Lisbon vs Madrid — Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Which city is cheaper, safer, and better for remote workers? Here's the data.
Lisbon
Portugal
COL Index
56
mid-priced
Madrid
Spain
COL Index
55
mid-priced
NoodlePants Verdict — generated from live data
Madrid edges out Lisbon on affordability with a NoodlePants COL Index of 55.2 vs 56.4 (mid-priced vs mid-priced). Lisbon scores higher on safety (75/100), and Madrid wins on internet at ~240 Mbps. Overall, Lisbon takes the Nomad Score crown with 82/100 — best for remote worker and eu base.
Metric
Lisbon
Madrid
Avg Rent 1BR (city centre)
$1,450
$1,380
Avg Rent 1BR (outside centre)
$1,050
$980
NoodlePants COL Index
56
55
Safety Score
75/100
72/100
Internet Speed
230 Mbps
240 Mbps
Nomad Score
82/100
78/100
Healthcare Score
79/100
82/100
Digital Nomad Visa
✓ Available
✓ Available
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