🙂A single person spends $968 per month in Ar-rustaq vs $2,263 in Lisbon, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $1,327 per month in Ar-rustaq vs $3,315 in Lisbon, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $1,686 per month in Ar-rustaq vs $4,368 in Lisbon, rent included.
🙂Ar-rustaq is about 57% cheaper than Lisbon, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Ar-rustaq sits 28% below the global median, while Lisbon is 68% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Ar-rustaq
Lisbon
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.25OMR 2.02
$15.94€13.73
-67.06%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$26.09OMR 10.04
$63.4€54.6
-58.83%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.74OMR 2.98
$10.38€8.95
-25.43%
Cappuccino
$4.75OMR 1.83
$2.79€2.40
70.25%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.54OMR 0.21
$2.34€2.01
-76.92%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.25OMR 0.10
$1.57€1.35
-84.08%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$12.22OMR 4.71
$3.43€2.95
256.27%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$11.74OMR 4.52
$3.91€3.37
200.26%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Ar-rustaq
Lisbon
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.99OMR 0.77
$1.08€0.93
84.26%
White Bread(500g)
$1.25OMR 0.48
$1.77€1.52
-29.38%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.66OMR 0.64
$1.71€1.47
-2.92%
Eggs
$1.88OMR 0.72
$3.15€2.71
-40.32%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$3.81OMR 1.47
$13.68€11.79
-72.15%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.19OMR 1.61
$8.01€6.90
-47.69%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.88OMR 3.03
$15.52€13.37
-49.23%
Apples(1kg)
$2.37OMR 0.91
$2.29€1.98
3.49%
Banana(1kg)
$1.67OMR 0.64
$1.64€1.41
1.83%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.85OMR 0.71
$1.94€1.67
-4.64%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.17OMR 0.45
$2.51€2.17
-53.39%
Potato(1kg)
$0.94OMR 0.36
$1.79€1.54
-47.49%
Onion(1kg)
$1.01OMR 0.39
$2.01€1.73
-49.75%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.08OMR 0.41
$1.97€1.69
-45.18%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.50OMR 0.19
$0.84€0.73
-40.48%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.46OMR 2.49
$6.79€5.85
-4.86%
Wine(Bottle)
$15.78OMR 6.07
$5.67€4.89
178.31%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$4.34OMR 1.67
$1.39€1.20
212.23%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$7.75OMR 2.98
$3.02€2.60
156.62%
🚌 Getting Around
Ar-rustaq
Lisbon
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.27OMR 0.49
$2.27€1.95
-44.05%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$45.44€39.15
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.54OMR 0.59
$4.29€3.70
-64.10%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.80OMR 0.31
$0.85€0.73
-5.88%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$10.61OMR 4.08
$18.28€15.75
-41.96%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.64OMR 0.25
$1.99€1.71
-67.84%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$23.1KOMR 8,882
$35.0K€30.2K
-34.14%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.5KOMR 8,269
$39.5K€34.1K
-45.68%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ar-rustaq
Lisbon
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$105OMR 40.54
$146€126
-27.95%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$40.96OMR 15.76
$20.45€17.62
100.29%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$70.5OMR 27.14
$38.98€33.58
80.86%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Ar-rustaq
Lisbon
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
-
$48.98€42.21
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$2.56OMR 0.98
$18.83€16.22
-86.40%
Cinema Ticket
$10.36OMR 3.99
$9.52€8.21
8.82%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Ar-rustaq
Lisbon
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$131OMR 50.5
$608€524
-78.43%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$3,733OMR 1,437
$16.5K€14.2K
-77.39%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Ar-rustaq
Lisbon
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$20.56OMR 7.91
$104€89.5
-80.21%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$25.92OMR 9.98
$42.12€36.29
-38.46%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$38.82OMR 14.94
$92.2€79.5
-57.91%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$51.3OMR 19.74
$120€103
-57.27%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Ar-rustaq
Lisbon
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$153OMR 58.9
$1,621€1,397
-90.56%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$206OMR 79.3
$1,268€1,092
-83.75%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$389OMR 150
$3,048€2,626
-87.22%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$204OMR 78.6
$2,009€1,731
-89.84%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$7,663€6,602
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$4,329€3,730
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Ar-rustaq
Lisbon
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$4,401OMR 1,694
$1,585€1,366
177.68%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.15
3.81
35.17%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Ar-rustaq: June 8, 2026
Last update for Lisbon: June 8, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $153 in Ar-rustaq versus $1,621 in Lisbon. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
💰Salaries run about 178% higher in Ar-rustaq, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $26.00 in Ar-rustaq versus $63.0 in Lisbon. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $222 vs $269 – making Ar-rustaq the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
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
Ar-rustaq vs Lisbon: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lisbon cheaper than Ar-rustaq?
Yes – Lisbon is pricier by about 134%, and the gap shows up most in Clothing & Footwear. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,452 per month in Ar-rustaq and $3,394 in Lisbon. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Ar-rustaq, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
What are total monthly expenses in Ar-rustaq vs Lisbon?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $968 in Ar-rustaq and $2,263 in Lisbon. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Kindergarten costs $131 per month in Ar-rustaq and $608 in Lisbon. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Ar-rustaq or Lisbon?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Ar-rustaq, where all-in costs run around $968, than in Lisbon at $2,263. In Ar-rustaq it covers expenses comfortably, while in Lisbon it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Ar-rustaq or Lisbon more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Ar-rustaq – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Ar-rustaq or Lisbon?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Ar-rustaq. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Lisbon makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.