Cost of Living & Salary Comparison 2026
Yes, Madrid is 24% cheaper than Brussels based on our cost of living index. Madrid has a COLI of 38.0, while Brussels has a COLI of 50.3. 24% cheaper
Overall, Madrid is approximately 24% cheaper than Brussels based on our cost of living index. Brussels has a COLI of 50.3 (ranked #56 of 182 cities), while Madrid has a COLI of 38.0 (ranked #69).
When it comes to housing, one-bedroom apartment rent in Brussels averages $1,100/month compared to $1,100/month in Madrid. That makes Madrid approximately 0% cheaper for rent alone.
Brussels has lower total deductions (27.7%) compared to Madrid (28.8%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in Brussels. When evaluating a relocation, remember that total deductions directly impact your take-home pay and should be weighed alongside cost of living differences.
Full breakdown of mandatory payroll deductions for a mid-range salary as a local employee in each city.
Rates shown for local employees. Expat deductions may differ — use the main converter for personalized calculations.
If you earn €63,592 in Brussels, you would need approximately €48,042 in Madrid to maintain the same purchasing power. That is 24% less thanks to lower cost of living.
Estimated mid-level annual salaries in local currency, adjusted for each city's cost of living:
| Job Title | Brussels (EUR) | Madrid (EUR) |
|---|---|---|
| Doctor (General) | €76,768 | €57,996 |
| Software Engineer | €36,252 | €27,387 |
| Product Manager | €42,649 | €32,220 |
| Lawyer | €42,649 | €32,220 |
| Data Scientist | €40,516 | €30,609 |
| Marketing Manager | €30,707 | €23,198 |
| Teacher | €20,471 | €15,466 |
| Nurse | €24,736 | €18,688 |
Salary estimates are adjusted by each city's COLI relative to the New York baseline. Actual salaries vary by company, experience, and industry.
| Neighborhood | Multiplier |
|---|---|
| Sablon | 1.28x (+28%) |
| Uccle | 1.22x (+22%) |
| Avenue Louise | 1.20x (+20%) |
| Ixelles | 1.18x (+18%) |
| EU Quarter | 1.15x (+15%) |
| Neighborhood | Multiplier |
|---|---|
| Salamanca | 1.30x (+30%) |
| Chamberí | 1.18x (+18%) |
| Retiro | 1.15x (+15%) |
| Barrio de las Letras | 1.15x (+15%) |
| Chueca | 1.12x (+12%) |
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Open Salary ConverterBrussels is more expensive overall. Brussels has a COLI of 50.3 while Madrid has a COLI of 38.0, making Madrid approximately 24% cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living as €63,592 in Brussels, you would need approximately €48,042 in Madrid.
Average one-bedroom rent in Brussels is $1,100/month compared to $1,100/month in Madrid. Madrid has lower rent by approximately 0%.
Brussels has lower total deductions (27.7%) compared to Madrid (28.8%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in Brussels.
Cost of living indices (COLI) are benchmarked to New York City = 100 and derived from Numbeo and Expatistan crowd-sourced price surveys, cross-referenced with national statistics agencies. Rent data from Numbeo Property Prices.
Salary ranges are compiled from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OES), Glassdoor, and PayScale. Tax rates are approximate effective rates for mid-range earners based on OECD Taxing Wages and national tax authorities. Exchange rates from the European Central Bank. Neighborhood multipliers are estimated from local rental indices and property data.
Last updated: 2026-02-28. Data is refreshed periodically. All figures are estimates for informational purposes only.