🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,920 in L'Hospitalet de Llobregat versus $2,253 in Madrid.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,681 in L'Hospitalet de Llobregat versus $3,329 in Madrid.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,443 in L'Hospitalet de Llobregat versus $4,404 in Madrid.
🙂Living in L'Hospitalet de Llobregat costs roughly 15% less than in Madrid, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: L'Hospitalet de Llobregat43% above, Madrid68% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
L'Hospitalet de Llobregat
Madrid
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$14.82€12.75
$17.05€14.66
-13.08%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$58.1€49.94
$68.6€59.0
-15.33%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$12.75€10.97
$11.73€10.09
8.70%
Cappuccino
$2.52€2.17
$3.06€2.63
-17.65%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.46€2.12
$3.21€2.76
-23.36%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.99€1.71
$2.18€1.87
-8.72%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.56€3.06
$3.94€3.39
-9.64%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.42€2.94
$4.67€4.02
-26.77%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
L'Hospitalet de Llobregat
Madrid
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.25€1.07
$1.20€1.03
4.17%
White Bread(500g)
$1.30€1.12
$1.68€1.45
-22.62%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.74€1.50
$1.69€1.45
2.96%
Eggs
$2.83€2.44
$3.34€2.88
-15.27%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$11.46€9.86
$14.91€12.83
-23.14%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.62€7.42
$8.93€7.68
-3.47%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$13.99€12.04
$16.84€14.49
-16.92%
Apples(1kg)
$2.66€2.29
$2.73€2.34
-2.56%
Banana(1kg)
$2.05€1.76
$2.11€1.82
-2.84%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.06€1.78
$2.54€2.19
-18.90%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.35€2.02
$2.65€2.28
-11.32%
Potato(1kg)
$1.90€1.64
$2.15€1.85
-11.63%
Onion(1kg)
$1.85€1.59
$2.10€1.81
-11.90%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.47€1.27
$1.35€1.17
8.89%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.75€0.64
$0.97€0.84
-22.68%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.53€5.62
$6.82€5.87
-4.25%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.95€5.12
$8.15€7.01
-26.99%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.38€1.19
$1.39€1.20
-0.72%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.01€1.73
$2.19€1.88
-8.22%
🚌 Getting Around
L'Hospitalet de Llobregat
Madrid
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.77€2.38
$1.77€1.52
56.50%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$46.81€40.27
$49.07€42.21
-4.61%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.73€3.21
$4.01€3.45
-6.98%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.29€1.11
$1.33€1.14
-3.01%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$26.27€22.60
$29.19€25.11
-10.00%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.89€1.63
$1.93€1.66
-2.07%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$36.4K€31.3K
$37.2K€32.0K
-2.15%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.3K€27.8K
$34.4K€29.6K
-6.06%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
L'Hospitalet de Llobregat
Madrid
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$184€158
$195€167
-5.49%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.21€11.36
$21.66€18.64
-39.01%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$30.57€26.30
$35.51€30.54
-13.91%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
L'Hospitalet de Llobregat
Madrid
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$34.58€29.75
$53.8€46.26
-35.70%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$29.38€25.27
$17.95€15.44
63.68%
Cinema Ticket
$9.96€8.56
$11.55€9.94
-13.77%
🧸 Childcare & Education
L'Hospitalet de Llobregat
Madrid
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$606€522
$676€582
-10.35%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$11.8K€10.2K
$12.1K€10.4K
-2.65%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
L'Hospitalet de Llobregat
Madrid
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$88.1€75.8
$94.2€81.1
-6.53%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$37.81€32.53
$42.77€36.79
-11.60%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$98.8€85.0
$106€90.9
-6.52%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$118€101
$134€116
-12.60%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
L'Hospitalet de Llobregat
Madrid
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,287€1,107
$1,566€1,347
-17.78%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$955€821
$1,149€988
-16.87%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,685€1,449
$2,826€2,431
-40.38%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,230€1,058
$1,884€1,621
-34.72%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,067€3,499
$9,077€7,808
-55.19%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,513€2,162
$4,511€3,880
-44.28%
💵 Salaries & Financials
L'Hospitalet de Llobregat
Madrid
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,868€1,607
$2,626€2,259
-28.86%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.39
3.43
-1.17%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for L'Hospitalet de Llobregat: May 30, 2026
Last update for Madrid: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,287 in L'Hospitalet de Llobregat and $1,566 in Madrid. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Madrid pays 41% 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: $58.0 in L'Hospitalet de Llobregat vs $69.0 in Madrid for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $256 vs $294 per month, with L'Hospitalet de Llobregat 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
L'Hospitalet de Llobregat vs Madrid: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Madrid cheaper than L'Hospitalet de Llobregat?
L'Hospitalet de Llobregat is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Clothing & Footwear, Sport & Entertainment, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 17% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: L'Hospitalet de Llobregat or Madrid?
On paper, Madrid earns 41% less. 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 L'Hospitalet de Llobregat and Madrid?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,287 in L'Hospitalet de Llobregat versus $1,566 in Madrid. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Is eating out cheaper in L'Hospitalet de Llobregat or Madrid?
Dining out is cheaper in L'Hospitalet de Llobregat – a meal for two runs $58.0 versus $69.0 in Madrid. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
What are total monthly expenses in L'Hospitalet de Llobregat vs Madrid?
All in, you'll spend $1,920 per month in L'Hospitalet de Llobregat versus $2,253 in Madrid – a 17% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $2,500 a realistic budget for L'Hospitalet de Llobregat or Madrid?
At $1,920 in L'Hospitalet de Llobregat versus $2,253 in Madrid, a $2,500 budget is realistic in L'Hospitalet de Llobregat but tight or insufficient in Madrid. The gap between the two cities makes L'Hospitalet de Llobregat the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is L'Hospitalet de Llobregat or Madrid more family-friendly?
For families, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat 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, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat or Madrid?
Safety-wise, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat 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 L'Hospitalet de Llobregat gentler on the wallet – expenses run 17% less than in Madrid. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
L'Hospitalet de Llobregat vs other spots: cost of living compared