Today in our review we will compare two very different, but, nevertheless, very prosperous countries – Spain and the USA. There are really a lot of differences between these two countries: the huge area of the United States and the compact (compared to them) European Spain, the famous American democracy and the majestic Spanish monarchy, the pursuit of the «American dream» or living in the style of the Spanish «fiesta and siesta»? First, let’s look at statistics and numbers.
USA vs Spain: General Information
| USA | Spain | |
| Region | North America | Southern Europe |
| Land Area | 9,826,675 km² | 505,990 km² |
| State Language | English (American English) | Spanish (Castilian) |
| Form of Government | Constitutional Federal Republic | Democratic Constitutional Monarchy |
| Independence since | 1776 | 1492 |
| Capital City | Washington | Madrid |
USA vs Spain: Population
| USA | Spain | |
| Number of Inhabitants | 332,403,650 | 46,785,347 |
| Population Density | 34.05 per km2 | 94 per km² |
| Life Expectancy | 76.6 years | 83.86 years |
| Median Age | 38 years | 42.7 years |
| Birth Rate | 12.012 births per 1000 people | 8.014 births per 1000 people |
| Death Rate | 9.075 per 1000 people | 9.410 per 1000 people |
| Net Migration Rate | 2.784 per 1000 population | 0.857 per 1000 population |
USA vs Spain: Quality of Life
What is the Quality of Life Index?
The portal numbeo.com give us the following definition:
«Quality of Life Index (higher is better) is an estimation of overall quality of life by using an empirical formula which takes into account purchasing power index (higher is better), pollution index (lower is better), house price to income ratio (lower is better), cost of living index (lower is better), safety index (higher is better), health care index (higher is better), traffic commute time index (lower is better) and climate index (higher is better).»
Now let’s look at the example of the United States and Spain.
| USA | Spain | |
| Purchasing Power Index | 96.59 High | 69.49 Moderate |
| Safety Index | 51.71 Moderate | 65.72 High |
| Health Care Index | 69.02 High | 78.15 High |
| Climate Index | 76.51 High | 93.83 Very High |
| Cost of Living Index | 69.18 Moderate | 51.68 Low |
| Property Price to Income Ratio | 4.59 Very Low | 8.72 Moderate |
| Traffic Commute Time Index | 32.88 Low | 29.22 Low |
| Pollution Index | 35.57 Low | 39.19 Low |
| Quality of Life Index | 165.94 Very High | 168.57 Very High |
What do these numbers tell us? US residents have a very high purchasing power, significantly higher than in Spain. Property prices to income in the US are almost twice as favorable. In terms of safety, health care and pollution index, the data of both countries is similar, being in a positive way.
USA vs Spain: Health Care
| USA | Spain | |
| Skill and competency of medical staff | 74.30 High | 81.99 Very High |
| Speed in completing examination and reports | 71.84 High | 67.93 High |
| Equipment for modern diagnosis and treatment | 86.02 Very High | 86.68 Very High |
| Accuracy and completeness in filling out report | 74.99 High | 77.99 High |
| Friendliness and courtesy of the staff | 75.55 High | 76.74 High |
| Satisfaction with responsiveness (waitings) in medical institutions | 61.19 High | 55.15 Moderate |
| Satisfaction with cost to you | 48.37 Moderate | 86.00 Very High |
| Convenience of location for you | 80.55 Very High | 84.88 Very High |
| Health Care System Index | 69.02 | 78.15 |
Based on these data, we can conclude that things are looking good in regard to medical care in the United States and Spain. In 2021, the CEOWORLD magazine Health Care Index reviewed 89 countries, where Spain ranked 8th with 64.66 points, and USA ranked 30th with 45.62 points respectively. But then in 2022, the World’s Best Hospitals – Top 250 ranking gave first, second and third place to American medical clinics – Mayo Clinic – Rochester, Cleveland Clinic, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Spain with Hospital Universitario La Paz (Madrid) was only 52th on this list.
Cost of Living Comparison Washington vs Madrid
In 2022, you would need around 3,868.68$ (3,673.05€) in Madrid to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with 6,900.00$ in Washington (assuming you rent in both cities). This assumes net earnings (after income tax).
- Consumer Prices in Madrid are 33.78% lower than in Washington (without rent)
- Consumer Prices Including Rent in Madrid are 43.93% lower than in Washington
- Rent Prices in Madrid are 57% lower than in Washington
- Restaurant Prices in Madrid are 22.46% lower than in Washington
- Groceries Prices in Madrid are 48.77% lower than in Washington
- Local Purchasing Power in Madrid is 44.49% lower than in Washington
Utilities (Monthly)
- Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment
Washington 162.63$ (154.41€), Madrid 166.67 $ (158.24€)
- 1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local
Washington 0.17$ (0.16€), Madrid 0.19$ (0.18€)
- Internet (Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)
Washington 60.81$ (57.74€), Madrid 37.71$ (35.80€)
The cost of utilities and mobile communications is comparable, but the Internet in Spain is almost twice cheaper.
Sports And Leisure
- Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult
Washington 93.33$ (88.61€), Madrid 43.87$ (41.65€)
- Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat
Washington 13.50$ (12.81€), Madrid 9.48 $ (9.00 €)
Please note: Notwithstanding the widespread stereotype that everyone in the US is overweight, this usually does not apply to those belonging to the middle class and above. These people, on the contrary, strive to bring in line career achievements and appearance, which is reflected in the cost of a pass to a fitness club.
Childcare
- Preschool (or Kindergarten) Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child
Washington 2,162.50$ (2,053.15€), Madrid 528.55$ (501.82€)
- International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child
Washington 35,109.75$ (33,334.36€), Madrid 10,321.95$ (9,800.00€)
As we can see, a good paid education costs 3-4 times more in the USA than in Spain. This does not mean at all that the quality of education in Spain is lower – there are many prestigious universities here. It is rather about life priorities: as for the USA, education and career are highly valued, and as for Spain, a measured rhythm of life without unnecessary stress is more typical.
Salaries And Financing
- Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
Washington 6,215.60$ (5,901.29€), Madrid 1,934.36$ (1,836.54€)
- Mortgage Interest Rate (%)
Washington 3.49, Madrid 1.99
Buy Apartment Price
- Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City Centre
Washington 13,148.85$ (12,483.95€), Madrid 5,111.43$ (4,852.96€)
- Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre
Washington 3,650.79$ (3,466.18€), Madrid 3,652.79$ (3,468.08€)
Salaries in the US capital are almost three times higher, while the cost of housing outside the city centre is almost identical to the Spanish capital, and as for the city centre, the difference is 61.13%!
Speaking superficially about these countries, both are prosperous and have really high living standards. However, it seems to us that ambitious individuals will feel more comfortable in the USA – a huge country with a high income level and career opportunities, and those who like sleeping in the afternoon and admire beautiful sunsets with a glass of wine – welcome to Spain! Or maybe you see these countries differently?
