🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $679 in Al Kufah versus $2,227 in Lisbon.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,052 in Al Kufah versus $3,305 in Lisbon.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,425 in Al Kufah versus $4,384 in Lisbon.
🙂Living in Al Kufah costs roughly 70% less than in Lisbon, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Al Kufah is 49% below, Lisbon is 66% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Al Kufah
Lisbon
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.28IQD 6,918
$16.17€13.81
-67.35%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$35.99IQD 47.1K
$64.6€55.1
-44.26%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.69IQD 10.1K
$10.38€8.86
-25.92%
Cappuccino
$3.11IQD 4,078
$2.77€2.37
12.27%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.39IQD 516
$2.25€1.92
-82.67%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.20IQD 262
$1.57€1.34
-87.26%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.35IQD 4,391
$3.49€2.98
-4.01%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.95IQD 3,860
$4.00€3.42
-26.25%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Al Kufah
Lisbon
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.11IQD 1,456
$1.08€0.93
2.78%
White Bread(500g)
$0.61IQD 794
$1.74€1.49
-64.94%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.64IQD 2,151
$1.74€1.48
-5.75%
Eggs
$1.78IQD 2,333
$3.18€2.71
-44.03%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$2.32IQD 3,035
$13.43€11.47
-82.73%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.04IQD 3,982
$7.99€6.83
-61.95%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.75IQD 12.8K
$16.09€13.74
-39.40%
Apples(1kg)
$0.52IQD 686
$2.28€1.95
-77.19%
Banana(1kg)
$0.99IQD 1,291
$1.72€1.47
-42.44%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.67IQD 882
$1.94€1.66
-65.46%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.49IQD 643
$2.54€2.17
-80.71%
Potato(1kg)
$0.38IQD 492
$1.83€1.56
-79.23%
Onion(1kg)
$0.31IQD 403
$2.04€1.74
-84.80%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.66IQD 867
$1.98€1.69
-66.67%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.45IQD 586
$0.85€0.73
-47.06%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.01IQD 2,633
$6.85€5.85
-70.66%
Wine(Bottle)
$13.79IQD 18.1K
$5.78€4.93
138.58%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.80IQD 2,353
$1.37€1.17
31.39%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.08IQD 2,719
$2.90€2.48
-28.28%
🚌 Getting Around
Al Kufah
Lisbon
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.35IQD 458
$2.28€1.95
-84.65%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$30.80IQD 40.3K
$46.84€40.00
-34.24%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.36IQD 3,089
$4.08€3.48
-42.16%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.54IQD 2,021
$0.82€0.70
87.80%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.63IQD 9,991
$18.27€15.60
-58.24%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.54IQD 711
$2.01€1.71
-73.13%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$19.8KIQD 25.9M
$35.3K€30.1K
-43.83%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$19.8KIQD 26.0M
$38.5K€32.9K
-48.43%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Al Kufah
Lisbon
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$40.64IQD 53.2K
$145€124
-72.05%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$25.83IQD 33.8K
$20.96€17.90
23.23%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$22.68IQD 29.7K
$40.05€34.21
-43.37%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Al Kufah
Lisbon
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.24IQD 33.1K
$48.79€41.66
-48.27%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.58IQD 21.7K
$18.69€15.97
-11.29%
Cinema Ticket
$7.46IQD 9,770
$9.06€7.74
-17.66%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Al Kufah
Lisbon
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$88.3IQD 115.7K
$607€518
-85.44%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$2,403IQD 3.1M
$16.3K€13.9K
-85.28%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Al Kufah
Lisbon
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$21.19IQD 27.8K
$105€89.4
-79.75%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$30.53IQD 40.0K
$40.95€34.97
-25.45%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$19.61IQD 25.7K
$93.6€79.9
-79.04%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$28.02IQD 36.7K
$119€101
-76.36%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Al Kufah
Lisbon
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$214IQD 280.1K
$1,604€1,370
-86.67%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$181IQD 237.3K
$1,236€1,055
-85.34%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$432IQD 566.3K
$3,046€2,601
-85.81%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$287IQD 376.5K
$2,057€1,756
-86.02%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,265IQD 4.3M
$7,709€6,583
-57.65%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,674IQD 2.2M
$4,266€3,644
-60.76%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Al Kufah
Lisbon
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$768IQD 1.0M
$1,584€1,353
-51.49%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.67
3.81
48.82%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Al Kufah: April 27, 2026
Last update for Lisbon: April 26, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $214 in Al Kufah and $1,604 in Lisbon. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Lisbon pays 106% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $36 in Al Kufah vs $65 in Lisbon for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $146 vs $271 per month, with Al Kufah cheaper across the board.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Al Kufah vs Lisbon: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lisbon cheaper than Al Kufah?
Al Kufah is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Clothing & Footwear, Getting Around. The 228% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Al Kufah or Lisbon?
On paper, Lisbon earns 106% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
What is the rent difference between Al Kufah and Lisbon?
Rent for a central apartment: $214 in Al Kufah versus $1,604 in Lisbon. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Is eating out cheaper in Al Kufah or Lisbon?
Dining out is cheaper in Al Kufah – a meal for two runs $36.00 versus $65.0 in Lisbon. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
What are total monthly expenses in Al Kufah vs Lisbon?
All in, you'll spend $679 per month in Al Kufah versus $2,227 in Lisbon – a 228% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Al Kufah or Lisbon?
At $679 in Al Kufah versus $2,227 in Lisbon, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Al Kufah but tight or insufficient in Lisbon. The gap between the two cities makes Al Kufah the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Al Kufah or Lisbon more family-friendly?
For families, Al Kufah is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Lisbon, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Al Kufah or Lisbon?
Safety-wise, Al Kufah and Lisbon are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Al Kufah gentler on the wallet – expenses run 228% less than in Lisbon. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.