😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,253 in Madrid versus $1,602 in Vilanova i la Geltru.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,329 in Madrid versus $2,294 in Vilanova i la Geltru.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,404 in Madrid versus $2,986 in Vilanova i la Geltru.
😐Living in Madrid is roughly 41% more expensive than Vilanova i la Geltru, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Madrid68% above, Vilanova i la Geltru20% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Madrid
Vilanova i la Geltru
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.05€14.66
$14.87€12.79
14.66%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$68.6€59.0
$58.9€50.7
16.32%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.73€10.09
$9.11€7.84
28.76%
Cappuccino
$3.06€2.63
$1.84€1.58
66.30%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.21€2.76
$2.40€2.07
33.75%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.18€1.87
$2.03€1.74
7.39%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.94€3.39
$3.55€3.05
10.99%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.67€4.02
$3.39€2.92
37.76%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Madrid
Vilanova i la Geltru
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.20€1.03
$1.17€1.00
2.56%
White Bread(500g)
$1.68€1.45
$1.35€1.16
24.44%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.69€1.45
$1.72€1.48
-1.74%
Eggs
$3.34€2.88
$2.05€1.76
62.93%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$14.91€12.83
$11.28€9.70
32.18%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.93€7.68
$6.63€5.70
34.69%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$16.84€14.49
$14.03€12.06
20.03%
Apples(1kg)
$2.73€2.34
$2.69€2.31
1.49%
Banana(1kg)
$2.11€1.82
$1.85€1.59
14.05%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.54€2.19
$2.09€1.80
21.53%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.65€2.28
$2.46€2.11
7.72%
Potato(1kg)
$2.15€1.85
$1.20€1.03
79.17%
Onion(1kg)
$2.10€1.81
$1.90€1.64
10.53%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.35€1.17
$1.58€1.36
-14.56%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.97€0.84
$0.75€0.65
29.33%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.82€5.87
$6.77€5.82
0.74%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.15€7.01
$5.77€4.96
41.25%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.39€1.20
$1.55€1.33
-10.32%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.19€1.88
$2.07€1.78
5.80%
🚌 Getting Around
Madrid
Vilanova i la Geltru
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.77€1.52
$1.64€1.41
7.93%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$49.07€42.21
$34.76€29.90
41.17%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.01€3.45
$3.54€3.04
13.28%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.33€1.14
$1.26€1.08
5.56%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$29.19€25.11
$25.15€21.63
16.06%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.93€1.66
$1.76€1.52
9.66%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$37.2K€32.0K
$35.1K€30.2K
5.95%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$34.4K€29.6K
$32.4K€27.8K
6.16%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Madrid
Vilanova i la Geltru
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$195€167
$145€124
34.67%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$21.66€18.64
$13.56€11.66
59.73%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$35.51€30.54
$30.74€26.45
15.52%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Madrid
Vilanova i la Geltru
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$53.8€46.26
$48.20€41.46
11.58%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.95€15.44
$14.96€12.87
19.99%
Cinema Ticket
$11.55€9.94
$9.61€8.27
20.19%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Madrid
Vilanova i la Geltru
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$676€582
$466€401
45.05%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$12.1K€10.4K
$11.5K€9,931
5.07%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Madrid
Vilanova i la Geltru
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$94.2€81.1
$93.1€80.1
1.26%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.77€36.79
$34.31€29.51
24.66%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$106€90.9
$101€86.8
4.70%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$134€116
$129€111
4.52%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Madrid
Vilanova i la Geltru
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,566€1,347
$858€738
82.51%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,149€988
$708€609
62.17%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,826€2,431
$1,352€1,163
108.96%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,884€1,621
$918€789
105.33%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$9,077€7,808
$3,330€2,864
172.59%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,511€3,880
$2,050€1,764
120.04%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Madrid
Vilanova i la Geltru
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$2,626€2,259
$2,157€1,856
21.73%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.43
3.44
-0.29%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Madrid: May 31, 2026
Last update for Vilanova i la Geltru: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,566 in Madrid and $858 in Vilanova i la Geltru. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Madrid pays 22% 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: $69.0 in Madrid vs $59.0 in Vilanova i la Geltru for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $294 vs $241 per month, with Vilanova i la Geltru 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
Madrid vs Vilanova i la Geltru: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Madrid or Vilanova i la Geltru?
Vilanova i la Geltru wins on cost – living expenses run 41% lower than in Madrid. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Vilanova i la Geltru the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Madrid or Vilanova i la Geltru?
Madrid pays 22% more on average, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Madrid vs Vilanova i la Geltru?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,566 in Madrid versus $858 in Vilanova i la Geltru. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Are groceries more expensive in Madrid or Vilanova i la Geltru?
Supermarket bills run roughly 22% higher in Madrid. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
How do dining costs compare in Madrid vs Vilanova i la Geltru?
Dining out is cheaper in Vilanova i la Geltru – a meal for two runs $59.0 versus $69.0 in Madrid. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Can you live on $2,500/month in Madrid or Vilanova i la Geltru?
At $1,602 in Vilanova i la Geltru versus $2,253 in Madrid, a $2,500 budget is realistic in Vilanova i la Geltru but tight or insufficient in Madrid. The gap between the two cities makes Vilanova i la Geltru the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Madrid or Vilanova i la Geltru?
Both work as nomad bases, but Vilanova i la Geltru delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $1,602 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Vilanova i la Geltru hard to pass up.
How safe is Madrid compared to Vilanova i la Geltru?
Safety-wise, Madrid and Vilanova i la Geltru 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 more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Vilanova i la Geltru gentler on the wallet – expenses run 41% less than in Madrid. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.