6 6 schools$3,200/mo avg rentLarge expat community
Madrid's western edge bordering Pozuelo, combining quiet suburban atmosphere with proximity to international schools. Gated communities and villas with communal pools.
5/5
Safety
5/5
Family Friendly
5/5
Quality of Life
5/5
Expat Friendly
4/5
Healthcare
Large
Expat Community
1-33°C
Temp Range
High
English Level
☀️ Climate & Weather
Monthly temperatures, rainfall, and sea conditions
33°C
Hottest (Jul)
2°C
Coolest (Dec)
16
Sunny days/mo avg
402mm
Annual rainfall
Avg highAvg lowRainfall
💰 Cost of Living
Monthly family budget estimates (USD)
At a Glance
$3,200
Avg. rent /mo
$15
Budget meal
$50
Mid-range dinner (2 ppl)
Dining & Drinks
Cappuccino$2.00
Domestic beer$3.00
Imported beer$4.00
Water (1.5L)$0.70
Groceries
Loaf of bread$1.30
Milk (1L)$1.05
Dozen eggs$2.60
Chicken (1 kg)$5.50
Transport
Taxi flag-drop$3.10
Taxi per km$1.15
Monthly transit pass$54.6
Gasoline (per liter)$1.72
Monthly Bills
Internet$32 /mo
Utilities (avg.)$130 /mo
Gym membership$55 /mo
Domestic help$1,100 /mo
Preschool / nursery$1,200 /mo
Comfortable
A family in a 3-bedroom apartment, using public transport or one car, children at a good bilingual state school or affordable private school.
$5,980/mo
Rent$2,200
Groceries$600
Lifestyle & leisure$350
Transport$200
Utilities$130
Dining out$400
Healthcare$200
School fees (per child)$1,200
Domestic help$700
Established
A spacious 4-bedroom semi-detached house, one or two cars, children at a top-tier international school, active social and leisure life.
$10,900/mo
Rent$3,800
Groceries$900
Lifestyle & leisure$700
Transport$500
Utilities$200
Dining out$700
Healthcare$400
School fees (per child)$2,500
Domestic help$1,200
Premium
A detached villa with garden and pool, live-in housekeeper, children at the British or American school, extensive leisure spending.
$18,500/mo
Rent$6,500
Groceries$1,400
Lifestyle & leisure$1,500
Transport$900
Utilities$300
Dining out$1,200
Healthcare$700
School fees (per child)$4,000
Domestic help$2,000
Aravaca is one of the most desirable and expensive residential suburbs of Madrid, attracting embassy staff, senior executives, and affluent expat families. Rents are high by Madrid standards, though noticeably lower than central Salamanca or Pozuelo de Alarcon villas. The area has excellent private schools, healthcare, and supermarkets, meaning residents can comfortably spend at a premium level. All figures in USD; 1 EUR is approximately 1.07 USD.
🌬️ Air Quality
Average monthly AQI (US EPA scale)
48Jan
46Feb
42Mar
38Apr
36May
44Jun
52Jul
50Aug
42Sep
40Oct
46Nov
50Dec
Good (0–50)Moderate (51–100)USG (101–150)Unhealthy (151+)
Yearly average AQI is 45. Best air quality Jan–Dec (best: May at 36).
👥 Demographics
22%
Expat Population
upper-middle
Income Level
~28,000
Population
Nationalities
Spanish72%
British/Irish8%
American5%
French5%
Latin American4%
Other6%
Languages Spoken
Spanish78%
🏘️ Community & Culture
Strong expat network anchored around international schoolsEnglish widely spoken; French and Arabic common in daily lifeQuiet village-centre feel with traditional tapas barsActive parents associations and neighbourhood sports clubs
A Leafy Diplomatic Enclave
🌳 Parks & Recreation
Direct trail access to 15,000-hectare Monte de El Pardo royal forestClub de Campo — tennis, padel, pool, golf near the neighbourhoodSierra de Guadarrama ski resort 45 minutes awayParque de Aravaca with playgrounds and outdoor gym
Monte de El Pardo — Madrid's Green Lung at Your Doorstep
🚗 Getting Around
Cercanias C-7 rail to central Madrid in 20-25 minutesA-6 motorway — 15-20 minutes to city centre by car off-peakGreenway paths connect the neighbourhood to El Pardo forestCabify and Uber widely available
Well Connected Despite Its Suburban Feel
🛒 Daily Life
Mercadona and Carrefour for daily shopping; weekly fresh marketHospital Quirónsalud with English-speaking staff in nearby PozueloKing's College Madrid and American School within short driveLas Rozas Village outlet mall 20 minutes away
International Supermarkets and Local Produce
📝 Living with the Climate
Up to 300 sunny days per year — one of Europe's sunniest capitalsCold winters with occasional frosts; summers regularly above 35°CForest proximity reduces urban heat island effect in summerSpring and autumn are ideal for outdoor family life
