Madrid logs 78 hot days a year to Palma's 16 — Palma wins by 62. Palma also leads on outdoor-dinner months by 1.

Madrid runs about $2,244/mo for a balanced lifestyle against Palma's $2,159/mo — Palma comes in $85 cheaper each month, roughly 4% less.

On mobility, Madrid scores 3.6 vs Palma's 3.0 (0–5 scale), with the biggest gap on flight connectivity. Palma still holds an edge on car efficiency.

Madrid's culture score of 4.2 sits well above Palma's 3.5, with the biggest gap on theatre & performing arts.

Palma's nature & outdoors score of 4.5 sits well above Madrid's 4.0, with the biggest gap on sea access. Madrid still holds an edge on skiing & snowboarding.

Palma's safety score of 2.9 sits well above Madrid's 2.5, with the biggest gap on walking safety. Madrid still holds an edge on flooding safety.

Madrid's career score of 4.1 sits well above Palma's 2.1, with the biggest gap on economic scale.

Madrid and Palma score neck-and-neck on social & community (3.6 vs 3.4, 0–5 scale).

On food & dining, Madrid scores 3.8 vs Palma's 2.6 (0–5 scale), with the biggest gap on vegan & vegetarian options.

On family, Madrid scores 3.9 vs Palma's 3.1 (0–5 scale), with the biggest gap on international schools.

Madrid and Palma score neck-and-neck on healthcare (3.7 vs 3.7, 0–5 scale).

Madrid averages 10.3 µg/m³ (moderate) PM2.5 annually versus Palma's 9.4 µg/m³ (good) — Palma breathes ~9% cleaner air (0.9 µg/m³ lower).

Who Thrives Here