Cost of Living Comparison Between Clemson, SC and Lisbon Cost of Living Comparison Between Clemson, SC and Lisbon

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,820 per month in Clemson, SC vs $2,316 in Lisbon, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,775 per month in Clemson, SC vs $3,361 in Lisbon, rent included.

A family of three spends $3,729 per month in Clemson, SC vs $4,405 in Lisbon, rent included.

Clemson, SC is about 21% cheaper than Lisbon, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.

Both Clemson, SC and Lisbon sit above the global median – Clemson, SC by 32%, Lisbon by 69%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$14.83 $14.83

$17.30 €14.87

-14.28%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$50.6 $50.6

$63.3 €54.4

-20.10%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.17 $12.17

$11.39 €9.79

6.85%

Cappuccino

$4.87 $4.87

$3.19 €2.74

52.66%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.29 $2.29

$2.45 €2.10

-6.53%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.68 $1.68

$1.76 €1.52

-4.55%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.96 $3.96

$3.59 €3.09

10.31%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.92 $5.92

$3.39 €2.92

74.63%

Milk (1 liter)

$0.83 $0.83

$1.24 €1.06

-33.06%

White Bread (500g)

$2.44 $2.44

$1.98 €1.71

23.23%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.87 $3.87

$1.52 €1.31

154.61%

Eggs

$3.35 $3.35

$4.04 €3.47

-17.08%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.08 $10.08

$13.54 €11.64

-25.55%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$11.22 $11.22

$8.39 €7.21

33.73%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.74 $8.74

$18.25 €15.69

-52.11%

Apples (1kg)

$5.16 $5.16

$2.29 €1.97

125.33%

Banana (1kg)

$1.47 $1.47

$1.74 €1.50

-15.52%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.68 $4.68

$1.86 €1.60

151.61%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.47 $4.47

$2.63 €2.26

69.96%

Potato (1kg)

$2.85 $2.85

$1.92 €1.65

48.44%

Onion (1kg)

$3.46 $3.46

$2.09 €1.80

65.55%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.01 $2.01

$1.44 €1.24

39.58%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.85 $1.85

$0.84 €0.72

120.24%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$6.84 $6.84

$6.78 €5.83

0.88%

Wine (Bottle)

$16.13 $16.13

$5.71 €4.91

182.49%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.87 $1.87

$1.38 €1.18

35.51%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.65 $2.65

$2.22 €1.91

19.37%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.40 €2.06

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$46.78 €40.22

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.96 $1.96

$4.17 €3.59

-53.00%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.57 $1.57

$1.14 €0.98

37.72%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$17.86 $17.86

$17.68 €15.20

1.02%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.78 $0.78

$2.32 €2.00

-66.38%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$29.5K $29.5K

$35.3K €30.4K

-16.53%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$25.4K $25.4K

$41.4K €35.6K

-38.81%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$277 $277

$170 €146

62.44%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$50.5 $50.5

$19.34 €16.62

161.07%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$49.37 $49.37

$33.64 €28.92

46.76%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$48.10 €41.35

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$19.90 €17.11

Cinema Ticket

$14.03 $14.03

$9.92 €8.53

41.43%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$656 $656

$717 €617

-8.56%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$22.8K $22.8K

$17.5K €15.0K

30.25%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$19.68 $19.68

$105 €90.1

-81.21%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$15.22 $15.22

$46.95 €40.36

-67.58%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$81.0 $81.0

$103 €88.9

-21.66%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$50.8 $50.8

$124 €107

-59.01%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$851 $851

$1,677 €1,441

-49.25%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$696 $696

$1,271 €1,093

-45.23%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,595 $1,595

$2,985 €2,566

-46.57%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,556 $1,556

$1,992 €1,713

-21.88%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$7,826 €6,728

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$4,658 €4,004

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,637 $3,637

$1,583 €1,361

129.78%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.1

3.79

60.95%

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

Last update for Clemson, SC: August 29, 2026

Last update for Lisbon: August 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $851 in Clemson, SC versus $1,677 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 130% higher in Clemson, SC, 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 $51.0 in Clemson, SC versus $63.0 in Lisbon. Groceries tell a different story – $342 in Clemson, SC vs $283 in Lisbon – so Lisbon wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

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

Clemson, SC vs Lisbon: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $1,820 in Clemson, SC, $2,316 in Lisbon – roughly 27% apart. Lisbon costs more across the board, with Clothing & Footwear showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,730 per month in Clemson, SC and $3,474 in Lisbon. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Clemson, SC, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,820 in Clemson, SC and $2,316 in Lisbon. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Kindergarten costs $656 per month in Clemson, SC and $717 in Lisbon. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

A $3,000 monthly budget goes further in Clemson, SC, where all-in costs run around $1,820, than in Lisbon at $2,316. In Clemson, SC it covers expenses comfortably, while in Lisbon it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

It depends on your priorities. Lisbon has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,820 in Clemson, SC to $2,316 in Lisbon. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

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.

If budget matters most, go with Clemson, SC. 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.