😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,227 in Lisbon versus $61.8 in Al Budayyi.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,305 in Lisbon versus $71.0 in Al Budayyi.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,384 in Lisbon versus $80.6 in Al Budayyi.
😐Living in Lisbon is roughly 3502% more expensive than Al Budayyi, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Lisbon is 66% above, Al Budayyi is 95% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Lisbon
Al Budayyi
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$16.17€13.84
-
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Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$64.6€55.3
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Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.38€8.88
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Cappuccino
$2.77€2.37
-
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.25€1.92
-
-
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.57€1.35
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-
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.49€2.99
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.00€3.43
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🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lisbon
Al Budayyi
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.08€0.93
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-
White Bread(500g)
$1.74€1.49
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-
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.74€1.49
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-
Eggs
$3.18€2.72
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Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.43€11.50
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-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.99€6.84
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-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$16.09€13.77
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Apples(1kg)
$2.28€1.95
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Banana(1kg)
$1.72€1.48
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-
Oranges(1kg)
$1.94€1.66
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Tomato(1kg)
$2.54€2.18
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Potato(1kg)
$1.83€1.57
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Onion(1kg)
$2.04€1.75
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Lettuce(1 head)
$1.98€1.69
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-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.85€0.73
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Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.85€5.87
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Wine(Bottle)
$5.78€4.94
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-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.37€1.18
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Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.90€2.48
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🚌 Getting Around
Lisbon
Al Budayyi
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.28€1.95
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$46.84€40.10
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-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.08€3.49
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Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.82€0.70
-
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Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$18.27€15.64
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Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.01€1.72
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-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.3K€30.2K
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Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$38.5K€32.9K
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-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lisbon
Al Budayyi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$145€124
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-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$20.96€17.94
$19.84BHD 7.46
5.65%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$40.05€34.29
$41.53BHD 15.62
-3.56%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lisbon
Al Budayyi
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$48.79€41.76
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-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.69€16.00
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Cinema Ticket
$9.06€7.76
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🧸 Childcare & Education
Lisbon
Al Budayyi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$607€519
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-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$16.3K€14.0K
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👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lisbon
Al Budayyi
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$105€89.6
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-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$40.95€35.06
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-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$93.6€80.1
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Men's Leather Business Shoes
$119€101
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🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lisbon
Al Budayyi
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,604€1,373
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-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,236€1,058
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3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,046€2,607
-
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3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,057€1,761
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-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,709€6,599
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-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,266€3,652
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💵 Salaries & Financials
Lisbon
Al Budayyi
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,584€1,356
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.81
0
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CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Lisbon: April 26, 2026
Last update for Al Budayyi: April 26, 2026
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 Al Budayyi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Lisbon or Al Budayyi?
Al Budayyi wins on cost – living expenses run 3502% lower than in Lisbon. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Al Budayyi the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Lisbon vs Al Budayyi?
You'd need roughly $3,341 in Lisbon and $92.7 in Al Budayyi to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Lisbon or Al Budayyi?
At $61.8 in Al Budayyi versus $2,227 in Lisbon, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Al Budayyi but tight or insufficient in Lisbon. The gap between the two cities makes Al Budayyi the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Lisbon or Al Budayyi?
Both work as nomad bases, but Al Budayyi delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $61.8 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Al Budayyi hard to pass up.
How safe is Lisbon compared to Al Budayyi?
Safety-wise, Lisbon and Al Budayyi are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Al Budayyi gentler on the wallet – expenses run 3502% less than in Lisbon. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.