😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,210 in Lisbon versus $870 in Al Mukalla.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,311 in Lisbon versus $1,554 in Al Mukalla.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,411 in Lisbon versus $2,238 in Al Mukalla.
😐Living in Lisbon is roughly 154% more expensive than Al Mukalla, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Lisbon is 65% above, Al Mukalla is 35% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Lisbon
Al Mukalla
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$15.91€13.69
$16.72YER 3,985
-4.84%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$64.8€55.7
$37.33YER 8,895
73.51%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.51€9.04
$16.27YER 3,877
-35.40%
Cappuccino
$2.87€2.47
$8.09YER 1,929
-64.52%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.24€1.93
$3.77YER 899
-40.58%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.50€1.29
$0.78YER 186
92.31%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.49€3.00
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.88€3.34
-
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lisbon
Al Mukalla
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.14€0.98
-
-
White Bread(500g)
$1.75€1.51
$0.86YER 205
103.49%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.76€1.51
$6.60YER 1,572
-73.33%
Eggs
$3.22€2.77
$7.29YER 1,738
-55.83%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.49€11.61
$14.27YER 3,401
-5.47%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.91€6.81
$23.34YER 5,561
-66.11%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.87€13.65
$58.5YER 13.9K
-72.86%
Apples(1kg)
$2.31€1.99
$12.76YER 3,042
-81.90%
Banana(1kg)
$1.70€1.46
$4.83YER 1,151
-64.80%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.01€1.73
$4.80YER 1,144
-58.13%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.46€2.12
$3.20YER 764
-23.13%
Potato(1kg)
$1.84€1.59
$5.21YER 1,243
-64.68%
Onion(1kg)
$2.00€1.72
$4.16YER 990
-51.92%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.93€1.66
-
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.79€0.68
$2.48YER 591
-68.15%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.61€5.68
-
-
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
Al Mukalla
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.37€2.04
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$45.56€39.19
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.29€3.69
-
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.82€0.70
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$18.30€15.74
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.06€1.78
-
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.3K€29.5K
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$39.3K€33.8K
-
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lisbon
Al Mukalla
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$148€127
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$20.52€17.65
-
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$39.61€34.08
-
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lisbon
Al Mukalla
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$47.85€41.16
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.92€16.28
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$9.18€7.90
-
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lisbon
Al Mukalla
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$614€528
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$16.0K€13.8K
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lisbon
Al Mukalla
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$105€90.0
-
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.06€36.18
-
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$94.0€80.8
-
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$120€103
-
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lisbon
Al Mukalla
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,628€1,400
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,255€1,080
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,030€2,607
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,020€1,738
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,800€6,709
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,273€3,675
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Lisbon
Al Mukalla
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,603€1,379
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.81
0
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Lisbon: June 1, 2026
Last update for Al Mukalla: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🛒Dining out: $65.0 in Lisbon vs $37.00 in Al Mukalla. Groceries flip the comparison at $269 vs $581, with Lisbon 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
Lisbon vs Al Mukalla: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Al Mukalla cheaper than Lisbon?
Al Mukalla is cheaper overall, especially in Clothing & Footwear, Sport & Entertainment, Getting Around, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 154% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $3,315 in Lisbon and $1,304 in Al Mukalla 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.
How do food prices compare in Lisbon and Al Mukalla?
Shoppers in Lisbon pay roughly 116% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.
Is eating out cheaper in Lisbon or Al Mukalla?
Dining out is cheaper in Al Mukalla – a meal for two runs $37.00 versus $65.0 in Lisbon. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Lisbon or Al Mukalla?
At $870 in Al Mukalla versus $2,210 in Lisbon, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Al Mukalla but tight or insufficient in Lisbon. The gap between the two cities makes Al Mukalla the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Lisbon or Al Mukalla more family-friendly?
For families, Al Mukalla is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Lisbon, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Lisbon or Al Mukalla?
Safety-wise, Lisbon and Al Mukalla 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 easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Al Mukalla gentler on the wallet – expenses run 154% less than in Lisbon. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.