5 5 schools$1,900/mo avg rentMedium expat community
Large residential district in northeastern Madrid offering more space and lower rents. Close to several international schools and the airport.
4/5
Safety
4/5
Family Friendly
4/5
Quality of Life
3/5
Expat Friendly
4/5
Healthcare
Medium
Expat Community
1-33°C
Temp Range
Moderate
English Level
☀️ Climate & Weather
Monthly temperatures, rainfall, and sea conditions
33°C
Hottest (Jul)
2°C
Coolest (Dec)
16
Sunny days/mo avg
401mm
Annual rainfall
Avg highAvg lowRainfall
💰 Cost of Living
Monthly family budget estimates (USD)
At a Glance
$1,900
Avg. rent /mo
$13
Budget meal
$40
Mid-range dinner (2 ppl)
Dining & Drinks
Cappuccino$1.70
Domestic beer$2.50
Imported beer$3.50
Water (1.5L)$0.62
Groceries
Loaf of bread$1.15
Milk (1L)$1.02
Dozen eggs$2.40
Chicken (1 kg)$5.00
Transport
Taxi flag-drop$3.10
Taxi per km$1.15
Monthly transit pass$54.6
Gasoline (per liter)$1.70
Monthly Bills
Internet$30 /mo
Utilities (avg.)$118 /mo
Gym membership$38 /mo
Domestic help$900 /mo
Preschool / nursery$900 /mo
Comfortable
A family in a 3-bedroom apartment, one car or metro reliance, children at a good local bilingual school.
$4,730/mo
Rent$1,600
Groceries$550
Lifestyle & leisure$300
Transport$150
Utilities$120
Dining out$350
Healthcare$160
School fees (per child)$900
Domestic help$600
Established
A spacious 4-bedroom apartment or townhouse, two cars, children at a private bilingual or international school.
$8,780/mo
Rent$2,800
Groceries$850
Lifestyle & leisure$600
Transport$400
Utilities$180
Dining out$600
Healthcare$350
School fees (per child)$2,000
Domestic help$1,000
Premium
A large house or luxury apartment, two cars and driver for school runs, children at an elite international school, extensive leisure spending.
$15,140/mo
Rent$5,000
Groceries$1,200
Lifestyle & leisure$1,200
Transport$700
Utilities$240
Dining out$1,000
Healthcare$600
School fees (per child)$3,500
Domestic help$1,700
Hortaleza offers more affordable rents than central Madrid while maintaining excellent quality of life. Its suburban character, good schools, and proximity to the airport and tech parks make it popular with professional families who prioritise space and practicality over urban prestige. All figures in USD; 1 EUR is approximately 1.07 USD.
🌬️ Air Quality
Average monthly AQI (US EPA scale)
50Jan
48Feb
44Mar
40Apr
38May
46Jun
54Jul
51Aug
44Sep
42Oct
48Nov
52Dec
Good (0–50)Moderate (51–100)USG (101–150)Unhealthy (151+)
Yearly average AQI is 46. Best air quality Jan–Dec (best: May at 38).
👥 Demographics
14%
Expat Population
middle
Income Level
~185,000
Population
Nationalities
Spanish78%
Romanian6%
Chinese5%
British/Irish4%
Latin American3%
Other4%
Languages Spoken
Spanish80%
🏘️ Community & Culture
Popular with airport staff and tech professionals near BarajasClose to American School of Madrid in AlcobendasDiverse community mixing Spanish, Eastern European, and Asian familiesActive neighbourhood associations driving ongoing investment
A Suburban District with Strong International Links
🌳 Parks & Recreation
Parque Juan Carlos I — 160-hectare modern park with lake and cycling pathsIFEMA convention centre with concerts, art fairs, and events year-roundPadel clubs throughout the district with courts dailyMunicipal pools and sports centres serving all age groups
Parque Juan Carlos I — a Modern Urban Park
🚗 Getting Around
10-15 minute drive to Barajas Airport Terminal 4Metro line 4 to city centre in 25-30 minutesM-40 and A-1 motorway access for fast road connectionsCercanias C-2 rail to Chamartin and Atocha
Airport Access is Unmatched
🛒 Daily Life
El Corte Ingles Manoteras and large hypermarkets for all shoppingAmerican School of Madrid in Alcobendas 20 minutes awayGrowing international restaurant scene within the districtMultiplex cinemas and family entertainment in nearby shopping centres
Practical Suburban Shopping and Services
📝 Living with the Climate
Marginally cooler summer temperatures than the urban centreWinter fog near Barajas can affect early flights — plan accordinglyCommunal pools and gardens make summer heat more bearableSierra de Guadarrama weekend hikes 40-50 minutes by car
