Lisbon vs Madrid
Lisbon is approximately 2% more affordable.
Lisbon
8.5/10
VS
Madrid
8/10
Cost of Living
| Expense | Lisbon | Madrid |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR) | $1300 | $1200 |
| Food | $270 | $270 |
| Transport | $43 | $50 |
| Total | $1950 | $2000 |
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| Factor | Lisbon | Madrid |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 8.5/10 | 8/10 |
| Safety | 9/10 | 7.5/10 |
| Weather | 17°C | 15°C |
| Internet | 100+ Mbps fiber | 100+ Mbps |
Lisbon Pros
- 300+ days of sunshine per year — one of Europe's sunniest capitals
- Thriving startup and tech ecosystem — Web Summit, hundreds of startups
- Excellent and affordable food — fresh seafood, pastéis de nata, incredible wine
- High English proficiency among younger population — 70%+ speak some English
Madrid Pros
- Rich cultural scene — Prado, Reina Sofía, 200+ museums, world-class art
- Late-night lifestyle culture — dinner at 10pm, bars open until 3am, weekday socializing normal
- Central Spain location — AVE high-speed trains to Barcelona (2.5hr), Seville (2.5hr)
- Growing tech scene — south Madrid 'Silicon Alley', increasing startup activity
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Get Covered →Verdict: Lisbon is 2% more affordable. Choose Lisbon for digital nomads, or Madrid for culture enthusiasts.