Madrid vs Melilla Cost of Living Comparison
Executive summary: Melilla leads on CPI (37.6 vs 56.5, NYC=100), Melilla leads on rent index, and Madrid leads on purchasing power. Validate neighbourhood rents before relocating — city-wide winners can reverse at district scale.
Overall Cost Winner
Melilla
Lower overall CPI; largest measurable gaps: Housing (66% gap, Melilla ahead); Utilities (66% gap, Melilla ahead).
Monthly Cost Difference
Estimated monthly housing+utilities+internet basket is about $731 lower in Melilla than in Madrid (~64% gap; converted via exchange rates).
Estimated monthly difference: $731 (favoring Melilla).
Category Winners
| Category | Winner | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Overall CPI | Melilla | CPI 37.6 vs 56.5 (lower is better) |
| Housing | Melilla | Rent index 10.1 vs 29.5 (lower is better) |
| Food | Melilla | Groceries index 38.9 vs 54 (lower is better) |
| Transport | Melilla | One-way ticket 0.71 vs 1.21 (lower is better) |
| Utilities | Melilla | Utilities (85m²) 18.58 vs 54.28 (lower is better) |
| Internet | Melilla | Internet 38.32 vs 50.1 (lower is better) |
| Restaurants | Melilla | Restaurant index 31.2 vs 52 (lower is better) |
| Salary | Madrid | Avg net salary 4791.36 vs 2367.16 (higher is better) |
| Purchasing Power | Madrid | PP index 84 vs 41.5 (higher is better) |
Biggest Difference
Housing: Melilla leads with a 66% gap.
Rent index 10.1 vs 29.5 (lower is better)
Quick Decision
- Students: Melilla — Lower housing / rent index (66% gap).
- Families: Melilla — Housing is typically the largest household line; rent index favors Melilla; purchasing power favors Madrid.
- Remote Workers: Melilla — Everyday cost index (CPI) favors Melilla (~33% gap).
- Budget Living: Melilla — Lowest overall consumer-price index in this pair.
Key Takeaways
- Melilla is the overall cost winner on CPI (~33% lower everyday-cost index than Madrid).
- Housing: Melilla leads on rent index (66% gap).
- Food / groceries: Melilla is lower (28% gap).
- Purchasing power: Madrid scores higher (51% gap).
- Sample monthly basket (1BR + utilities + internet) is ~$731 cheaper in Melilla.
Analysis
Detailed breakdown uses only paired indices: CPI 56.5/37.6, rent 29.5/10.1, purchasing power 84/41.5. Category winners can diverge — a city may win rent while losing CPI. No GDP, climate, or industry claims are invented for either city.
Trust & data transparency
Last updated: 2026-08-24
Data Sources
This page uses CityCost index inputs. Platform sources (see also Data sources):
- Regional
- Regional
On-page labels for this view: Regional · Regional.
Methodology
Each indexed city is associated with a reference basket of common living costs (for example rent, groceries samples, transport tickets, utilities, restaurant meals, and net salary where available). From those items, the platform derives relative indices such as CPI, rent, groceries, restaurants, and local purchasing power, using New York City = 100 as the familiar baseline convention for relative comparison.