$40K in Scranton = $31,518 in Madrid
Your $40K salary in Scranton (COL 83) has the same purchasing power as $31,518 in Madrid (COL 65). Madrid is cheaper — your money goes 21% further there.
Budget breakdown — $40K in both cities
What $40K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Scranton $40K | Madrid $40K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $2,625 | $2,028 |
| 1BR rent | $1,050 | $1,200 |
| Groceries | $361 | $380 |
| Transport | $58 | $150 |
| Utilities | $165 | $95 |
| Internet | $62 | $35 |
| Left after essentials | $929/month | $168/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $40K in Scranton equivalent to in Madrid?
$40K in Scranton (COL index 83) has the same purchasing power as $31,518 in Madrid (COL index 65). That's 21% less than your current salary.
If I move from Scranton to Madrid keeping my $40K salary, will I be better off?
Yes. If you keep earning $40K after moving to Madrid, you'd have $-761 more per month after core expenses — because Madrid is cheaper than Scranton.
How is the salary equivalent calculated?
The equivalent salary is calculated by multiplying your current salary by the ratio of the two cities' overall cost of living indices: $40K × (65 ÷ 83) = $31,518. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Scranton to Madrid
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only