🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,175 in Changwon versus $2,322 in Madrid.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,792 in Changwon versus $3,389 in Madrid.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,409 in Changwon versus $4,456 in Madrid.
🌍Living in Changwon costs roughly 49% less than in Madrid, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Changwon is 15% below, Madrid is 68% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Changwon
Madrid
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.31₩9,808
$18.73€16.15
-60.97%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$27.35₩36.7K
$70.1€60.5
-61.00%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.35₩7,169
$11.90€10.26
-55.04%
Cappuccino
$3.60₩4,831
$3.21€2.76
12.15%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.81₩2,423
$3.37€2.91
-46.29%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.94₩1,256
$2.25€1.94
-58.22%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.91₩3,902
$4.16€3.59
-30.05%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.36₩5,847
$5.33€4.60
-18.20%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Changwon
Madrid
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.31₩3,091
$1.42€1.22
62.68%
White Bread(500g)
$3.13₩4,191
$1.62€1.40
93.21%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.15₩4,228
$1.83€1.58
72.13%
Eggs
$2.60₩3,489
$4.28€3.69
-39.25%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$11.06₩14.8K
$17.06€14.71
-35.17%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$10.52₩14.1K
$9.63€8.30
9.24%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$24.67₩33.1K
$18.52€15.96
33.21%
Apples(1kg)
$11.29₩15.1K
$2.63€2.27
329.28%
Banana(1kg)
$3.67₩4,926
$2.29€1.98
60.26%
Oranges(1kg)
$7.83₩10.5K
$2.59€2.24
202.32%
Tomato(1kg)
$5.89₩7,897
$2.63€2.27
123.95%
Potato(1kg)
$5.89₩7,898
$2.23€1.92
164.13%
Onion(1kg)
$3.27₩4,390
$2.28€1.97
43.42%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.85₩3,818
$1.58€1.36
80.38%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.33₩1,788
$1.08€0.93
23.15%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.40₩4,560
$6.91€5.96
-50.80%
Wine(Bottle)
$18.84₩25.3K
$8.13€7.00
131.73%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.34₩3,141
$1.22€1.05
91.80%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.50₩4,688
$2.25€1.94
55.56%
🚌 Getting Around
Changwon
Madrid
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
-
$1.76€1.52
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$38.04€32.79
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.92₩3,920
$3.82€3.29
-23.56%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.76₩1,023
$1.53€1.32
-50.33%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$16.94₩22.7K
$31.08€26.79
-45.50%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.32₩1,771
$1.84€1.59
-28.26%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.5K₩39.6M
$36.1K€31.1K
-18.13%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$33.5K₩44.9M
$34.2K€29.5K
-2.15%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Changwon
Madrid
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$198₩265.3K
$191€165
3.54%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$35.58₩47.7K
$19.07€16.43
86.58%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$26.96₩36.2K
$35.93€30.97
-24.97%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Changwon
Madrid
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$52.4₩70.3K
$50.5€43.50
3.82%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$19.37€16.69
-
Cinema Ticket
$11.03₩14.8K
$11.50€9.92
-4.09%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Changwon
Madrid
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$630₩844.5K
$719€620
-12.39%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$22.0K₩29.5M
$18.4K€15.8K
19.67%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Changwon
Madrid
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$106₩141.6K
$89.7€77.3
17.69%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$65.4₩87.7K
$45.13€38.90
44.89%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$93.0₩124.7K
$110€94.5
-15.19%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$126₩168.9K
$114€98.4
10.27%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Changwon
Madrid
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$1,577€1,360
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$1,202€1,036
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$2,842€2,450
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$1,883€1,623
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$9,245€7,970
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$4,215€3,633
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Changwon
Madrid
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,661₩2.2M
$2,498€2,154
-33.52%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.22
3.09
36.57%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Changwon: September 6, 2026
Last update for Madrid: September 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
💰Madrid pays 50% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $27.00 in Changwon vs $70.0 in Madrid. Groceries flip the comparison at $484 vs $318, 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
Changwon vs Madrid: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Changwon and in Madrid?
Changwon and Madrid differ by about 98% in total monthly costs ($1,175 vs $2,322 including rent). Changwon is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, salaries run 50% lower in Madrid. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Shoppers in Madrid pay roughly 53% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.
Which city is more expensive overall: Changwon or Madrid?
All in, you'll spend $1,175 per month in Changwon versus $2,322 in Madrid – a 98% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $1,175 in Changwon versus $2,322 in Madrid, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Changwon but tight or insufficient in Madrid. The gap between the two cities makes Changwon the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Changwon and Madrid?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Changwon or Madrid safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Changwon 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.
Where should expats move: Changwon or Madrid?
Expats usually find Changwon gentler on the wallet – expenses run 98% less than in Madrid. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.