🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $667 in Al Kufah versus $2,280 in Lisbon.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,063 in Al Kufah versus $3,294 in Lisbon.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,460 in Al Kufah versus $4,307 in Lisbon.
🌍Living in Al Kufah costs roughly 71% less than in Lisbon, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Al Kufah is 50% below, Lisbon is 71% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Al Kufah
Lisbon
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.30IQD 6,938
$15.75€13.74
-66.35%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$36.29IQD 47.5K
$63.5€55.3
-42.83%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.45IQD 9,759
$10.45€9.11
-28.71%
Cappuccino
$2.96IQD 3,871
$2.91€2.54
1.72%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.36IQD 476
$2.29€2.00
-84.28%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.19IQD 244
$1.50€1.31
-87.33%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.50IQD 4,580
$3.56€3.11
-1.69%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.88IQD 3,773
$3.96€3.46
-27.27%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Al Kufah
Lisbon
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.12IQD 1,470
$1.08€0.94
3.70%
White Bread(500g)
$0.61IQD 801
$1.76€1.54
-65.34%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.60IQD 2,096
$1.70€1.48
-5.88%
Eggs
$1.75IQD 2,290
$3.25€2.83
-46.15%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$2.30IQD 3,017
$13.25€11.55
-82.64%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.96IQD 3,882
$7.70€6.72
-61.56%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.08IQD 13.2K
$15.77€13.75
-36.08%
Apples(1kg)
$0.48IQD 632
$2.28€1.99
-78.95%
Banana(1kg)
$0.94IQD 1,226
$1.66€1.44
-43.37%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.68IQD 885
$2.02€1.76
-66.34%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.50IQD 655
$2.47€2.16
-79.76%
Potato(1kg)
$0.37IQD 488
$1.79€1.56
-79.33%
Onion(1kg)
$0.31IQD 402
$2.07€1.80
-85.02%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.63IQD 829
$1.97€1.72
-68.02%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.45IQD 589
$0.83€0.73
-45.78%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.98IQD 2,588
$6.55€5.71
-69.77%
Wine(Bottle)
$13.68IQD 17.9K
$5.57€4.85
145.60%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.86IQD 2,439
$1.33€1.16
39.85%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.12IQD 2,772
$3.01€2.62
-29.57%
🚌 Getting Around
Al Kufah
Lisbon
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.38IQD 495
$2.27€1.98
-83.26%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$30.80IQD 40.3K
$46.35€40.41
-33.55%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.25IQD 2,941
$4.23€3.69
-46.81%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.49IQD 1,949
$0.85€0.74
75.29%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.80IQD 10.2K
$18.83€16.41
-58.58%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.50IQD 661
$2.02€1.76
-75.25%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$20.2KIQD 26.5M
$35.0K€30.5K
-42.20%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$19.7KIQD 25.8M
$39.6K€34.6K
-50.31%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Al Kufah
Lisbon
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$40.44IQD 52.9K
$148€129
-72.66%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$26.03IQD 34.1K
$20.52€17.89
26.85%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.39IQD 30.6K
$39.52€34.46
-40.81%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Al Kufah
Lisbon
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.75IQD 33.7K
$48.17€42.00
-46.54%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.14IQD 22.4K
$18.39€16.03
-6.80%
Cinema Ticket
$7.49IQD 9,804
$9.10€7.93
-17.69%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Al Kufah
Lisbon
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$86.2IQD 112.9K
$615€536
-85.98%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$2,396IQD 3.1M
$16.3K€14.2K
-85.29%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Al Kufah
Lisbon
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$21.08IQD 27.6K
$102€88.6
-79.25%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$29.78IQD 39.0K
$42.09€36.69
-29.25%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$19.61IQD 25.7K
$92.3€80.5
-78.76%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$27.17IQD 35.6K
$122€106
-77.74%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Al Kufah
Lisbon
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$214IQD 280.1K
$1,612€1,405
-86.73%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$176IQD 230.6K
$1,254€1,093
-85.95%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$423IQD 553.3K
$3,069€2,676
-86.23%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$295IQD 385.7K
$2,037€1,776
-85.54%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,317IQD 1.7M
$7,751€6,757
-83.01%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$383IQD 502.0K
$4,286€3,737
-91.06%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Al Kufah
Lisbon
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,031IQD 1.3M
$1,602€1,396
-35.65%
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: July 28, 2026
Last update for Lisbon: July 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $214 in Al Kufah and $1,612 in Lisbon. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Lisbon pays 55% 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: $36.00 in Al Kufah vs $63.0 in Lisbon for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $147 vs $267 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 242% 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 55% 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: $214 in Al Kufah versus $1,612 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 in Lisbon?
Dining out is cheaper in Al Kufah – a meal for two runs $36.00 versus $63.0 in Lisbon. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
What are total monthly expenses in Al Kufah and in Lisbon?
All in, you'll spend $667 per month in Al Kufah versus $2,280 in Lisbon – a 242% 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 $667 in Al Kufah versus $2,280 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 242% less than in Lisbon. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.