Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Madrid and Astoria, NY

For one person, living is cheaper in Madrid: $2,265 a month against $3,298 in Astoria, NY, rent and utilities included – about $12,400 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Madrid
🇪🇸 Spain
$2,265
/mo nomad
Astoria, NY
🇺🇸 United States
$3,298
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Madrid and in Astoria, NY

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Madrid and in Astoria, NY actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,265 in Madrid versus $3,298 in Astoria, NY.

  • Madrid $2,265
  • Astoria, NY $3,298

Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,296 in Madrid versus $4,650 in Astoria, NY.

  • Madrid $3,296
  • Astoria, NY $4,650

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,328 in Madrid versus $6,002 in Astoria, NY.

  • Madrid $4,328
  • Astoria, NY $6,002

Living in Madrid costs roughly 31% less than in Astoria, NY, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in transport.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Madrid 68% above, Astoria, NY 144% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Madrid
Astoria, NY
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$18.20 €16.19
$19.30 $19.30
-5.70%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$68.1 €60.5
$80.7 $80.7
-15.67%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.24 €9.99
$10.12 $10.12
11.07%
Cappuccino
$3.15 €2.80
$4.56 $4.56
-30.92%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.36 €2.99
$1.69 $1.69
98.82%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.36 €2.10
$1.88 $1.88
25.53%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.83 €3.40
$5.09 $5.09
-24.75%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.92 €4.38
$8.03 $8.03
-38.73%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Madrid
Astoria, NY
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.32 €1.17
$1.13 $1.13
16.81%
White Bread (500g)
$1.61 €1.43
$3.82 $3.82
-57.85%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.65 €1.47
$3.67 $3.67
-55.04%
Eggs
$4.07 €3.62
$3.52 $3.52
15.63%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$15.82 €14.07
$16.75 $16.75
-5.55%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.49 €8.44
$9.07 $9.07
4.63%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$17.52 €15.59
$13.37 $13.37
31.04%
Apples (1kg)
$2.56 €2.27
$4.10 $4.10
-37.56%
Banana (1kg)
$2.09 €1.86
$1.88 $1.88
11.17%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.47 €2.19
$2.59 $2.59
-4.63%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.49 €2.22
$3.97 $3.97
-37.28%
Potato (1kg)
$2.26 €2.01
$2.47 $2.47
-8.50%
Onion (1kg)
$2.15 €1.91
$2.44 $2.44
-11.89%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.57 €1.40
$2.04 $2.04
-23.04%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.07 €0.95
$2.49 $2.49
-57.03%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$6.55 €5.82
$15.17 $15.17
-56.82%
Wine (Bottle)
$7.65 €6.81
$20.30 $20.30
-62.32%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.17 €1.04
$1.71 $1.71
-31.58%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.22 €1.97
$3.41 $3.41
-34.90%
🚌 Getting Around
Madrid
Astoria, NY
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.63 €1.45
$3.07 $3.07
-46.91%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$36.42 €32.39
$139 $139
-73.87%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.73 €3.32
$2.94 $2.94
26.87%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.54 €1.37
$2.13 $2.13
-27.70%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$29.17 €25.95
$41.52 $41.52
-29.74%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.78 €1.58
$0.93 $0.93
91.40%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.5K €31.6K
$35.2K $35.2K
0.94%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$33.2K €29.6K
$25.2K $25.2K
31.67%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Madrid
Astoria, NY
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$189 €168
$113 $113
66.76%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$17.48 €15.55
$57.4 $57.4
-69.56%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$34.32 €30.53
$50.7 $50.7
-32.27%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Madrid
Astoria, NY
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$48.62 €43.25
$45.62 $45.62
6.58%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.44 €16.40
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$11.04 €9.82
$20.18 $20.18
-45.29%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Madrid
Astoria, NY
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$693 €617
$2,578 $2,578
-73.10%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$17.8K €15.8K
$34.8K $34.8K
-48.91%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Madrid
Astoria, NY
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$84.6 €75.3
$25.10 $25.10
237.05%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.50 €37.80
$20.11 $20.11
111.34%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$110 €98.1
$29.80 $29.80
270.07%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$112 €99.9
$50.9 $50.9
120.40%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Madrid
Astoria, NY
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,506 €1,339
$2,347 $2,347
-35.85%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,170 €1,041
$2,091 $2,091
-44.06%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,756 €2,451
$3,812 $3,812
-27.71%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,845 €1,641
$3,225 $3,225
-42.80%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$9,168 €8,155
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$4,234 €3,766
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Madrid
Astoria, NY
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$2,483 €2,209
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
3.14
6.45
-51.32%

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

Last update for Madrid: October 11, 2026

Last update for Astoria, NY: October 10, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Madrid
$1.2K
Astoria, NY
$2.1K 78.8% $922
Groceries & Markets
Madrid
$303
Astoria, NY
$382 26.1% $79
Eating Out
Madrid
$269
Astoria, NY
$295 9.7% $26
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Madrid
$241
Astoria, NY
$221 8% $19
Clothing & Footwear
Madrid
$157
Astoria, NY
$57 64% $101
Sport & Entertainment
Madrid
$71
Astoria, NY
$86 21.6% $15
Getting Around
Madrid
$54
Astoria, NY
$165 204% $111

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,506 in Madrid and $2,347 in Astoria, NY. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Dining out: $68.0 in Madrid vs $81.0 in Astoria, NY for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $303 vs $382 per month, with Madrid cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇪🇸 Madrid
🇺🇸 Astoria, NY
🕒 Local time
14:39 2:39 PM
08:39 8:39 AM
6 h behind Madrid
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
3,332,035 Capital
150,165
💱 Currency
Euro EUR €
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD to EUR – Euro Converter

Euro exchange rates as of October 18, 2026: 1 USD = 0.889 EUR (1 EUR = 1.12 USD).

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 18, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Madrid Astoria, NY 5,760 km ≈ 8 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Madrid
  • Astoria, NY

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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
Madrid vs Astoria, NY: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Madrid and in Astoria, NY?
Madrid and Astoria, NY differ by about 46% in total monthly costs ($2,265 vs $3,298 including rent). Madrid is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
What salary covers living expenses in Madrid compared to Astoria, NY?
You'd need roughly $3,398 in Madrid and $4,947 in Astoria, NY 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.
How do apartment prices compare in Madrid and in Astoria, NY?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,506 in Madrid versus $2,347 in Astoria, NY. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city is more expensive overall: Madrid or Astoria, NY?
All in, you'll spend $2,265 per month in Madrid versus $3,298 in Astoria, NY – a 46% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Madrid and in Astoria, NY?
A monthly transit pass in Madrid runs roughly 283% less than in Astoria, NY. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $2,265 in Madrid versus $3,298 in Astoria, NY, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Madrid but tight or insufficient in Astoria, NY. The gap between the two cities makes Madrid the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Madrid and Astoria, NY?
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 Madrid or Astoria, NY safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Madrid and Astoria, NY 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: Madrid or Astoria, NY?
Expats usually find Madrid gentler on the wallet – expenses run 46% less than in Astoria, NY. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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