomad following.
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, Puerto Escondido August 30, 2026.