City comparison
Chicago vs Madrid
Chicago scores higher on salary; Madrid has a lower cost of living. Compare Chicago and Madrid on earnings, rent pressure, career opportunity, and 3-year financial impact.
Overall verdict
Chicago scores higher overall
Madrid is a step down on both savings and career opportunity
How they compare
If you want to save more
ChicagoOverall fitMadrid
62 / 44+18 Chicago
ChicagoSavingsMadrid
58 / 42+16 Chicago
ChicagoCareerMadrid
73 / 52+21 Chicago
ChicagoLow pressureMadrid
63 / 43+20 Chicago
If you want career growth
ChicagoOverall fitMadrid
68 / 48+20 Chicago
ChicagoSavingsMadrid
58 / 42+16 Chicago
ChicagoCareerMadrid
73 / 52+21 Chicago
ChicagoLow pressureMadrid
63 / 43+20 Chicago
If you want better balance
ChicagoOverall fitMadrid
66 / 57+9 Chicago
ChicagoSavingsMadrid
58 / 42+16 Chicago
ChicagoCareerMadrid
73 / 52+21 Chicago
ChicagoLow pressureMadrid
63 / 43+20 Chicago
Financial impact: moving from Chicago to Madrid
Based on a representative $80,000 USD salary. Not tax-adjusted.
-$1,944
Monthly
-$23,328
1 year
-$69,984
3 years
Moving from Chicago to Madrid: trade-offs
You gain
+Better quality of life — Madrid scores higher on lifestyle and liveability
You lose
−Weaker savings potential — Madrid is 16 points lower on savings capacity
−-$1,944/mo estimated net reduction — $23,328 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
Get a personalised verdict for your salary
The comparison above uses a representative salary. Enter yours for an accurate picture.
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Also see: Madrid vs Chicago →