Spain is 21.9% cheaper — but purchasing power is 28.9% weaker. Lower prices help, but you'll likely take home less overall.
Compared to Germany. Green = cheaper or better in Spain. All indices relative to NYC = 100.
Every Category, Side by Side
Averaged across 46 cities. All indices relative to NYC = 100.
| Category | 🇩🇪 Germany | 🇪🇸 Spain | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living | 71.3 | 55.7 | -21.9% |
| Rent | 23.4 | 25.5 | +9% |
| Groceries | 70.8 | 57.9 | -18.2% |
| Restaurants | 68.1 | 60.1 | -11.7% |
| Purchasing Power | 135.9 | 96.6 | -28.9% |
What You Actually Keep After Taxes
Same gross salary, different tax systems. Annual take-home pay in Berlin vs Madrid.
| Gross | 🇩🇪 Net in Germany | 🇪🇸 Net in Spain | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| €40,000 | €26,453 | €29,655 | +€3,202 |
| €60,000 | €36,938 | €41,436 | +€4,498 |
| €80,000 | €47,279 | €52,865 | +€5,586 |
| €100,000 | €57,580 | €63,865 | +€6,285 |
Single person, no children. Tax rates for Berlin and Madrid (2026). Try the full calculator
Tax Calculators
Enter your exact numbers and see your real take-home pay in both countries.
Calculate Your Take-Home PayTop Cities in Each Country
National averages hide a lot. These are the cities most people actually move to.
| City | CoL | Rent | PP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Berlin | 73.9 | 34.5 | 116.6 |
| Munich | 80.7 | 40.8 | 132 |
| Frankfurt | 74.1 | 34.7 | 146.2 |
| Hamburg | 73 | 30.5 | 132.7 |
| Karlsruhe | 75.5 | 24.4 | 123.9 |
| City | CoL | Rent | PP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madrid | 60.4 | 34.9 | 100.7 |
| Barcelona | 61.5 | 35.4 | 95.3 |
| Valencia | 53.6 | 31 | 85 |
| Seville | 50 | 20 | 97.2 |
| Valladolid | 62.4 | 14.9 | 111.2 |
City-to-City Comparisons
See exact take-home pay for specific cities between Germany and Spain.
FAQ
Related Country Comparisons
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