City comparison

Austin vs Madrid

Austin scores higher on salary; Madrid has a lower cost of living. Compare Austin and Madrid on earnings, rent pressure, career opportunity, and 3-year financial impact.

Overall verdict

Austin scores higher overall

Madrid is a step down on both savings and career opportunity

How they compare

If you want to save more

AustinOverall fitMadrid
72 / 44+28 Austin
AustinSavingsMadrid
71 / 42+29 Austin
AustinCareerMadrid
78 / 52+26 Austin
AustinLow pressureMadrid
67 / 43+24 Austin

If you want career growth

AustinOverall fitMadrid
74 / 48+26 Austin
AustinSavingsMadrid
71 / 42+29 Austin
AustinCareerMadrid
78 / 52+26 Austin
AustinLow pressureMadrid
67 / 43+24 Austin

If you want better balance

AustinOverall fitMadrid
72 / 57+15 Austin
AustinSavingsMadrid
71 / 42+29 Austin
AustinCareerMadrid
78 / 52+26 Austin
AustinLow pressureMadrid
67 / 43+24 Austin

Financial impact: moving from Austin to Madrid

Based on a representative $80,000 USD salary. Not tax-adjusted.

-$2,654
Monthly
-$31,848
1 year
-$95,544
3 years

Moving from Austin to Madrid: trade-offs

You gain

+Better quality of life — Madrid scores higher on lifestyle and liveability

You lose

Weaker savings potential — Madrid is 29 points lower on savings capacity
-$2,654/mo estimated net reduction — $31,848 over the first year
Smaller career market — fewer top-tier roles and lower salary ceiling than your current city
Higher cost pressure — rent will consume a larger share of your income

Austin

US
Salary index
82
Cost index
58
Rent pressure
33
Opportunity
76

Madrid

ES
Salary index
42
Cost index
50
Rent pressure
57
Opportunity
58

Get a personalised verdict for your salary

The comparison above uses a representative salary. Enter yours for an accurate picture.

Compare with my salary →