The Verdict
Living in Edinburgh is 10% more expensive than Madrid.
If you move from Edinburgh to Madrid, you will pay less for housing and less for daily groceries. To maintain the same standard of life as a £40,000 salary in Edinburgh, you would need to earn about £34,872 in Madrid.
of 6 categories
categories
of 6 categories
Category Breakdown
Compare costs across 6 key categories
City Profiles
What makes each city unique
Why people love Edinburgh:
Why people love Madrid:
Real Monthly Costs
Estimated costs based on London baseline prices
| Expense | Edinburgh | Madrid | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-bed apartment (city centre) | £1,300 | £1,160 | £-140 |
| Monthly groceries | £336 | £252 | £-84 |
| Dining out (10 meals) | £213 | £163 | £-50 |
| Public transport pass | £141 | £120 | £-21 |
| Utilities (electric, heating, water) | £166 | £148 | £-18 |
| Total Monthly | £2,155 | £1,842 | £-313 |
* Estimates based on London = 100 index. Actual costs vary by lifestyle and location within city.
Who Should Choose Which City?
Recommendations based on your priorities
- Prioritize safety (score: 85/100)
- Want higher earning potential (£2,800/mo avg)
- Want lower overall living costs (10% cheaper)
- Are looking for more affordable housing
- Have children (lower childcare costs)
Quality of Life & Safety
Beyond just costs - what matters for daily life
Quality of Life Score
Quality of Life Score
Safety Score
Safety Score
Salary Equivalence
How much you'd need in Madrid to match a Edinburgh salary
| Salary in Edinburgh | Equivalent in Madrid | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| £30,000 | £26,154 | £3,846 less |
| £40,000 | £34,872 | £5,128 less |
| £50,000 | £43,590 | £6,410 less |
| £60,000 | £52,308 | £7,692 less |
| £80,000 | £69,744 | £10,256 less |
| £100,000 | £87,179 | £12,821 less |
Edinburgh vs Madrid: Summary
The overall cost of living differs by 10%. Madrid is the more affordable option.
Rent: Edinburgh has a rent index of 65, while Madrid has 58.
Average Salaries: Edinburgh: £2,800/month vs Madrid: £1,978/month (both in GBP).
Out of 6 categories, Edinburgh wins 0, while Madrid wins 6.
Compare more cities or calculate your UK take-home pay.