๐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,645 in Alcorcรณn versus $2,270 in Madrid.
๐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,453 in Alcorcรณn versus $3,352 in Madrid.
๐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,261 in Alcorcรณn versus $4,434 in Madrid.
๐Living in Alcorcรณn costs roughly 28% less than in Madrid, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
๐Both cities are pricier than the global median: Alcorcรณn22% above, Madrid69% above.
Currency
๐ฝ Eating Out
Alcorcรณn
Madrid
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.12โฌ14.75
$17.07โฌ14.71
0.29%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$58.4โฌ50.3
$69.5โฌ59.9
-15.96%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.53โฌ9.07
$11.92โฌ10.27
-11.66%
Cappuccino
$2.11โฌ1.82
$3.09โฌ2.66
-31.72%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.00โฌ2.59
$3.10โฌ2.67
-3.23%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.06โฌ1.78
$2.11โฌ1.82
-2.37%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$4.42โฌ3.81
$4.14โฌ3.57
6.76%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.17โฌ3.59
$4.60โฌ3.96
-9.35%
๐ Groceries & Markets
Alcorcรณn
Madrid
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.36โฌ1.17
$1.19โฌ1.02
14.29%
White Bread(500g)
$1.43โฌ1.23
$1.70โฌ1.46
-15.88%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.46โฌ1.26
$1.70โฌ1.46
-14.12%
Eggs
$2.68โฌ2.31
$3.48โฌ3.00
-22.99%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$17.01โฌ14.65
$14.73โฌ12.69
15.48%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$9.00โฌ7.75
$9.07โฌ7.82
-0.77%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$16.73โฌ14.41
$16.75โฌ14.44
-0.12%
Apples(1kg)
$2.57โฌ2.22
$2.61โฌ2.25
-1.53%
Banana(1kg)
$2.23โฌ1.92
$2.22โฌ1.91
0.45%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.45โฌ2.11
$2.51โฌ2.16
-2.39%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.43โฌ2.96
$2.75โฌ2.37
24.73%
Potato(1kg)
$2.06โฌ1.77
$2.14โฌ1.84
-3.74%
Onion(1kg)
$2.28โฌ1.97
$2.13โฌ1.84
7.04%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.41โฌ1.21
$1.39โฌ1.19
1.44%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.73โฌ0.63
$0.97โฌ0.84
-24.74%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.45โฌ5.56
$6.79โฌ5.85
-5.01%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.99โฌ6.89
$8.02โฌ6.91
-0.37%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.18โฌ1.02
$1.44โฌ1.24
-18.06%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.46โฌ2.12
$2.25โฌ1.94
9.33%
๐ Getting Around
Alcorcรณn
Madrid
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.70โฌ1.46
$1.76โฌ1.52
-3.41%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$34.45โฌ29.69
$49.48โฌ42.63
-30.38%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.48โฌ2.13
$4.11โฌ3.55
-39.66%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.03โฌ0.88
$1.39โฌ1.20
-25.90%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$28.46โฌ24.53
$29.01โฌ25.00
-1.90%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.81โฌ1.56
$1.87โฌ1.61
-3.21%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$38.2Kโฌ32.9K
$37.6Kโฌ32.4K
1.59%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$30.5Kโฌ26.3K
$34.1Kโฌ29.3K
-10.37%
๐งพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Alcorcรณn
Madrid
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$115โฌ99.4
$195โฌ168
-40.71%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$21.30โฌ18.35
$21.25โฌ18.31
0.24%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$36.10โฌ31.10
$35.75โฌ30.80
0.98%
๐ Sport & Entertainment
Alcorcรณn
Madrid
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$47.91โฌ41.28
$52.8โฌ45.47
-9.23%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$15.28โฌ13.16
$17.91โฌ15.44
-14.68%
Cinema Ticket
$9.82โฌ8.46
$11.72โฌ10.09
-16.21%
๐งธ Childcare & Education
Alcorcรณn
Madrid
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$516โฌ445
$680โฌ586
-24.10%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$8,277โฌ7,131
$12.3Kโฌ10.6K
-32.51%
๐๐ Clothing & Footwear
Alcorcรณn
Madrid
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$74.0โฌ63.8
$95.8โฌ82.6
-22.80%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.76โฌ36.84
$42.50โฌ36.62
0.61%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$89.7โฌ77.3
$106โฌ91.4
-15.46%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$112โฌ96.2
$137โฌ118
-18.33%
๐ Accommodation & Living
Alcorcรณn
Madrid
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$860โฌ741
$1,609โฌ1,386
-46.52%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$706โฌ608
$1,138โฌ980
-37.95%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,340โฌ1,154
$2,792โฌ2,405
-52.01%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$989โฌ852
$1,915โฌ1,650
-48.38%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,462โฌ2,983
$8,893โฌ7,662
-61.07%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,228โฌ1,920
$4,347โฌ3,745
-48.74%
๐ต Salaries & Financials
Alcorcรณn
Madrid
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$2,584โฌ2,226
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.43
3.43
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input โ minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Alcorcรณn: June 8, 2026
Last update for Madrid: June 6, 2026
Cost Breakdown
๐ A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $860 in Alcorcรณn and $1,609 in Madrid. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
๐Dining out: $58.0 in Alcorcรณn vs $69.0 in Madrid. Groceries flip the comparison at $296 vs $295, with Madrid cheaper for home cooking.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Alcorcรณn vs Madrid: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Madrid cheaper than Alcorcรณn?
Alcorcรณn is cheaper overall, especially in Eating Out, Clothing & Footwear, Sport & Entertainment, Getting Around. The 38% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $2,467 in Alcorcรณn and $3,406 in Madrid to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
What is the rent difference between Alcorcรณn and Madrid?
Rent for a central apartment: $860 in Alcorcรณn versus $1,609 in Madrid. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What are total monthly expenses in Alcorcรณn vs Madrid?
All in, you'll spend $1,645 per month in Alcorcรณn versus $2,270 in Madrid โ a 38% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city has cheaper public transport?
A monthly transit pass in Alcorcรณn runs roughly 44% less than in Madrid. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Is $2,500 a realistic budget for Alcorcรณn or Madrid?
At $1,645 in Alcorcรณn versus $2,270 in Madrid, a $2,500 budget is realistic in Alcorcรณn but tight or insufficient in Madrid. The gap between the two cities makes Alcorcรณn the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Alcorcรณn or Madrid more family-friendly?
For families, Alcorcรณn is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Madrid, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Alcorcรณn or Madrid?
Safety-wise, Alcorcรณn and Madrid are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Alcorcรณn gentler on the wallet โ expenses run 38% less than in Madrid. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.