😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,227 in Lisbon versus $277 in Alexandra.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,305 in Lisbon versus $447 in Alexandra.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,384 in Lisbon versus $618 in Alexandra.
😐Living in Lisbon is roughly 705% more expensive than Alexandra, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Lisbon is 66% above, Alexandra is 79% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Lisbon
Alexandra
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$16.17€13.84
$29.85BBD 59.7
-45.83%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$64.6€55.3
-
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.38€8.88
-
-
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
-
-
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
Alexandra
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.08€0.93
$3.32BBD 6.64
-67.47%
White Bread(500g)
$1.74€1.49
-
-
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.74€1.49
-
-
Eggs
$3.18€2.72
-
-
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.43€11.50
-
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.99€6.84
-
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$16.09€13.77
-
-
Apples(1kg)
$2.28€1.95
-
-
Banana(1kg)
$1.72€1.48
-
-
Oranges(1kg)
$1.94€1.66
-
-
Tomato(1kg)
$2.54€2.18
-
-
Potato(1kg)
$1.83€1.57
-
-
Onion(1kg)
$2.04€1.75
-
-
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.98€1.69
-
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.85€0.73
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.85€5.87
-
-
Wine(Bottle)
$5.78€4.94
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.37€1.18
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.90€2.48
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Lisbon
Alexandra
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.28€1.95
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$46.84€40.10
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.08€3.49
-
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.82€0.70
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$18.27€15.64
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.01€1.72
-
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.3K€30.2K
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$38.5K€32.9K
-
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lisbon
Alexandra
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$145€124
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$20.96€17.94
-
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$40.05€34.29
-
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lisbon
Alexandra
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$48.79€41.76
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.69€16.00
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$9.06€7.76
-
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lisbon
Alexandra
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$607€519
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$16.3K€14.0K
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lisbon
Alexandra
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$105€89.6
-
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$40.95€35.06
-
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$93.6€80.1
-
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$119€101
-
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🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lisbon
Alexandra
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,604€1,373
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,236€1,058
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,046€2,607
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,057€1,761
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,709€6,599
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,266€3,652
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Lisbon
Alexandra
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,584€1,356
-
-
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: April 26, 2026
Last update for Alexandra: April 25, 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 Alexandra: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Alexandra cheaper than Lisbon?
Alexandra is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Clothing & Footwear, Sport & Entertainment, Getting Around, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 705% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $3,341 in Lisbon and $415 in Alexandra 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 Alexandra?
Supermarket bills run roughly 715% higher in Lisbon. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
What are total monthly expenses in Lisbon vs Alexandra?
All in, you'll spend $2,227 per month in Lisbon versus $277 in Alexandra – a 705% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Lisbon or Alexandra?
At $277 in Alexandra versus $2,227 in Lisbon, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Alexandra but tight or insufficient in Lisbon. The gap between the two cities makes Alexandra the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Lisbon or Alexandra more family-friendly?
For families, Alexandra 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 Alexandra?
Safety-wise, Lisbon and Alexandra 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 Alexandra gentler on the wallet – expenses run 705% less than in Lisbon. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.