🙂A single person spends $373 per month in Bahir Dar vs $2,280 in Lisbon, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $568 per month in Bahir Dar vs $3,294 in Lisbon, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $764 per month in Bahir Dar vs $4,307 in Lisbon, rent included.
🙂Bahir Dar is about 84% cheaper than Lisbon, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Bahir Dar sits 72% below the global median, while Lisbon is 71% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Bahir Dar
Lisbon
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.40ETB 543
$15.75€13.74
-78.41%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
-
$63.5€55.3
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
-
$10.45€9.11
-
Cappuccino
$0.98ETB 157
$2.91€2.54
-66.32%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.41ETB 65.8
$2.29€2.00
-82.10%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.52ETB 83.7
$1.50€1.31
-65.33%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$0.74ETB 117
$3.56€3.11
-79.21%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.99ETB 317
$3.96€3.46
-49.75%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Bahir Dar
Lisbon
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.98ETB 157
$1.08€0.94
-9.26%
White Bread(500g)
$0.99ETB 158
$1.76€1.54
-43.75%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.02ETB 163
$1.70€1.48
-40.00%
Eggs
$1.77ETB 282
$3.25€2.83
-45.54%
Local Cheese(1kg)
-
$13.25€11.55
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
-
$7.70€6.72
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.14ETB 1,619
$15.77€13.75
-35.70%
Apples(1kg)
$2.97ETB 474
$2.28€1.99
30.26%
Banana(1kg)
$1.01ETB 162
$1.66€1.44
-39.16%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.04ETB 326
$2.02€1.76
0.99%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.78ETB 125
$2.47€2.16
-68.42%
Potato(1kg)
$0.62ETB 99.6
$1.79€1.56
-65.36%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17ETB 187
$2.07€1.80
-43.48%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.01ETB 161
$1.97€1.72
-48.73%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.48ETB 76.9
$0.83€0.73
-42.17%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
-
$6.55€5.71
-
Wine(Bottle)
$4.07ETB 649
$5.57€4.85
-26.93%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.84ETB 133
$1.33€1.16
-36.84%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.99ETB 317
$3.01€2.62
-33.89%
🚌 Getting Around
Bahir Dar
Lisbon
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
-
$2.27€1.98
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$46.35€40.41
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
-
$4.23€3.69
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.48ETB 76.7
$0.85€0.74
-43.53%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$1.97ETB 315
$18.83€16.41
-89.54%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.03ETB 164
$2.02€1.76
-49.01%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$35.0K€30.5K
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$39.6K€34.6K
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Bahir Dar
Lisbon
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$101ETB 16.1K
$148€129
-31.68%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.95ETB 1,590
$20.52€17.89
-51.51%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
-
$39.52€34.46
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Bahir Dar
Lisbon
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$50.9ETB 8,133
$48.17€42.00
5.71%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$61.1ETB 9,754
$18.39€16.03
232.14%
Cinema Ticket
$6.14ETB 980
$9.10€7.93
-32.53%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Bahir Dar
Lisbon
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$50.4ETB 8,047
$615€536
-91.80%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
-
$16.3K€14.2K
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Bahir Dar
Lisbon
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$49.40ETB 7,889
$102€88.6
-51.36%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$42.09€36.69
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
-
$92.3€80.5
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$122€106
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Bahir Dar
Lisbon
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$1,612€1,405
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$1,254€1,093
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$3,069€2,676
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$2,037€1,776
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,008ETB 320.7K
$7,751€6,757
-74.09%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,489ETB 237.8K
$4,286€3,737
-65.26%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Bahir Dar
Lisbon
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$198ETB 31.6K
$1,602€1,396
-87.66%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
0
3.81
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Bahir Dar: July 26, 2026
Last update for Lisbon: July 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
💰Salaries run about 710% higher in Lisbon, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
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
Bahir Dar vs Lisbon: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Bahir Dar or Lisbon?
Lisbon costs about 512% more than Bahir Dar, with the gap driven mainly by Eating Out. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Bahir Dar and in Lisbon?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $559 per month in Bahir Dar and $3,420 in Lisbon. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How much does it cost to live in Bahir Dar compared to Lisbon?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $373 in Bahir Dar and $2,280 in Lisbon. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Are groceries more expensive in Bahir Dar or in Lisbon?
Groceries cost about 114% more in Lisbon, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Bahir Dar or in Lisbon?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Bahir Dar, where all-in costs run around $373, than in Lisbon at $2,280. In Bahir Dar it covers expenses comfortably, while in Lisbon it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Bahir Dar or Lisbon?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Bahir Dar costs $373 versus $2,280 in Lisbon. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Bahir Dar compared to 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.
Should I move to Bahir Dar or to Lisbon?
If budget matters most, go with Bahir Dar. 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.