😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,268 in Lisbon versus $1,774 in Alcorcón.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,348 in Lisbon versus $2,606 in Alcorcón.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,429 in Lisbon versus $3,438 in Alcorcón.
🌍Living in Lisbon is roughly 28% more expensive than in Alcorcón, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Lisbon64% above, Alcorcón29% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Lisbon
Alcorcón
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.55€15.12
$17.21€14.84
1.98%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$64.5€55.6
$57.2€49.30
12.76%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.65€10.04
$11.43€9.85
1.92%
Cappuccino
$3.26€2.81
$2.12€1.83
53.77%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.49€2.15
$2.93€2.53
-15.02%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.67€1.44
$2.07€1.79
-19.32%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.47€2.99
$4.02€3.47
-13.68%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.58€3.08
$3.98€3.43
-10.05%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lisbon
Alcorcón
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.18€1.02
$1.35€1.17
-12.59%
White Bread(500g)
$1.95€1.68
$1.58€1.36
23.42%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.56€1.35
$1.61€1.39
-3.11%
Eggs
$4.01€3.46
$2.98€2.57
34.56%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.27€11.44
$17.10€14.74
-22.40%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.42€7.26
$9.51€8.20
-11.46%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$18.23€15.72
$17.89€15.42
1.90%
Apples(1kg)
$2.32€2.00
$2.73€2.36
-15.02%
Banana(1kg)
$1.73€1.49
$2.57€2.22
-32.68%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.93€1.67
$2.56€2.21
-24.61%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.64€2.27
$3.28€2.82
-19.51%
Potato(1kg)
$1.90€1.64
$2.01€1.74
-5.47%
Onion(1kg)
$2.11€1.82
$2.39€2.06
-11.72%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.44€1.24
$1.56€1.34
-7.69%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.80€0.69
$0.76€0.66
5.26%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$7.01€6.04
$6.59€5.68
6.37%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.92€5.11
$8.27€7.13
-28.42%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.36€1.18
$1.03€0.89
32.04%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.15€1.85
$2.29€1.98
-6.11%
🚌 Getting Around
Lisbon
Alcorcón
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.38€2.05
$1.72€1.48
38.37%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$46.22€39.85
$34.60€29.82
33.58%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.19€3.61
$2.47€2.13
69.64%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.10€0.95
$1.12€0.97
-1.79%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$17.26€14.88
$30.94€26.67
-44.21%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.25€1.94
$1.75€1.51
28.57%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.5K€29.7K
$36.6K€31.5K
-5.74%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$41.6K€35.9K
$30.1K€26.0K
38.19%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lisbon
Alcorcón
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$171€147
$169€146
1.18%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$19.01€16.38
$11.98€10.32
58.68%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$34.28€29.55
$36.21€31.22
-5.33%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lisbon
Alcorcón
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$49.65€42.80
$45.62€39.32
8.83%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.51€16.81
$14.72€12.69
32.54%
Cinema Ticket
$10.10€8.71
$9.19€7.92
9.90%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lisbon
Alcorcón
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$699€603
$526€453
32.91%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$17.8K€15.3K
$8,172€7,044
117.43%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lisbon
Alcorcón
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$105€90.2
$91.3€78.7
14.61%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$47.97€41.35
$40.20€34.65
19.33%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$102€87.8
$102€88.3
-0.58%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$128€111
$115€98.7
12.02%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lisbon
Alcorcón
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,661€1,432
$957€825
73.58%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,228€1,059
$692€596
77.53%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,915€2,513
$1,439€1,241
102.56%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,023€1,744
$1,059€913
91.06%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$8,129€7,007
$3,473€2,993
134.09%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,635€3,996
$2,320€2,000
99.79%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Lisbon
Alcorcón
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,619€1,396
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.78
3.09
22.33%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Lisbon: September 5, 2026
Last update for Alcorcón: September 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,661 in Lisbon and $957 in Alcorcón. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $64.0 in Lisbon vs $57.0 in Alcorcón. Groceries flip the comparison at $281 vs $308, 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 Alcorcón: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Alcorcón cheaper than Lisbon?
Alcorcón is cheaper overall, especially in Eating Out, Clothing & Footwear, Sport & Entertainment, Getting Around, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 28% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $3,402 in Lisbon and $2,661 in Alcorcón 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.
What is the rent difference between Lisbon and Alcorcón?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,661 in Lisbon versus $957 in Alcorcón. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What are total monthly expenses in Lisbon and in Alcorcón?
All in, you'll spend $2,268 per month in Lisbon versus $1,774 in Alcorcón – a 28% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city has cheaper public transport?
A monthly transit pass in Alcorcón runs roughly 34% less than in Lisbon. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Is $2,500 a realistic budget for living in Lisbon or in Alcorcón?
At $1,774 in Alcorcón versus $2,268 in Lisbon, a $2,500 budget is realistic in Alcorcón but tight or insufficient in Lisbon. The gap between the two cities makes Alcorcón the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Lisbon or Alcorcón more family-friendly?
For families, Alcorcón 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 Alcorcón?
Safety-wise, Lisbon and Alcorcón 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 Alcorcón gentler on the wallet – expenses run 28% less than in Lisbon. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.