Is Almaty or Madrid cheaper to live in?

Almaty is 40% cheaper than Madrid. The average monthly cost in Almaty is $1,186, while Madrid costs $1,971 per month.

Which city is better for digital nomads: Almaty or Madrid?

For digital nomads, Madrid offers faster internet at 300 Mbps. Almaty is more budget-friendly with lower living costs. Both cities have their strengths - Almaty has a NomadIQ score of 7/10 while Madrid scores 6.9/10.

What is the rent difference between Almaty and Madrid?

A 1-bedroom apartment costs $747/month in Almaty and $1,472/month in Madrid. Almaty has 49% lower rent.

Is Almaty or Madrid safer?

Madrid has a higher safety score of 7.1/10. Almaty scores 4.7/10 for safety while Madrid scores 7.1/10.

Should I move to Almaty or Madrid as an expat?

The choice depends on your priorities. Choose Almaty if budget is important ($1,186/month). Choose Madrid for better safety. Madrid is better for remote work with 300 Mbps internet.

Back to Comparison Tool

Almaty vs Madrid

Cost of Living, Safety & Expat Guide (2026)

Almaty

Kazakhstan

$1,186/mo7/10

Madrid

Spain

$1,971/mo6.9/10

Almaty

Kazakhstan

$1,186/moNomadIQ 7/10

Madrid

Spain

$1,971/moNomadIQ 6.9/10

Detailed Comparison

Factor

Almaty

Madrid

Winner

Total Monthly Cost

$1,186

$1,971

Almaty

Rent (1BR)

$747

$1,472

Almaty

Groceries

$300

Tie

Transport

$35

$55

Almaty

Healthcare

$90

$110

Almaty

Safety Score

4.7/10

7.1/10

Madrid

Internet Speed

140 Mbps

300 Mbps

Madrid

NomadIQ Score

7/10

6.9/10

Almaty

Overall Winner: Almaty

Based on our comparison, Almaty wins 5 out of 8 categories.Madrid wins 2 categories.

Which city is better for digital nomads?

For digital nomads choosing between Almaty and Madrid, the answer depends on your priorities. Here's our analysis:

Best for Budget

Almaty

$1,186/mo

Best Internet

Madrid

300 Mbps

Best NomadIQ Score

Almaty

7/10

Our Recommendation: Almaty is the clear winner for digital nomads, offering both affordability and excellent nomad infrastructure.

Digital Nomad Analysis: Almaty vs Madrid

When comparing Almaty and Madrid for digital nomads, several factors come into play.

Cost of Living: Almaty offers a more affordable lifestyle at $1,186/month compared to Madrid's $1,971/month.

Internet & Remote Work: Madrid provides faster connectivity at 300 Mbps compared to Almaty's 140 Mbps.

Safety: With a safety score of 7.1/10, Madrid offers better security than Almaty (4.7/10).

Overall: Almaty earns a higher NomadIQ score of 7/10, making it slightly more suited for the digital nomad lifestyle.

Cost of Living Comparison

Almaty is 40% cheaper than Madrid.

• Almaty rent: $747/mo
• Madrid rent: $1,472/mo
• Difference: $725/mo

Safety Comparison

Madrid has a higher safety score (7.1/10) compared to Almaty (4.7/10).

4.7/10

Almaty

7.1/10

Madrid

Digital Nomad Friendliness

For remote workers, internet speed is crucial. Madrid offers faster internet at 300 Mbps vs 140 Mbps.

140 Mbps

Almaty

300 Mbps

Madrid

Which City Is Better for Expats?

Based on our analysis, Almaty edges out as the better choice for expats, winning 5 of 8 comparison factors.

Almaty: Best for budget-conscious expats

Madrid: Best for those prioritizing amenities

Almaty vs Madrid

Almaty

Madrid

Almaty

Madrid

Detailed Comparison

Overall Winner: Almaty

Which city is better for digital nomads?

Digital Nomad Analysis: Almaty vs Madrid

Cost of Living Comparison

Safety Comparison

Digital Nomad Friendliness

Which City Is Better for Expats?

More City Comparisons

Explore More

Frequently Asked Questions: Almaty vs Madrid