😐A single person spends $2,210 per month in Lisbon vs $1,331 in Abu Halifa, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $3,311 per month in Lisbon vs $2,133 in Abu Halifa, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $4,411 per month in Lisbon vs $2,935 in Abu Halifa, rent included.
😐Lisbon costs about 66% more than Abu Halifa, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Lisbon sits 65% above the global median, while Abu Halifa is 1% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Lisbon
Abu Halifa
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$15.91€13.69
$6.36KWD 1.95
150.16%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$64.8€55.7
$27.31KWD 8.38
137.17%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.51€9.04
$8.19KWD 2.51
28.33%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$2.39KWD 0.73
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.26KWD 0.69
-
Cappuccino
$2.87€2.47
$6.02KWD 1.85
-52.33%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.24€1.93
$0.70KWD 0.22
220.00%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.50€1.29
$0.34KWD 0.11
341.18%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.49€3.00
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.88€3.34
-
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lisbon
Abu Halifa
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.14€0.98
$1.55KWD 0.47
-26.45%
White Bread(500g)
$1.75€1.51
$0.93KWD 0.29
88.17%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.76€1.51
$1.72KWD 0.53
2.33%
Eggs
$3.22€2.77
$2.08KWD 0.64
54.81%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.49€11.61
$3.35KWD 1.03
302.69%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.91€6.81
$6.52KWD 2.00
21.32%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.87€13.65
$9.62KWD 2.95
64.97%
Apples(1kg)
$2.31€1.99
$2.33KWD 0.71
-0.86%
Banana(1kg)
$1.70€1.46
$1.95KWD 0.60
-12.82%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.01€1.73
$0.94KWD 0.29
113.83%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.46€2.12
$0.62KWD 0.19
296.77%
Potato(1kg)
$1.84€1.59
$0.94KWD 0.29
95.74%
Onion(1kg)
$2.00€1.72
$0.66KWD 0.20
203.03%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.93€1.66
$1.66KWD 0.51
16.27%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.79€0.68
$0.49KWD 0.15
61.22%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
-
$3.20KWD 0.98
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.02KWD 0.31
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$1.39KWD 0.43
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.61€5.68
$2.95KWD 0.90
124.07%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.72€4.92
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.37€1.17
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.97€2.56
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Lisbon
Abu Halifa
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.37€2.04
$0.82KWD 0.25
189.02%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$45.56€39.19
$43.50KWD 13.34
4.74%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.29€3.69
$3.35KWD 1.03
28.06%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.82€0.70
$3.21KWD 0.98
-74.45%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$18.30€15.74
$16.18KWD 4.96
13.10%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.06€1.78
$0.34KWD 0.10
505.88%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.3K€29.5K
$21.0KKWD 6,439
63.27%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$39.3K€33.8K
$20.2KKWD 6,183
94.90%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lisbon
Abu Halifa
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$148€127
$63.3KWD 19.41
133.60%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$20.52€17.65
$16.09KWD 4.94
27.53%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$39.61€34.08
$16.52KWD 5.07
139.77%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lisbon
Abu Halifa
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$47.85€41.16
$96.8KWD 29.68
-50.55%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.92€16.28
$47.20KWD 14.47
-59.92%
Cinema Ticket
$9.18€7.90
$11.22KWD 3.44
-18.18%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lisbon
Abu Halifa
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$614€528
$409KWD 126
50.01%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$16.0K€13.8K
$5,798KWD 1,778
176.81%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lisbon
Abu Halifa
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$105€90.0
$41.93KWD 12.86
149.61%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.06€36.18
$43.22KWD 13.26
-2.68%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$94.0€80.8
$86.9KWD 26.65
8.14%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$120€103
$82.1KWD 25.17
45.82%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lisbon
Abu Halifa
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,628€1,400
$783KWD 240
107.83%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,255€1,080
$619KWD 190
102.79%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,030€2,607
$1,553KWD 476
95.15%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,020€1,738
$1,284KWD 394
57.39%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,800€6,709
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,273€3,675
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Lisbon
Abu Halifa
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,603€1,379
$5,221KWD 1,601
-69.29%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.81
5
-23.80%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Lisbon: June 1, 2026
Last update for Abu Halifa: June 2, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $1,628 in Lisbon versus $783 in Abu Halifa. 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 226% higher in Abu Halifa, 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 $65.0 in Lisbon versus $27.00 in Abu Halifa. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $269 vs $158 – making Abu Halifa 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
Lisbon vs Abu Halifa: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Abu Halifa cheaper than Lisbon?
Yes – Lisbon is pricier by about 66%, and the gap shows up most in Groceries & Markets. 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 $3,315 per month in Lisbon and $1,997 in Abu Halifa. 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 Abu Halifa, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Is eating out cheaper in Lisbon or Abu Halifa?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $65.0 in Lisbon and $27.00 in Abu Halifa. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
What are total monthly expenses in Lisbon vs Abu Halifa?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $2,210 in Lisbon and $1,331 in Abu Halifa. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Lisbon or Abu Halifa?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Abu Halifa, where all-in costs run around $1,331, than in Lisbon at $2,210. In Abu Halifa it covers expenses comfortably, while in Lisbon it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Lisbon or Abu Halifa more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Abu Halifa – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Lisbon or Abu Halifa?
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 Abu Halifa. 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.