City Comparison · Updated May 2026
Spain
COL index 53.4
Spain
COL index 54.9
Bilbao vs Madrid — Cost of Living, Salary & Tax Compared (2026)
The verdict
Living in Bilbao is 2.7% cheaper than Madrid for the same lifestyle.
Based on Q1 2026 COL index and median single-person expenditure.
Side-by-side stats
| Bilbao | Metric | Madrid | Δ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 53.4 | Cost of living index | 54.9 | +2.8% |
| €50,000 | Median gross salary | €50,000 | 0.0% |
| €33,783 | Net at €50,000 gross | €33,783 | 0.0% |
| €1,240 | Rent — 1BR centre | €1,380 | +11.3% |
| €1,786 | Monthly COL (single) | €1,953 | +9.4% |
| €63,263 | PPP — net / COL | €61,535 | -2.7% |
| 32.4% | Effective tax @ €50,000 | 32.4% | 0.0% |
Monthly expenses — paired
Salary equivalence
€50,000 gross in Spain = €2,413 net monthly.
To have the same purchasing power in Madrid, you would need roughly €51,610 gross in Spain (≈ €2,894 net monthly, adjusted for cost-of-living index).
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Pros & cons
- +Lower rent (€1,240 vs €1,380)
- −High rent-to-income ratio (51.4%)
- +14-month salary structure
- −High rent-to-income ratio (57.2%)
- +14-month salary structure
The verdict
Across the data, Bilbao carries a lower cost-of-living index; Bilbao wins on purchasing power after costs are netted out. If purchasing power is your north star, Bilbao edges it.
Frequently asked
Is Bilbao cheaper than Madrid?+
Bilbao is cheaper. Cost-of-living index: Bilbao 53.4, Madrid 54.9 — a 2.7% difference (Q1 2026).
What is the cost of living difference between Bilbao and Madrid?+
Bilbao sits at 53.4 on our COL index, Madrid at 54.9. That works out to roughly 2.7% — Bilbao being the cheaper of the two.
Is Bilbao a good place to live compared to Madrid?+
It depends on priorities. Bilbao delivers €33,783 net on a €50,000 gross salary at a 32.4% effective tax rate. Madrid delivers €33,783 at 32.4%. Centre 1-bed rent: €1,240 vs €1,380.
How do salaries compare in Bilbao vs Madrid?+
On a €50,000 gross salary, take-home is €33,783/year (€2,413/month) in Bilbao and €33,783/year (€2,413/month) in Madrid.
Which city has lower taxes, Bilbao or Madrid?+
Spain has the lower effective rate at €50,000: Spain 32.4%, Spain 32.4%.
More Bilbao comparisons
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