Vienna vs Madrid: Cost, Visas & Safety
Living in Vienna vs Madrid: Vienna runs about $1,990/mo all-in vs $2,005/mo in Madrid — Vienna is cheaper. See visas, safety, internet, and climate side…
Vienna and Madrid cost about the same to live in, Vienna scores higher for safety, and internet is comparable in both. Which one wins depends on your income, passport, and what you value most.
How they compare
- Cost of living: near-identical — $1,990/mo in Vienna vs $2,005/mo in Madrid all-in for one person.
- Rent: lower in Vienna ($1,100/mo vs $1,200/mo for a typical place).
- Safety: Vienna rates higher (94/100 for Vienna vs 84/100 for Madrid).
- Internet: both solid for remote work (82/100 vs 85/100).
- Climate: Madrid edges ahead (68/100 vs 80/100).
- Visa: both rated Moderate to enter — check long-stay and residency options for your passport.
- Retirement/long-stay: both have options — Vienna via the Austria Private Residence Permit, Madrid via the Spain Non-Lucrative Visa.
- Expat community: larger and more established in Madrid (80/100 vs 88/100).
- Families: Vienna rates safer for family life (100/100 vs 82/100 family safety).
- Local salaries: higher in Vienna (~$2,700/mo vs ~$1,900/mo average) — relevant if you'd work locally rather than remotely.
- Work-life balance: better rated in Vienna (88/100 vs 78/100).
- Sunshine: Madrid logs about 280 sunny days a year vs 200 in Vienna.
Frequently asked questions
Is Vienna or Madrid cheaper to live in?
Vienna costs about $1,990/month all-in for one person; Madrid costs about $2,005/month. They land within $15/mo of each other, so lifestyle and neighbourhood matter more than the city you pick.
How much cheaper is Vienna than Madrid?
Barely — the two cities are within $15/month of each other all-in, so the cheaper choice comes down to your neighbourhood and lifestyle, not the city.
Which is safer, Vienna or Madrid?
Vienna scores higher on Jonzy's safety index (94/100 for Vienna vs 84/100 for Madrid). Both are catalog averages — feelings of safety also vary by neighbourhood and time of day.
Which is better for remote work and digital nomads, Vienna or Madrid?
For connectivity, both are solid (82/100 vs 85/100). On climate, Madrid edges ahead (68/100 vs 80/100). Jonzy scores both against your income, passport, and priorities so you see which fits your setup.
Which is easier to get a visa for, Vienna or Madrid?
Vienna's visa process is rated Moderate (about 8 weeks); Madrid's is rated Moderate (about 8 weeks). Your passport changes the answer — run a visa check for both in Jonzy.
Can I compare Vienna and Madrid for my situation?
Yes, open Jonzy, enter your income and passport, and get personalised Life Upgrade Scores for both cities. You can also share a side-by-side comparison link with a partner.