🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $630 in Al Kufah versus $2,268 in Lisbon.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,038 in Al Kufah versus $3,348 in Lisbon.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,446 in Al Kufah versus $4,429 in Lisbon.
🌍Living in Al Kufah costs roughly 72% less than in Lisbon, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Al Kufah is 54% below, Lisbon is 64% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Al Kufah
Lisbon
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.83IQD 6,320
$17.55€15.12
-72.48%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$34.07IQD 44.6K
$64.5€55.6
-47.17%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.48IQD 9,795
$11.65€10.04
-35.79%
Cappuccino
$3.20IQD 4,191
$3.26€2.81
-1.84%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.36IQD 474
$2.49€2.15
-85.54%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.24IQD 312
$1.67€1.44
-85.63%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.86IQD 5,055
$3.47€2.99
11.24%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.89IQD 5,100
$3.58€3.08
8.66%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Al Kufah
Lisbon
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.03IQD 1,347
$1.18€1.02
-12.71%
White Bread(500g)
$0.79IQD 1,035
$1.95€1.68
-59.49%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.52IQD 1,993
$1.56€1.35
-2.56%
Eggs
$1.82IQD 2,390
$4.01€3.46
-54.61%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$2.33IQD 3,046
$13.27€11.44
-82.44%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.57IQD 5,980
$8.42€7.26
-45.72%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.29IQD 12.2K
$18.23€15.72
-49.04%
Apples(1kg)
$0.75IQD 976
$2.32€2.00
-67.67%
Banana(1kg)
$1.05IQD 1,370
$1.73€1.49
-39.31%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.61IQD 801
$1.93€1.67
-68.39%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.56IQD 739
$2.64€2.27
-78.79%
Potato(1kg)
$0.51IQD 668
$1.90€1.64
-73.16%
Onion(1kg)
$0.33IQD 431
$2.11€1.82
-84.36%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.20IQD 267
$1.44€1.24
-86.11%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.55IQD 716
$0.80€0.69
-31.25%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.59IQD 2,077
$7.01€6.04
-77.32%
Wine(Bottle)
$13.80IQD 18.1K
$5.92€5.11
133.11%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.22IQD 2,908
$1.36€1.18
63.24%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.21IQD 2,893
$2.15€1.85
2.79%
🚌 Getting Around
Al Kufah
Lisbon
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.37IQD 482
$2.38€2.05
-84.45%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$46.22€39.85
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.22IQD 2,909
$4.19€3.61
-47.02%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.55IQD 2,027
$1.10€0.95
40.91%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.69IQD 10.1K
$17.26€14.88
-55.45%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.58IQD 762
$2.25€1.94
-74.22%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$19.4KIQD 25.4M
$34.5K€29.7K
-43.69%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$19.6KIQD 25.6M
$41.6K€35.9K
-52.98%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Al Kufah
Lisbon
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$218IQD 285.9K
$171€147
27.74%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$21.02IQD 27.5K
$19.01€16.38
10.57%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$22.69IQD 29.7K
$34.28€29.55
-33.81%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Al Kufah
Lisbon
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$15.54IQD 20.3K
$49.65€42.80
-68.70%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$19.51€16.81
-
Cinema Ticket
$9.96IQD 13.0K
$10.10€8.71
-1.39%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Al Kufah
Lisbon
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$72.7IQD 95.2K
$699€603
-89.60%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$2,401IQD 3.1M
$17.8K€15.3K
-86.49%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Al Kufah
Lisbon
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$9.86IQD 12.9K
$105€90.2
-90.57%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$29.84IQD 39.1K
$47.97€41.35
-37.79%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$20.17IQD 26.4K
$102€87.8
-80.20%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$34.50IQD 45.2K
$128€111
-73.11%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Al Kufah
Lisbon
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$189IQD 247.3K
$1,661€1,432
-88.63%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$1,228€1,059
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$250IQD 327.9K
$2,915€2,513
-91.41%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$204IQD 266.8K
$2,023€1,744
-89.93%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,333IQD 1.7M
$8,129€7,007
-83.60%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$382IQD 499.8K
$4,635€3,996
-91.77%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Al Kufah
Lisbon
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,017IQD 1.3M
$1,619€1,396
-37.20%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.12
3.78
8.99%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Al Kufah: September 7, 2026
Last update for Lisbon: September 5, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $189 in Al Kufah and $1,661 in Lisbon. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Lisbon pays 59% 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: $34.00 in Al Kufah vs $64.0 in Lisbon for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $157 vs $281 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, Sport & Entertainment. The 260% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Al Kufah or Lisbon?
On paper, salaries run 59% lower in Lisbon. 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: $189 in Al Kufah versus $1,661 in Lisbon. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do food prices compare in Al Kufah and in Lisbon?
Supermarket bills run roughly 79% higher in Lisbon. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
What are total monthly expenses in Al Kufah and in Lisbon?
All in, you'll spend $630 per month in Al Kufah versus $2,268 in Lisbon – a 260% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Al Kufah or in Lisbon?
At $630 in Al Kufah versus $2,268 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 260% less than in Lisbon. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.