Living in Madrid, Spain
Madrid is one of the Spain destinations covered by GoWira's fiscal and lifestyle database, refreshed quarterly. A one-bedroom apartment in the Madrid city center rents for around €1,400/month, while the same layout in the suburbs averages €950/month — a typical center-vs-suburbs gap for a city this size. Everyday expenses run about €280 for groceries (single person) and €54 for a monthly public transport pass. On our cost-of-living index (100 = highest benchmark city), Madrid scores 68, which makes it in the upper-mid cost range.
If you're planning a move, a realistic first-year budget in Madrid starts at roughly €1,734/month for a single person in a central studio, before taxes, insurance or discretionary spending. Dining tends to cost €22 for a mid-range meal and €2 for a coffee at a local café, with a beer at a bar around €4. Owning a car adds approximately €380/month between fuel, parking and insurance — many residents in Madrid skip this in favour of public transport or the €54/month pass mentioned above.
Healthcare, schools and essentials
Spain offers a public healthcare system that residents access through social security contributions. Private health insurance for a single expat in Madrid costs around €60/month, with a family plan at €180. An out-of-pocket private GP visit runs about €50, while specialists charge around €90. Families should budget €1,200/month for international schooling, or €650/month for a local private school.
Who does Madrid suit best?
Madrid works especially well for mid-career remote workers who want a Western European base without London or Paris prices, digital nomads — a hot desk here costs around €200, families with school-age children who need international education below the €18k/year mark.
All figures are medians (p50), reviewed quarterly. Hit the calculator below for a number tailored to your salary and residency situation.