Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Cedar Rapids, IA and Lisbon

For one person, living is cheaper in Cedar Rapids, IA: $2,052 a month against $2,202 in Lisbon, rent and utilities included – about $1,800 less a year. Higher rent and utilities in Lisbon outweigh lower spending on other living expenses.

Cedar Rapids, IA
🇺🇸 United States
$2,052
/mo nomad
Lisbon
🇵🇹 Portugal
$2,202
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Cedar Rapids, IA and in Lisbon

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Cedar Rapids, IA and in Lisbon actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $2,052 per month in Cedar Rapids, IA vs $2,202 in Lisbon, rent included.

  • Cedar Rapids, IA $2,052
  • Lisbon $2,202

A couple spends around $3,059 per month in Cedar Rapids, IA vs $3,274 in Lisbon, rent included.

  • Cedar Rapids, IA $3,059
  • Lisbon $3,274

A family of three spends $4,066 per month in Cedar Rapids, IA vs $4,346 in Lisbon, rent included.

  • Cedar Rapids, IA $4,066
  • Lisbon $4,346

Cedar Rapids, IA is about 7% cheaper than Lisbon, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both Cedar Rapids, IA and Lisbon sit above the global median – Cedar Rapids, IA by 51%, Lisbon by 62%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Cedar Rapids, IA
Lisbon
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$14.94 $14.94
$17.04 €15.15
-12.32%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$70.2 $70.2
$62.3 €55.4
12.67%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.03 $11.03
$11.02 €9.80
0.09%
Cappuccino
$5.57 $5.57
$3.12 €2.78
78.53%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.77 $2.77
$2.27 €2.02
22.03%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.88 $1.88
$1.74 €1.55
8.05%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$4.46 $4.46
$3.42 €3.04
30.41%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.86 $5.86
$3.74 €3.33
56.68%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cedar Rapids, IA
Lisbon
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.69 $0.69
$1.17 €1.04
-41.03%
White Bread (500g)
$2.53 $2.53
$1.86 €1.66
36.02%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.61 $4.61
$1.54 €1.37
199.35%
Eggs
$2.49 $2.49
$4.06 €3.61
-38.67%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$14.26 $14.26
$12.91 €11.49
10.46%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$11.00 $11.00
$7.90 €7.03
39.24%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$16.46 $16.46
$17.64 €15.69
-6.69%
Apples (1kg)
$4.85 $4.85
$2.26 €2.01
114.60%
Banana (1kg)
$1.15 $1.15
$1.75 €1.55
-34.29%
Oranges (1kg)
$5.41 $5.41
$1.89 €1.68
186.24%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.79 $4.79
$2.56 €2.27
87.11%
Potato (1kg)
$2.61 $2.61
$1.85 €1.64
41.08%
Onion (1kg)
$2.27 $2.27
$1.97 €1.75
15.23%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.96 $1.96
$1.45 €1.29
35.17%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.18 $2.18
$0.77 €0.69
183.12%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$9.85 $9.85
$6.71 €5.97
46.80%
Wine (Bottle)
$11.17 $11.17
$5.67 €5.04
97.00%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.18 $2.18
$1.37 €1.22
59.12%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.25 $3.25
$2.11 €1.88
54.03%
🚌 Getting Around
Cedar Rapids, IA
Lisbon
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.71 $1.71
$2.32 €2.07
-26.29%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$30.04 $30.04
$44.43 €39.52
-32.39%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.59 $3.59
$3.95 €3.51
-9.11%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.81 $1.81
$1.05 €0.93
72.38%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$44.81 $44.81
$17.15 €15.26
161.28%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.90 $0.90
$2.19 €1.95
-58.90%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.0K $28.0K
$33.8K €30.0K
-17.20%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.3K $27.3K
$38.3K €34.0K
-28.68%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cedar Rapids, IA
Lisbon
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$206 $206
$164 €146
25.58%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$52.5 $52.5
$18.48 €16.43
183.93%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$70.1 $70.1
$32.96 €29.32
112.65%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cedar Rapids, IA
Lisbon
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$99.6 $99.6
$45.87 €40.80
117.09%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.14 $19.14
$18.68 €16.61
2.46%
Cinema Ticket
$13.11 $13.11
$9.75 €8.67
34.46%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cedar Rapids, IA
Lisbon
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$863 $863
$684 €608
26.21%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$12.8K $12.8K
$17.6K €15.7K
-27.27%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cedar Rapids, IA
Lisbon
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$63.2 $63.2
$104 €92.3
-39.11%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$63.9 $63.9
$46.20 €41.09
38.35%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$127 $127
$99.7 €88.7
27.41%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$151 $151
$125 €111
21.17%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cedar Rapids, IA
Lisbon
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,174 $1,174
$1,589 €1,414
-26.13%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$724 $724
$1,169 €1,040
-38.10%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,612 $1,612
$2,851 €2,536
-43.46%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,164 $1,164
$1,993 €1,773
-41.60%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,662 $1,662
$7,793 €6,932
-78.67%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,515 $1,515
$4,418 €3,930
-65.72%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cedar Rapids, IA
Lisbon
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,610 $3,610
$1,600 €1,423
125.62%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.63
3.85
72.21%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Cedar Rapids, IA: October 18, 2026

Last update for Lisbon: October 19, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Cedar Rapids, IA
$724
Lisbon
$1.2K 61.6% $445
Groceries & Markets
Cedar Rapids, IA
$371
Lisbon
$273 26.3% $98
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cedar Rapids, IA
$328
Lisbon
$215 34.4% $113
Eating Out
Cedar Rapids, IA
$272
Lisbon
$247 9.1% $25
Clothing & Footwear
Cedar Rapids, IA
$182
Lisbon
$168 7.6% $14
Sport & Entertainment
Cedar Rapids, IA
$126
Lisbon
$65 48% $60
Getting Around
Cedar Rapids, IA
$50
Lisbon
$63 27% $13

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,174 in Cedar Rapids, IA versus $1,589 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 126% higher in Cedar Rapids, IA, 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 $70.0 in Cedar Rapids, IA versus $62.0 in Lisbon. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $371 vs $273 – making Lisbon the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇺🇸 Cedar Rapids, IA
🇵🇹 Lisbon
🕒 Local time
06:37 6:37 AM
12:37 12:37 PM
6 h ahead of Cedar Rapids, IA
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
137,710
545,923 Capital
💱 Currency
Euro EUR €
Exchange rates and currency converter

EUR to USD – United States Dollar Converter

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 20, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

Euro exchange rates as of October 20, 2026: 1 USD = 0.889 EUR (1 EUR = 1.12 USD).

On the map
Between locations
  • Cedar Rapids, IA Lisbon 6,720 km ≈ 9 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Cedar Rapids, IA
  • Lisbon

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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
Cedar Rapids, IA vs Lisbon: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lisbon cheaper than Cedar Rapids, IA?
Yes – Lisbon is pricier by about 7%, and outside of rent the gap shows up most in groceries.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,078 per month in Cedar Rapids, IA and $3,302 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 Cedar Rapids, IA, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do food prices compare in Cedar Rapids, IA and in Lisbon?
Interestingly, groceries are about 36% cheaper in Lisbon – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
Is eating out cheaper in Cedar Rapids, IA or in Lisbon?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $70.0 in Cedar Rapids, IA and $62.0 in Lisbon. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Is $2,500 a realistic budget for living in Cedar Rapids, IA or in Lisbon?
A $2,500 monthly budget goes further in Cedar Rapids, IA, where all-in costs run around $2,052, than in Lisbon at $2,202. In Cedar Rapids, IA it covers expenses comfortably, while in Lisbon it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Cedar Rapids, IA or Lisbon more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Cedar Rapids, IA – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Cedar Rapids, IA 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 Cedar Rapids, IA. 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.

Cedar Rapids, IA vs other spots: cost of living compared

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