πA single person spends $4,831 per month in Hamilton vs $2,210 in Lisbon, rent included.
πA couple spends around $9,260 per month in Hamilton vs $3,311 in Lisbon, rent included.
πA family of three spends $13.7K per month in Hamilton vs $4,411 in Lisbon, rent included.
πHamilton costs about 119% more than Lisbon, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πBoth Hamilton and Lisbon sit above the global median β Hamilton by 261%, Lisbon by 65%.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Hamilton
Lisbon
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$60.6BMDΒ 60.6
$15.91β¬13.69
280.96%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$177BMDΒ 177
$64.8β¬55.7
173.37%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$14.87BMDΒ 14.87
$10.51β¬9.04
41.48%
Cappuccino
$6.46BMDΒ 6.46
$2.87β¬2.47
125.09%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.37BMDΒ 3.37
$2.24β¬1.93
50.45%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.90BMDΒ 2.90
$1.50β¬1.29
93.33%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$10.16BMDΒ 10.16
$3.49β¬3.00
191.12%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$8.44BMDΒ 8.44
$3.88β¬3.34
117.53%
π Groceries & Markets
Hamilton
Lisbon
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$4.38BMDΒ 4.38
$1.14β¬0.98
284.21%
White Bread(500g)
$8.71BMDΒ 8.71
$1.75β¬1.51
397.71%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$5.59BMDΒ 5.59
$1.76β¬1.51
217.61%
Eggs
$7.75BMDΒ 7.75
$3.22β¬2.77
140.68%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$11.49BMDΒ 11.49
$13.49β¬11.61
-14.83%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$24.12BMDΒ 24.12
$7.91β¬6.81
204.93%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$31.75BMDΒ 31.75
$15.87β¬13.65
100.06%
Apples(1kg)
$10.16BMDΒ 10.16
$2.31β¬1.99
339.83%
Banana(1kg)
$6.18BMDΒ 6.18
$1.70β¬1.46
263.53%
Oranges(1kg)
$12.86BMDΒ 12.86
$2.01β¬1.73
539.80%
Tomato(1kg)
$11.27BMDΒ 11.27
$2.46β¬2.12
358.13%
Potato(1kg)
$8.15BMDΒ 8.15
$1.84β¬1.59
342.93%
Onion(1kg)
$4.96BMDΒ 4.96
$2.00β¬1.72
148.00%
Lettuce(1 head)
$6.06BMDΒ 6.06
$1.93β¬1.66
213.99%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$3.21BMDΒ 3.21
$0.79β¬0.68
306.33%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$17.58BMDΒ 17.58
$6.61β¬5.68
165.96%
Wine(Bottle)
$24.56BMDΒ 24.56
$5.72β¬4.92
329.37%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$5.47BMDΒ 5.47
$1.37β¬1.17
299.27%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.43BMDΒ 4.43
$2.97β¬2.56
49.16%
π Getting Around
Hamilton
Lisbon
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$4.81BMDΒ 4.81
$2.37β¬2.04
102.95%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$68.1BMDΒ 68.1
$45.56β¬39.19
49.56%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$6.40BMDΒ 6.40
$4.29β¬3.69
49.18%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$3.44BMDΒ 3.44
$0.82β¬0.70
319.51%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$54.8BMDΒ 54.8
$18.30β¬15.74
199.51%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.36BMDΒ 2.36
$2.06β¬1.78
14.56%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.0KBMDΒ 35.0K
$34.3Kβ¬29.5K
2.19%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$39.7KBMDΒ 39.7K
$39.3Kβ¬33.8K
1.13%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Hamilton
Lisbon
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$234BMDΒ 234
$148β¬127
58.44%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$117BMDΒ 117
$20.52β¬17.65
472.32%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$156BMDΒ 156
$39.61β¬34.08
293.46%
π Sport & Entertainment
Hamilton
Lisbon
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$191BMDΒ 191
$47.85β¬41.16
299.67%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$32.31BMDΒ 32.31
$18.92β¬16.28
70.77%
Cinema Ticket
$13.73BMDΒ 13.73
$9.18β¬7.90
49.56%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Hamilton
Lisbon
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,338BMDΒ 1,338
$614β¬528
117.95%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$24.5KBMDΒ 24.5K
$16.0Kβ¬13.8K
52.78%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Hamilton
Lisbon
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$78.8BMDΒ 78.8
$105β¬90.0
-24.67%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$60.9BMDΒ 60.9
$42.06β¬36.18
44.86%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$138BMDΒ 138
$94.0β¬80.8
46.69%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$126BMDΒ 126
$120β¬103
4.89%
π Accommodation & Living
Hamilton
Lisbon
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,342BMDΒ 3,342
$1,628β¬1,400
105.30%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,198BMDΒ 2,198
$1,255β¬1,080
75.14%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$8,541BMDΒ 8,541
$3,030β¬2,607
181.85%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$7,359BMDΒ 7,359
$2,020β¬1,738
264.25%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$15.1KBMDΒ 15.1K
$7,800β¬6,709
92.98%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$9,439BMDΒ 9,439
$4,273β¬3,675
120.92%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Hamilton
Lisbon
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$6,759BMDΒ 6,759
$1,603β¬1,379
321.51%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
7.22
3.81
89.50%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Hamilton: June 1, 2026
Last update for Lisbon: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $3,342 in Hamilton versus $1,628 in Lisbon. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
π°Salaries run about 322% higher in Hamilton, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $177 in Hamilton versus $65.0 in Lisbon. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $813 vs $269 β making Lisbon the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
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
Hamilton vs Lisbon: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Hamilton and Lisbon compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $4,831 in Hamilton, $2,210 in Lisbon β roughly 119% apart. Hamilton costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Hamilton compared to Lisbon?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $7,247 per month in Hamilton and $3,315 in Lisbon. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Hamilton and Lisbon?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Lisbon, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city is more expensive overall: Hamilton or Lisbon?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $4,831 in Hamilton and $2,210 in Lisbon. The difference isn't just one category β it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Which city is feasible on a $3,000 budget?
$3,000 is a stretch for both β monthly costs hit $4,831 in Hamilton and $2,210 in Lisbon. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.
How does quality of life compare between Hamilton and Lisbon?
It depends on your priorities. Hamilton has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $2,210 in Lisbon to $4,831 in Hamilton. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Hamilton or Lisbon safer for residents?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison β central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
How do I decide between Hamilton and Lisbon?
If budget matters most, go with Lisbon. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Hamilton makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.