🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $894 in Baia Mare versus $2,227 in Lisbon.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,405 in Baia Mare versus $3,305 in Lisbon.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,917 in Baia Mare versus $4,384 in Lisbon.
🙂Living in Baia Mare costs roughly 60% less than in Lisbon, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Baia Mare is 33% below, Lisbon is 66% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Baia Mare
Lisbon
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$9.40RON 40.91
$16.17€13.81
-41.87%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$37.34RON 162
$64.6€55.1
-42.17%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.80RON 29.56
$10.38€8.86
-34.49%
Cappuccino
$2.12RON 9.22
$2.77€2.37
-23.47%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.72RON 7.50
$2.25€1.92
-23.56%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.29RON 5.59
$1.57€1.34
-17.83%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.60RON 6.95
$3.49€2.98
-54.15%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.22RON 9.65
$4.00€3.42
-44.50%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Baia Mare
Lisbon
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.52RON 6.61
$1.08€0.93
40.74%
White Bread(500g)
$1.22RON 5.31
$1.74€1.49
-29.89%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.58RON 6.88
$1.74€1.48
-9.20%
Eggs
$3.35RON 14.59
$3.18€2.71
5.35%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.64RON 33.21
$13.43€11.47
-43.11%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.98RON 26.02
$7.99€6.83
-25.16%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.87RON 38.59
$16.09€13.74
-44.87%
Apples(1kg)
$1.22RON 5.32
$2.28€1.95
-46.49%
Banana(1kg)
$1.53RON 6.65
$1.72€1.47
-11.05%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.72RON 7.49
$1.94€1.66
-11.34%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.16RON 9.38
$2.54€2.17
-14.96%
Potato(1kg)
$0.78RON 3.38
$1.83€1.56
-57.38%
Onion(1kg)
$0.88RON 3.83
$2.04€1.74
-56.86%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.05RON 4.57
$1.98€1.69
-46.97%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.80RON 3.49
$0.85€0.73
-5.88%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.17RON 22.51
$6.85€5.85
-24.53%
Wine(Bottle)
$4.94RON 21.50
$5.78€4.93
-14.53%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.04RON 4.52
$1.37€1.17
-24.09%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.84RON 8.01
$2.90€2.48
-36.55%
🚌 Getting Around
Baia Mare
Lisbon
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.67RON 2.93
$2.28€1.95
-70.61%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$16.29RON 70.9
$46.84€40.00
-65.22%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.76RON 3.31
$4.08€3.48
-81.37%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.81RON 3.52
$0.82€0.70
-1.22%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$9.07RON 39.45
$18.27€15.60
-50.36%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.53RON 6.64
$2.01€1.71
-23.88%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.4KRON 123.8K
$35.3K€30.1K
-19.33%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.7KRON 116.0K
$38.5K€32.9K
-30.72%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Baia Mare
Lisbon
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$116RON 507
$145€124
-19.90%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$8.84RON 38.44
$20.96€17.90
-57.82%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$11.30RON 49.15
$40.05€34.21
-71.79%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Baia Mare
Lisbon
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$50.8RON 221
$48.79€41.66
4.08%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$21.02RON 91.5
$18.69€15.97
12.47%
Cinema Ticket
$6.87RON 29.88
$9.06€7.74
-24.17%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Baia Mare
Lisbon
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$424RON 1,845
$607€518
-30.09%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,879RON 29.9K
$16.3K€13.9K
-57.88%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Baia Mare
Lisbon
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$52.8RON 230
$105€89.4
-49.51%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$37.98RON 165
$40.95€34.97
-7.25%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$69.9RON 304
$93.6€79.9
-25.27%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$93.5RON 407
$119€101
-21.10%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Baia Mare
Lisbon
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$282RON 1,227
$1,604€1,370
-82.42%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$207RON 899
$1,236€1,055
-83.28%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$535RON 2,329
$3,046€2,601
-82.42%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$412RON 1,793
$2,057€1,756
-79.95%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,374RON 10.3K
$7,709€6,583
-69.21%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,632RON 7,098
$4,266€3,644
-61.76%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Baia Mare
Lisbon
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$906RON 3,940
$1,584€1,353
-42.82%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.5
3.81
70.60%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Baia Mare: April 27, 2026
Last update for Lisbon: April 26, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $282 in Baia Mare and $1,604 in Lisbon. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Lisbon pays 75% 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: $37.00 in Baia Mare vs $65.0 in Lisbon for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $196 vs $271 per month, with Baia Mare 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
Baia Mare vs Lisbon: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lisbon cheaper than Baia Mare?
Baia Mare is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Clothing & Footwear, Sport & Entertainment, Getting Around. The 149% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Baia Mare or Lisbon?
On paper, Lisbon earns 75% less. 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 Baia Mare and Lisbon?
Rent for a central apartment: $282 in Baia Mare versus $1,604 in Lisbon. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Childcare runs $424 in Baia Mare versus $607 in Lisbon. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
How do food prices compare in Baia Mare and Lisbon?
Supermarket bills run roughly 38% higher in Lisbon. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Baia Mare or Lisbon?
At $894 in Baia Mare versus $2,227 in Lisbon, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Baia Mare but tight or insufficient in Lisbon. The gap between the two cities makes Baia Mare the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Baia Mare or Lisbon more family-friendly?
For families, Baia Mare 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, Baia Mare or Lisbon?
Safety-wise, Baia Mare 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 Baia Mare gentler on the wallet – expenses run 149% less than in Lisbon. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.