😐A single person spends $2,322 per month in Madrid vs $2,232 in Idaho Falls, ID, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $3,389 per month in Madrid vs $3,065 in Idaho Falls, ID, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $4,456 per month in Madrid vs $3,898 in Idaho Falls, ID, rent included.
😐Madrid costs about 4% more than Idaho Falls, ID, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both Madrid and Idaho Falls, ID sit above the global median – Madrid by 68%, Idaho Falls, ID by 62%.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Madrid
Idaho Falls, ID
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$18.73€16.15
$17.96$17.96
4.29%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$70.1€60.5
$49.57$49.57
41.48%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.90€10.26
$10.05$10.05
18.41%
Cappuccino
$3.21€2.76
$5.08$5.08
-36.81%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.37€2.91
$2.22$2.22
51.80%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.25€1.94
$1.60$1.60
40.62%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$4.16€3.59
$4.38$4.38
-5.02%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.33€4.60
$6.95$6.95
-23.31%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Madrid
Idaho Falls, ID
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.42€1.22
$0.72$0.72
97.22%
White Bread(500g)
$1.62€1.40
$3.77$3.77
-57.03%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.83€1.58
$3.02$3.02
-39.40%
Eggs
$4.28€3.69
$4.20$4.20
1.90%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$17.06€14.71
$12.04$12.04
41.69%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$9.63€8.30
$6.47$6.47
48.84%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$18.52€15.96
$10.20$10.20
81.57%
Apples(1kg)
$2.63€2.27
$2.19$2.19
20.09%
Banana(1kg)
$2.29€1.98
$1.19$1.19
92.44%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.59€2.24
$2.06$2.06
25.73%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.63€2.27
$2.11$2.11
24.64%
Potato(1kg)
$2.23€1.92
$1.63$1.63
36.81%
Onion(1kg)
$2.28€1.97
$2.54$2.54
-10.24%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.58€1.36
$1.95$1.95
-18.97%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.08€0.93
$1.86$1.86
-41.94%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.91€5.96
$10.31$10.31
-32.98%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.13€7.00
$7.65$7.65
6.27%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.22€1.05
$1.75$1.75
-30.29%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.25€1.94
$1.52$1.52
48.03%
🚌 Getting Around
Madrid
Idaho Falls, ID
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.76€1.52
$2.97$2.97
-40.74%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$38.04€32.79
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.82€3.29
$2.49$2.49
53.41%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.53€1.32
$2.24$2.24
-31.70%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$31.08€26.79
$24.61$24.61
26.29%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.84€1.59
$1.00$1.00
84.00%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$36.1K€31.1K
$35.9K$35.9K
0.48%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$34.2K€29.5K
$25.3K$25.3K
35.35%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Madrid
Idaho Falls, ID
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$191€165
$165$165
15.64%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$19.07€16.43
$46.50$46.50
-58.99%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$35.93€30.97
$49.22$49.22
-27.00%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Madrid
Idaho Falls, ID
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$50.5€43.50
$38.08$38.08
32.54%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.37€16.69
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$11.50€9.92
$11.28$11.28
1.95%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Madrid
Idaho Falls, ID
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$719€620
$967$967
-25.70%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$18.4K€15.8K
$20.5K$20.5K
-10.41%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Madrid
Idaho Falls, ID
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$89.7€77.3
$41.51$41.51
116.14%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$45.13€38.90
$44.61$44.61
1.17%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$110€94.5
$70.4$70.4
55.77%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$114€98.4
$93.4$93.4
22.21%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Madrid
Idaho Falls, ID
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,577€1,360
$1,117$1,117
41.27%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,202€1,036
$1,183$1,183
1.60%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,842€2,450
$1,922$1,922
47.87%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,883€1,623
$1,656$1,656
13.75%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$9,245€7,970
$1,850$1,850
399.68%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,215€3,633
$1,849$1,849
127.95%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Madrid
Idaho Falls, ID
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$2,498€2,154
$3,458$3,458
-27.76%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.09
6.04
-48.84%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Madrid: September 7, 2026
Last update for Idaho Falls, ID: September 8, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $1,577 in Madrid versus $1,117 in Idaho Falls, ID. 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 38% higher in Idaho Falls, ID, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $70.0 in Madrid versus $50.0 in Idaho Falls, ID. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $318 vs $277 – making Idaho Falls, ID 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 Idaho Falls, ID: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Idaho Falls, ID cheaper than Madrid?
Yes – Madrid is pricier by about 4%, and the gap shows up most in Clothing & Footwear. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,483 per month in Madrid and $3,348 in Idaho Falls, ID. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Idaho Falls, ID, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
What are total monthly expenses in Madrid and in Idaho Falls, ID?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $2,322 in Madrid and $2,232 in Idaho Falls, ID. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Kindergarten costs $719 per month in Madrid and $967 in Idaho Falls, ID. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Is $2,500 a realistic budget for living in Madrid or in Idaho Falls, ID?
A $2,500 monthly budget goes further in Idaho Falls, ID, where all-in costs run around $2,232, than in Madrid at $2,322. In Idaho Falls, ID it covers expenses comfortably, while in Madrid it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Madrid or Idaho Falls, ID more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Idaho Falls, ID – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Madrid or Idaho Falls, ID?
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.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Idaho Falls, ID. 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.