Germany is 28.0% pricier, but purchasing power is 40.7% stronger. You pay more but earn proportionally more.
Compared to Spain. Green = cheaper or better in Germany. All indices relative to NYC = 100.
Every Category, Side by Side
Averaged across 46 cities. All indices relative to NYC = 100.
| Category | 🇪🇸 Spain | 🇩🇪 Germany | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living | 55.7 | 71.3 | +28% |
| Rent | 25.5 | 23.4 | -8.2% |
| Groceries | 57.9 | 70.8 | +22.3% |
| Restaurants | 60.1 | 68.1 | +13.3% |
| Purchasing Power | 96.6 | 135.9 | +40.7% |
What You Actually Keep After Taxes
Same gross salary, different tax systems. Annual take-home pay in Madrid vs Berlin.
| Gross | 🇪🇸 Net in Spain | 🇩🇪 Net in Germany | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| €40,000 | €29,655 | €26,453 | -€3,202 |
| €60,000 | €41,436 | €36,938 | -€4,498 |
| €80,000 | €52,865 | €47,279 | -€5,586 |
| €100,000 | €63,865 | €57,580 | -€6,285 |
Single person, no children. Tax rates for Madrid and Berlin (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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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-to-City Comparisons
See exact take-home pay for specific cities between Spain and Germany.
FAQ
Related Country Comparisons
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