πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,024 in Botosani versus $2,227 in Lisbon.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,541 in Botosani versus $3,305 in Lisbon.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,059 in Botosani versus $4,384 in Lisbon.
πLiving in Botosani costs roughly 54% less than in Lisbon, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πThe two cities straddle the global median: Botosani is 24% below, Lisbon is 66% above.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Botosani
Lisbon
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.42RONΒ 54.0
$16.17β¬13.81
-23.19%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$30.60RONΒ 133
$64.6β¬55.1
-52.61%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.95RONΒ 34.59
$10.38β¬8.86
-23.41%
Cappuccino
$2.60RONΒ 11.29
$2.77β¬2.37
-6.14%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.49RONΒ 6.46
$2.25β¬1.92
-33.78%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.35RONΒ 5.89
$1.57β¬1.34
-14.01%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.08RONΒ 9.06
$3.49β¬2.98
-40.40%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.59RONΒ 11.27
$4.00β¬3.42
-35.25%
π Groceries & Markets
Botosani
Lisbon
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.47RONΒ 6.37
$1.08β¬0.93
36.11%
White Bread(500g)
$1.28RONΒ 5.58
$1.74β¬1.49
-26.44%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.58RONΒ 6.87
$1.74β¬1.48
-9.20%
Eggs
$3.29RONΒ 14.30
$3.18β¬2.71
3.46%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.85RONΒ 38.50
$13.43β¬11.47
-34.10%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.92RONΒ 30.09
$7.99β¬6.83
-13.39%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.93RONΒ 43.18
$16.09β¬13.74
-38.28%
Apples(1kg)
$1.13RONΒ 4.90
$2.28β¬1.95
-50.44%
Banana(1kg)
$1.43RONΒ 6.22
$1.72β¬1.47
-16.86%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.42RONΒ 6.16
$1.94β¬1.66
-26.80%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.40RONΒ 10.44
$2.54β¬2.17
-5.51%
Potato(1kg)
$0.97RONΒ 4.21
$1.83β¬1.56
-46.99%
Onion(1kg)
$1.06RONΒ 4.63
$2.04β¬1.74
-48.04%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.72RONΒ 3.14
$1.98β¬1.69
-63.64%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.79RONΒ 3.44
$0.85β¬0.73
-7.06%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.80RONΒ 25.23
$6.85β¬5.85
-15.33%
Wine(Bottle)
$6.93RONΒ 30.13
$5.78β¬4.93
19.90%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.08RONΒ 4.71
$1.37β¬1.17
-21.17%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.65RONΒ 7.19
$2.90β¬2.48
-43.10%
π Getting Around
Botosani
Lisbon
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.71RONΒ 3.09
$2.28β¬1.95
-68.86%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$28.14RONΒ 122
$46.84β¬40.00
-39.92%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.70RONΒ 3.05
$4.08β¬3.48
-82.84%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.72RONΒ 3.11
$0.82β¬0.70
-12.20%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.02RONΒ 30.54
$18.27β¬15.60
-61.58%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.57RONΒ 6.83
$2.01β¬1.71
-21.89%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.5KRONΒ 123.8K
$35.3Kβ¬30.1K
-19.27%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.3KRONΒ 118.9K
$38.5Kβ¬32.9K
-28.96%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Botosani
Lisbon
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$166RONΒ 724
$145β¬124
14.50%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$8.13RONΒ 35.35
$20.96β¬17.90
-61.21%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$9.23RONΒ 40.16
$40.05β¬34.21
-76.95%
π Sport & Entertainment
Botosani
Lisbon
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$34.09RONΒ 148
$48.79β¬41.66
-30.13%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$26.85RONΒ 117
$18.69β¬15.97
43.66%
Cinema Ticket
$5.88RONΒ 25.60
$9.06β¬7.74
-35.10%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Botosani
Lisbon
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$343RONΒ 1,493
$607β¬518
-43.42%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,539RONΒ 28.4K
$16.3Kβ¬13.9K
-59.96%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Botosani
Lisbon
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$48.97RONΒ 213
$105β¬89.4
-53.21%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$34.71RONΒ 151
$40.95β¬34.97
-15.24%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$70.0RONΒ 305
$93.6β¬79.9
-25.20%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$72.0RONΒ 313
$119β¬101
-39.29%
π Accommodation & Living
Botosani
Lisbon
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$396RONΒ 1,723
$1,604β¬1,370
-75.31%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$291RONΒ 1,264
$1,236β¬1,055
-76.48%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$512RONΒ 2,225
$3,046β¬2,601
-83.21%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$428RONΒ 1,860
$2,057β¬1,756
-79.21%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,491RONΒ 6,486
$7,709β¬6,583
-80.66%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,090RONΒ 4,743
$4,266β¬3,644
-74.44%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Botosani
Lisbon
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,024RONΒ 4,452
$1,584β¬1,353
-35.39%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.25
3.81
64.04%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Botosani: April 26, 2026
Last update for Lisbon: April 26, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $396 in Botosani and $1,604 in Lisbon. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°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.
πDining out: $31.00 in Botosani vs $65.0 in Lisbon for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $210 vs $271 per month, with Botosani 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
Botosani vs Lisbon: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Botosani and Lisbon?
Botosani and Lisbon differ by about 117% in total monthly costs ($1,024 vs $2,227 including rent). Botosani is meaningfully more affordable β a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, Lisbon earns 55% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do apartment prices compare in Botosani and Lisbon?
Rent for a central apartment: $396 in Botosani versus $1,604 in Lisbon. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Botosani and Lisbon?
Childcare runs $343 in Botosani versus $607 in Lisbon. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Supermarket bills run roughly 29% higher in Lisbon. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $1,024 in Botosani versus $2,227 in Lisbon, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Botosani but tight or insufficient in Lisbon. The gap between the two cities makes Botosani the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Botosani and Lisbon?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better β the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Botosani or Lisbon safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Botosani 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.
Where should expats move: Botosani or Lisbon?
Expats usually find Botosani gentler on the wallet β expenses run 117% less than in Lisbon. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.