Cost of Living Comparison Between Gijon and Madrid Cost of Living Comparison Between Gijon and Madrid

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,562 in Gijon versus $2,262 in Madrid.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,384 in Gijon versus $3,324 in Madrid.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,205 in Gijon versus $4,387 in Madrid.

Living in Gijon costs roughly 31% less than in Madrid, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Gijon 17% above, Madrid 70% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Gijon
Madrid
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.69 €15.43
$17.70 €15.43
-0.06%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$51.4 €44.80
$69.7 €60.8
-26.26%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$12.84 €11.19
$11.96 €10.43
7.36%
Cappuccino
$2.27 €1.98
$3.15 €2.75
-27.94%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.84 €2.47
$3.11 €2.71
-8.68%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38 €2.07
$2.22 €1.94
7.21%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.30 €2.88
$4.15 €3.62
-20.48%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.54 €3.96
$4.49 €3.92
1.11%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Gijon
Madrid
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.28 €1.12
$1.25 €1.09
2.40%
White Bread (500g)
$1.87 €1.63
$1.70 €1.48
10.00%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.30 €1.13
$1.70 €1.48
-23.53%
Eggs
$2.82 €2.46
$3.51 €3.06
-19.66%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.28 €10.71
$15.07 €13.14
-18.51%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$8.02 €6.99
$9.24 €8.06
-13.20%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.07 €11.39
$17.07 €14.88
-23.43%
Apples (1kg)
$2.76 €2.41
$2.75 €2.39
0.36%
Banana (1kg)
$2.04 €1.78
$2.14 €1.87
-4.67%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.38 €2.07
$2.49 €2.17
-4.42%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.44 €3.00
$2.75 €2.40
25.09%
Potato (1kg)
$1.66 €1.45
$2.14 €1.87
-22.43%
Onion (1kg)
$2.52 €2.20
$2.18 €1.90
15.60%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.04 €0.91
$1.38 €1.21
-24.64%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.81 €0.70
$0.92 €0.80
-11.96%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$6.23 €5.43
$6.95 €6.06
-10.36%
Wine (Bottle)
$8.05 €7.02
$7.91 €6.90
1.77%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.17 €1.02
$1.38 €1.20
-15.22%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.13 €1.86
$2.24 €1.96
-4.91%
🚌 Getting Around
Gijon
Madrid
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.43 €1.25
$1.79 €1.56
-20.11%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$34.45 €30.03
$48.65 €42.41
-29.19%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$5.71 €4.98
$4.03 €3.52
41.69%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.31 €1.15
$1.33 €1.16
-1.50%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$32.45 €28.29
$29.16 €25.42
11.28%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.85 €1.62
$1.84 €1.60
0.54%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$39.1K €34.1K
$38.1K €33.2K
2.75%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$36.8K €32.1K
$33.4K €29.2K
9.93%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Gijon
Madrid
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$142 €124
$189 €165
-24.68%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$19.72 €17.19
$21.62 €18.85
-8.79%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$27.82 €24.26
$35.96 €31.35
-22.64%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Gijon
Madrid
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$51.5 €44.86
$53.1 €46.28
-3.09%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$10.37 €9.04
$18.13 €15.80
-42.80%
Cinema Ticket
$9.15 €7.98
$11.47 €10.00
-20.23%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Gijon
Madrid
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$499 €435
$662 €578
-24.68%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$10.7K €9,300
$11.9K €10.3K
-10.04%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Gijon
Madrid
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$89.3 €77.8
$97.2 €84.7
-8.15%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.59 €27.54
$43.05 €37.53
-26.62%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$94.4 €82.3
$105 €91.2
-9.83%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$125 €109
$133 €116
-5.97%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Gijon
Madrid
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$788 €687
$1,561 €1,361
-49.50%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$619 €540
$1,129 €985
-45.21%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,297 €1,131
$2,850 €2,484
-54.47%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$984 €858
$1,868 €1,629
-47.34%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,667 €3,197
$9,099 €7,933
-59.70%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,145 €1,870
$4,243 €3,699
-49.45%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Gijon
Madrid
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,907 €1,662
$2,471 €2,154
-22.84%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
3.56
3.43
3.79%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Gijon: July 27, 2026

Last update for Madrid: July 28, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $788 in Gijon and $1,561 in Madrid. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Madrid pays 30% 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: $51.0 in Gijon vs $70.0 in Madrid for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $267 vs $298 per month, with Gijon cheaper across the board.

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
Gijon vs Madrid: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Madrid cheaper than Gijon?
Gijon is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Clothing & Footwear, Sport & Entertainment, Getting Around. The 45% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Gijon or Madrid?
On paper, salaries run 30% 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.
What is the rent difference between Gijon and Madrid?
Rent for a central apartment: $788 in Gijon versus $1,561 in Madrid. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What are total monthly expenses in Gijon and in Madrid?
All in, you'll spend $1,562 per month in Gijon versus $2,262 in Madrid – a 45% 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 Gijon runs roughly 41% less than in Madrid. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Gijon or in Madrid?
At $1,562 in Gijon versus $2,262 in Madrid, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Gijon but tight or insufficient in Madrid. The gap between the two cities makes Gijon the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Gijon or Madrid more family-friendly?
For families, Gijon 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, Gijon or Madrid?
Safety-wise, Gijon 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 Gijon gentler on the wallet – expenses run 45% less than in Madrid. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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