Cost of Living Comparison Between Kuantan and LisbonCost of Living Comparison Between Kuantan and Lisbon
Monthly Cost of Living
🙂A single person spends $844 per month in Kuantan vs $2,296 in Lisbon, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $1,245 per month in Kuantan vs $3,376 in Lisbon, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $1,646 per month in Kuantan vs $4,457 in Lisbon, rent included.
🙂Kuantan is about 63% cheaper than Lisbon, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Kuantan sits 38% below the global median, while Lisbon is 68% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Kuantan
Lisbon
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.40MYR 9.83
$17.59€15.32
-86.36%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$12.37MYR 50.6
$62.9€54.8
-80.32%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.62MYR 14.81
$11.58€10.09
-68.74%
Cappuccino
$2.83MYR 11.58
$3.10€2.70
-8.71%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.72MYR 2.95
$2.49€2.17
-71.08%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.44MYR 1.81
$1.74€1.52
-74.71%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.77MYR 11.35
$3.48€3.03
-20.40%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.61MYR 22.95
$3.44€3.00
63.08%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Kuantan
Lisbon
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.62MYR 6.62
$1.15€1.00
40.87%
White Bread(500g)
$0.83MYR 3.38
$1.91€1.66
-56.54%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.49MYR 6.09
$1.50€1.31
-0.67%
Eggs
$1.34MYR 5.50
$3.98€3.47
-66.33%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.89MYR 40.49
$13.29€11.58
-25.58%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.24MYR 13.24
$8.01€6.98
-59.55%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$4.38MYR 17.94
$18.04€15.72
-75.72%
Apples(1kg)
$2.90MYR 11.85
$2.35€2.05
23.40%
Banana(1kg)
$1.88MYR 7.71
$1.75€1.52
7.43%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.69MYR 11.02
$1.85€1.62
45.41%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.76MYR 7.20
$2.55€2.22
-30.98%
Potato(1kg)
$1.76MYR 7.18
$1.84€1.61
-4.35%
Onion(1kg)
$1.98MYR 8.10
$2.10€1.83
-5.71%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.71MYR 2.91
$1.49€1.29
-52.35%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.55MYR 2.26
$0.82€0.71
-32.93%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.31MYR 17.64
$7.10€6.18
-39.30%
Wine(Bottle)
$19.24MYR 78.8
$5.91€5.15
225.55%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.93MYR 7.90
$1.31€1.15
47.33%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.00MYR 8.20
$2.13€1.86
-6.10%
🚌 Getting Around
Kuantan
Lisbon
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.47MYR 1.91
$2.36€2.05
-80.08%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$12.27MYR 50.2
$46.62€40.61
-73.68%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.13MYR 4.63
$4.08€3.55
-72.30%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.39MYR 1.59
$1.14€0.99
-65.79%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$9.26MYR 37.91
$17.09€14.89
-45.82%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.48MYR 1.96
$2.31€2.01
-79.22%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.7KMYR 141.9K
$34.1K€29.7K
1.60%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$33.4KMYR 136.6K
$41.4K€36.0K
-19.33%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Kuantan
Lisbon
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$48.65MYR 199
$169€147
-71.14%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$8.18MYR 33.47
$19.33€16.84
-57.68%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.98MYR 102
$33.51€29.20
-25.46%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Kuantan
Lisbon
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$40.04MYR 164
$48.84€42.55
-18.02%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.00MYR 24.56
$19.43€16.93
-69.12%
Cinema Ticket
$4.57MYR 18.71
$9.57€8.34
-52.25%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Kuantan
Lisbon
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$279MYR 1,142
$696€606
-59.91%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$10.5KMYR 42.9K
$17.4K€15.1K
-39.63%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Kuantan
Lisbon
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$51.5MYR 211
$105€91.7
-51.09%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$30.18MYR 124
$47.75€41.60
-36.80%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$49.67MYR 203
$101€87.6
-50.59%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$49.06MYR 201
$124€108
-60.58%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Kuantan
Lisbon
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$418MYR 1,711
$1,662€1,448
-74.85%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$319MYR 1,306
$1,246€1,086
-74.40%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$688MYR 2,816
$2,965€2,583
-76.79%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$484MYR 1,981
$2,049€1,785
-76.38%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,086MYR 8,537
$7,834€6,825
-73.37%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,132MYR 4,634
$4,464€3,889
-74.64%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Kuantan
Lisbon
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$999MYR 4,091
$1,632€1,421
-38.74%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.15
3.78
9.79%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Kuantan: September 12, 2026
Last update for Lisbon: September 12, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $418 in Kuantan versus $1,662 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 63% higher in Lisbon, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $12.00 in Kuantan versus $63.0 in Lisbon. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $211 vs $277 – making Kuantan 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
Kuantan vs Lisbon: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lisbon cheaper than Kuantan?
Yes – Lisbon is pricier by about 172%, and the gap shows up most in Eating Out. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,266 per month in Kuantan and $3,444 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 Kuantan, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Kindergarten costs $279 per month in Kuantan and $696 in Lisbon. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
How do food prices compare in Kuantan and in Lisbon?
Groceries cost about 31% more in Lisbon, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Kuantan or in Lisbon?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Kuantan, where all-in costs run around $844, than in Lisbon at $2,296. In Kuantan it covers expenses comfortably, while in Lisbon it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Kuantan or Lisbon more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Kuantan – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Kuantan 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 Kuantan. 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.