Madrid vs Jeddah
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Jeddah is ~36% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Madrid
Spain
COL+Rent
42.5
Rent Index
27.1
Groceries
50.2
Restaurant
45.6
Jeddah
Saudi Arabia
COL+Rent
27
Rent Index
12.2
Groceries
39.1
Restaurant
32.3
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Madrid | Jeddah | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,203 | $455 | +$748 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $922 | $320 | +$602 |
| Groceries | $280 | $276 | +$4 |
| Restaurant Meal | $16 | $12 | +$4 |
| Transit Pass | $35 | $29 | +$6 |
| Utilities | $133 | $73 | +$60 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Madrid | Jeddah |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,350/mo | $663/mo |
| Typical | $1,891/mo | $1,013/mo |
| Comfortable | $2,367/mo | $1,316/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Madrid | ≈ in Jeddah | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $953/mo | -$547 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,271/mo | -$729 |
| $3,000/mo | $1,906/mo | -$1,094 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Madrid vs Jeddah for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Jeddah is approximately 36% more affordable than Madrid when combining rent and daily living costs. Madrid's COL+Rent Index of 42.5 vs Jeddah's 27 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a meaningful difference that adds up over months of living expenses.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Madrid costs $1,203/month versus $455/month in Jeddah — giving Jeddah a $748/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $8,976 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Madrid ($280/mo) vs Jeddah ($276/mo) reflect Jeddah's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $16 vs $12 show Jeddah offers cheaper dining. For digital nomads and remote workers who eat out frequently, this difference compounds quickly.
Bottom line: If you earn in a strong currency (USD, EUR, GBP) and work remotely, Jeddah offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $1,013 buys a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings. Use the purchasing power table above to see exactly how far your specific budget stretches in each city.