😐A single person spends $2,270 per month in Madrid vs $1,511 in Castello de la Plana, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $3,352 per month in Madrid vs $2,172 in Castello de la Plana, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $4,434 per month in Madrid vs $2,833 in Castello de la Plana, rent included.
😐Madrid costs about 50% more than Castello de la Plana, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both Madrid and Castello de la Plana sit above the global median – Madrid by 69%, Castello de la Plana by 12%.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Madrid
Castello de la Plana
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.07€14.71
$15.18€13.08
12.45%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$69.5€59.9
$57.1€49.22
21.63%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.92€10.27
$8.24€7.10
44.66%
Cappuccino
$3.09€2.66
$2.50€2.15
23.60%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.10€2.67
$2.25€1.93
37.78%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.11€1.82
$1.75€1.51
20.57%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$4.14€3.57
$2.83€2.44
46.29%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.60€3.96
$3.54€3.05
29.94%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Madrid
Castello de la Plana
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.19€1.02
$1.13€0.97
5.31%
White Bread(500g)
$1.70€1.46
$2.09€1.80
-18.66%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.70€1.46
$1.92€1.66
-11.46%
Eggs
$3.48€3.00
$2.97€2.56
17.17%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$14.73€12.69
$14.84€12.79
-0.74%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$9.07€7.82
$8.30€7.15
9.28%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$16.75€14.44
$15.71€13.53
6.62%
Apples(1kg)
$2.61€2.25
$2.54€2.19
2.76%
Banana(1kg)
$2.22€1.91
$1.74€1.50
27.59%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.51€2.16
$1.71€1.47
46.78%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.75€2.37
$2.58€2.22
6.59%
Potato(1kg)
$2.14€1.84
$1.82€1.57
17.58%
Onion(1kg)
$2.13€1.84
$1.83€1.58
16.39%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.39€1.19
$1.50€1.30
-7.33%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.97€0.84
$0.59€0.51
64.41%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.79€5.85
$6.92€5.96
-1.88%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.02€6.91
$5.20€4.48
54.23%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.44€1.24
$1.10€0.94
30.91%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.25€1.94
$2.33€2.01
-3.43%
🚌 Getting Around
Madrid
Castello de la Plana
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.76€1.52
$1.42€1.22
23.94%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$49.48€42.63
$17.38€14.98
184.70%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.11€3.55
$4.45€3.83
-7.64%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.39€1.20
$1.03€0.89
34.95%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$29.01€25.00
$15.03€12.95
93.01%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.87€1.61
$1.74€1.50
7.47%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$37.6K€32.4K
$38.1K€32.8K
-1.18%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$34.1K€29.3K
$32.0K€27.6K
6.29%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Madrid
Castello de la Plana
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$195€168
$137€118
41.80%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$21.25€18.31
$19.92€17.16
6.68%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$35.75€30.80
$27.88€24.02
28.23%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Madrid
Castello de la Plana
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$52.8€45.47
$45.47€39.18
16.08%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.91€15.44
$15.31€13.19
16.98%
Cinema Ticket
$11.72€10.09
$8.03€6.92
45.95%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Madrid
Castello de la Plana
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$680€586
$578€498
17.75%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$12.3K€10.6K
$8,211€7,075
49.36%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Madrid
Castello de la Plana
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$95.8€82.6
$64.7€55.8
48.06%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.50€36.62
$21.72€18.71
95.67%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$106€91.4
$102€87.8
4.16%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$137€118
$117€101
16.33%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Madrid
Castello de la Plana
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,609€1,386
$743€640
116.38%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,138€980
$613€528
85.54%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,792€2,405
$988€852
182.43%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,915€1,650
$774€667
147.39%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$8,893€7,662
$1,892€1,630
369.96%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,347€3,745
$1,438€1,239
202.22%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Madrid
Castello de la Plana
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$2,584€2,226
$1,824€1,572
41.67%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.43
3.2
7.19%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Madrid: June 6, 2026
Last update for Castello de la Plana: June 8, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $1,609 in Madrid versus $743 in Castello de la Plana. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
💰Salaries run about 42% higher in Madrid, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $69.0 in Madrid versus $57.0 in Castello de la Plana. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $295 vs $271 – making Castello de la Plana the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
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 Castello de la Plana: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Madrid and Castello de la Plana compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $2,270 in Madrid, $1,511 in Castello de la Plana – roughly 50% apart. Madrid costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Madrid compared to Castello de la Plana?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,406 per month in Madrid and $2,267 in Castello de la Plana. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Madrid and Castello de la Plana?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Castello de la Plana, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do commuting costs compare in Madrid and Castello de la Plana?
Public transport costs about 185% less in Castello de la Plana. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Madrid and Castello de la Plana?
Kindergarten costs $680 per month in Madrid and $578 in Castello de la Plana. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Castello de la Plana, where all-in costs run around $1,511, than in Madrid at $2,270. In Castello de la Plana it covers expenses comfortably, while in Madrid it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Madrid and Castello de la Plana?
It depends on your priorities. Madrid has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,511 in Castello de la Plana to $2,270 in Madrid. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Madrid or Castello de la Plana safer for residents?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
How do I decide between Madrid and Castello de la Plana?
If budget matters most, go with Castello de la Plana. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Madrid makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.