๐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,356 in Kaลกtela versus $2,263 in Lisbon.
๐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,132 in Kaลกtela versus $3,315 in Lisbon.
๐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,908 in Kaลกtela versus $4,368 in Lisbon.
๐Living in Kaลกtela costs roughly 40% less than in Lisbon, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
๐Both cities are pricier than the global median: Kaลกtela1% above, Lisbon68% above.
Currency
๐ฝ Eating Out
Kaลกtela
Lisbon
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$16.04โฌ13.82
$15.94โฌ13.73
0.63%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$80.8โฌ69.6
$63.4โฌ54.6
27.46%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.12โฌ7.86
$10.38โฌ8.95
-12.14%
Cappuccino
$2.89โฌ2.49
$2.79โฌ2.40
3.58%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.40โฌ2.93
$2.34โฌ2.01
45.30%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.53โฌ2.18
$1.57โฌ1.35
61.15%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$4.51โฌ3.89
$3.43โฌ2.95
31.49%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.81โฌ3.28
$3.91โฌ3.37
-2.56%
๐ Groceries & Markets
Kaลกtela
Lisbon
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.38โฌ1.19
$1.08โฌ0.93
27.78%
White Bread(500g)
$1.57โฌ1.36
$1.77โฌ1.52
-11.30%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.12โฌ2.69
$1.71โฌ1.47
82.46%
Eggs
$3.92โฌ3.38
$3.15โฌ2.71
24.44%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.05โฌ8.66
$13.68โฌ11.79
-26.54%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$9.40โฌ8.10
$8.01โฌ6.90
17.35%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.85โฌ11.07
$15.52โฌ13.37
-17.20%
Apples(1kg)
$1.79โฌ1.54
$2.29โฌ1.98
-21.83%
Banana(1kg)
$1.70โฌ1.46
$1.64โฌ1.41
3.66%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.16โฌ1.86
$1.94โฌ1.67
11.34%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.27โฌ1.96
$2.51โฌ2.17
-9.56%
Potato(1kg)
$1.53โฌ1.32
$1.79โฌ1.54
-14.53%
Onion(1kg)
$1.40โฌ1.20
$2.01โฌ1.73
-30.35%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.36โฌ1.17
$1.97โฌ1.69
-30.96%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.25โฌ1.08
$0.84โฌ0.73
48.81%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.85โฌ5.04
$6.79โฌ5.85
-13.84%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.51โฌ6.47
$5.67โฌ4.89
32.45%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.34โฌ1.15
$1.39โฌ1.20
-3.60%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.13โฌ0.97
$3.02โฌ2.60
-62.58%
๐ Getting Around
Kaลกtela
Lisbon
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.36โฌ2.03
$2.27โฌ1.95
3.96%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$37.44โฌ32.26
$45.44โฌ39.15
-17.61%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.54โฌ3.05
$4.29โฌ3.70
-17.48%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.12โฌ1.83
$0.85โฌ0.73
149.41%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$9.03โฌ7.78
$18.28โฌ15.75
-50.60%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.79โฌ1.54
$1.99โฌ1.71
-10.05%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$38.4Kโฌ33.1K
$35.0Kโฌ30.2K
9.74%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.6Kโฌ22.9K
$39.5Kโฌ34.1K
-32.86%
๐งพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Kaลกtela
Lisbon
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$183โฌ158
$146โฌ126
25.40%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$23.81โฌ20.52
$20.45โฌ17.62
16.43%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$25.04โฌ21.57
$38.98โฌ33.58
-35.76%
๐ Sport & Entertainment
Kaลกtela
Lisbon
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$58.5โฌ50.4
$48.98โฌ42.21
19.38%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$14.43โฌ12.44
$18.83โฌ16.22
-23.37%
Cinema Ticket
$9.35โฌ8.06
$9.52โฌ8.21
-1.79%
๐งธ Childcare & Education
Kaลกtela
Lisbon
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$188โฌ162
$608โฌ524
-69.09%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,363โฌ1,174
$16.5Kโฌ14.2K
-91.75%
๐๐ Clothing & Footwear
Kaลกtela
Lisbon
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$82.4โฌ71.0
$104โฌ89.5
-20.65%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$28.53โฌ24.58
$42.12โฌ36.29
-32.26%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$109โฌ93.5
$92.2โฌ79.5
17.70%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$106โฌ91.2
$120โฌ103
-11.83%
๐ Accommodation & Living
Kaลกtela
Lisbon
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$483โฌ416
$1,621โฌ1,397
-70.22%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$341โฌ293
$1,268โฌ1,092
-73.14%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$603โฌ519
$3,048โฌ2,626
-80.23%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$551โฌ475
$2,009โฌ1,731
-72.56%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,400โฌ2,929
$7,663โฌ6,602
-55.63%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,500โฌ2,154
$4,329โฌ3,730
-42.25%
๐ต Salaries & Financials
Kaลกtela
Lisbon
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$888โฌ765
$1,585โฌ1,366
-43.99%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.35
3.81
14.17%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input โ minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Kaลกtela: June 8, 2026
Last update for Lisbon: June 8, 2026
Cost Breakdown
๐ A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $483 in Kaลกtela and $1,621 in Lisbon. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
๐ฐLisbon pays 79% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
๐Dining out: $81.0 in Kaลกtela vs $63.0 in Lisbon. Groceries flip the comparison at $264 vs $269, with Kaลกtela cheaper for home cooking.
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
Kaลกtela vs Lisbon: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Kaลกtela and Lisbon?
Kaลกtela and Lisbon differ by about 67% in total monthly costs ($1,356 vs $2,263 including rent). Kaลกtela is meaningfully more affordable โ a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, Lisbon earns 79% 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 Kaลกtela and Lisbon?
Rent for a central apartment: $483 in Kaลกtela versus $1,621 in Lisbon. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do commuting costs compare in Kaลกtela and Lisbon?
A monthly transit pass in Kaลกtela runs roughly 21% less than in Lisbon. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Kaลกtela and Lisbon?
Childcare runs $188 in Kaลกtela versus $608 in Lisbon. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $1,356 in Kaลกtela versus $2,263 in Lisbon, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Kaลกtela but tight or insufficient in Lisbon. The gap between the two cities makes Kaลกtela the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Kaลกtela and Lisbon?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better โ the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Kaลกtela or Lisbon safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Kaลกtela 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: Kaลกtela or Lisbon?
Expats usually find Kaลกtela gentler on the wallet โ expenses run 67% less than in Lisbon. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.