🙂A single person spends $368 per month in Bahir Dar vs $2,227 in Lisbon, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $566 per month in Bahir Dar vs $3,305 in Lisbon, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $765 per month in Bahir Dar vs $4,384 in Lisbon, rent included.
🙂Bahir Dar is about 83% cheaper than Lisbon, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Bahir Dar sits 73% below the global median, while Lisbon is 66% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Bahir Dar
Lisbon
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.46ETB 540
$16.17€13.81
-78.60%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
-
$64.6€55.1
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
-
$10.38€8.86
-
Cappuccino
$1.02ETB 159
$2.77€2.37
-63.18%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.41ETB 64.3
$2.25€1.92
-81.78%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.52ETB 80.6
$1.57€1.34
-66.88%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$0.78ETB 122
$3.49€2.98
-77.65%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.01ETB 314
$4.00€3.42
-49.75%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Bahir Dar
Lisbon
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.98ETB 152
$1.08€0.93
-9.26%
White Bread(500g)
$0.97ETB 152
$1.74€1.49
-44.25%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.99ETB 154
$1.74€1.48
-43.10%
Eggs
$1.78ETB 278
$3.18€2.71
-44.03%
Local Cheese(1kg)
-
$13.43€11.47
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
-
$7.99€6.83
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.11ETB 1,578
$16.09€13.74
-37.17%
Apples(1kg)
$3.06ETB 477
$2.28€1.95
34.21%
Banana(1kg)
$0.99ETB 154
$1.72€1.47
-42.44%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.03ETB 317
$1.94€1.66
4.64%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.79ETB 123
$2.54€2.17
-68.90%
Potato(1kg)
$0.66ETB 104
$1.83€1.56
-63.93%
Onion(1kg)
$1.18ETB 183
$2.04€1.74
-42.16%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.97ETB 152
$1.98€1.69
-51.01%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.52ETB 80.7
$0.85€0.73
-38.82%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
-
$6.85€5.85
-
Wine(Bottle)
$4.01ETB 626
$5.78€4.93
-30.62%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.82ETB 128
$1.37€1.17
-40.15%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.06ETB 321
$2.90€2.48
-28.97%
🚌 Getting Around
Bahir Dar
Lisbon
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
-
$2.28€1.95
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$46.84€40.00
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
-
$4.08€3.48
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.51ETB 80.2
$0.82€0.70
-37.80%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.04ETB 318
$18.27€15.60
-88.83%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01ETB 158
$2.01€1.71
-49.75%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$35.3K€30.1K
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$38.5K€32.9K
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Bahir Dar
Lisbon
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$99.3ETB 15.5K
$145€124
-31.73%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$10.15ETB 1,585
$20.96€17.90
-51.57%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
-
$40.05€34.21
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Bahir Dar
Lisbon
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$49.85ETB 7,780
$48.79€41.66
2.17%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$58.9ETB 9,192
$18.69€15.97
215.14%
Cinema Ticket
$6.06ETB 946
$9.06€7.74
-33.11%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Bahir Dar
Lisbon
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$50.2ETB 7,833
$607€518
-91.73%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
-
$16.3K€13.9K
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Bahir Dar
Lisbon
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$49.56ETB 7,734
$105€89.4
-52.65%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$40.95€34.97
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
-
$93.6€79.9
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$119€101
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Bahir Dar
Lisbon
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$1,604€1,370
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$1,236€1,055
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$3,046€2,601
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$2,057€1,756
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,988ETB 310.2K
$7,709€6,583
-74.21%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,511ETB 235.8K
$4,266€3,644
-64.58%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Bahir Dar
Lisbon
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$199ETB 31.1K
$1,584€1,353
-87.41%
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: April 28, 2026
Last update for Lisbon: April 26, 2026
Cost Breakdown
💰Salaries run about 694% 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 506% 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 vs Lisbon?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $551 per month in Bahir Dar and $3,341 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 $368 in Bahir Dar and $2,227 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 Lisbon?
Groceries cost about 117% 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 Lisbon?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Bahir Dar, where all-in costs run around $368, than in Lisbon at $2,227. 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 $368 versus $2,227 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 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.