Madrid vs Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
How to read the comparison chart
The grouped bars score each city 0–100 on cost, climate and safety — taller is better. Madrid leads on any axis where its bar is higher, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria where its is. The cost bar uses a higher-is-cheaper scale, so Las Palmas de Gran Canaria's taller cost bar reflects its lower cost of living, not a higher price.
| Axis | Madrid | Las Palmas de Gran Canaria |
|---|---|---|
| Livability | 63 | 67 |
| Cost (higher=cheaper) | 40 | 47 |
| Climate | 94 | 100 |
| Safety | 60 | 60 |
| Summer °C | 25.2 | 23.1 |
| Winter °C | 5.8 | 16.8 |
| Top disaster risk | wildfire | drought |
Madrid vs Las Palmas de Gran Canaria: the short answer
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria comes out ahead on overall livability (67/100), modestly above Madrid (63/100). The two cities diverge most on cost of living. On affordability Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is the cheaper base — a moderate gap on our cost index (Madrid 40 vs Las Palmas de Gran Canaria 47, where a higher score means a lower cost of living, normalised from World Bank price levels). For climate, Madrid runs warmer in summer (about 25.2°C peak vs 23.1°C in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria), while winter lows sit near 5.8°C in Madrid and 16.8°C in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. On natural-disaster exposure Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is the safer choice (safety 60/100); the dominant modelled hazard is wildfire for Madrid and drought for Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
Which city should you choose?
- On a tight budget → Las Palmas de Gran Canaria — lower everyday costs..
- You want warmth → Madrid — hotter summers.
- Safety is the priority → Las Palmas de Gran Canaria — lower disaster risk.
- Best all-rounder → Las Palmas de Gran Canaria — highest overall livability.
Data & methodology
Cost scores are normalised from World Bank price-level data. Climate figures (summer highs, winter lows) are drawn from 1991–2020 climate normals. Disaster-safety blends USGS earthquake history (magnitude 4.5+ within 300 km since 1980), tropical-cyclone basin position, flood/elevation exposure and Köppen climate zone. The livability score is the weighted composite of cost, climate and safety. All figures are planning indicators for 2026, not guarantees — verify specifics before relocating.
FAQ
Is Madrid or Las Palmas de Gran Canaria better to live in?
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria scores higher overall — 67 vs 63 on our 0–100 livability index, which weights cost, climate and safety.
Which is cheaper, Madrid or Las Palmas de Gran Canaria?
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria has the lower cost of living (cost index 47 vs 40; higher = cheaper, from World Bank price levels).
Which is warmer, Madrid or Las Palmas de Gran Canaria?
Madrid — summer highs reach about 25.2°C versus 23.1°C in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
Which is safer from natural disasters, Madrid or Las Palmas de Gran Canaria?
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (disaster-safety 60/100). Main hazard: wildfire in Madrid, drought in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
What is the main natural-disaster risk in Madrid?
wildfire is the dominant modelled hazard for Madrid on our risk index.
How is the Madrid vs Las Palmas de Gran Canaria comparison calculated?
Cost comes from World Bank price levels, climate from 1991–2020 normals, and disaster risk from USGS earthquake data, cyclone-basin position and flood exposure; livability is their weighted composite.