🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,227 in Lisbon versus $3,356 in Alexandria, VA.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,305 in Lisbon versus $4,714 in Alexandria, VA.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,384 in Lisbon versus $6,071 in Alexandria, VA.
🙂Living in Lisbon costs roughly 34% less than in Alexandria, VA, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Lisbon66% above, Alexandria, VA151% above.
Moneda
🍽 Eating Out
Lisbon
Alexandria, VA
Diferencia
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$16.17€13.81
$19.76$19.76
-18.17%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$64.6€55.1
$79.2$79.2
-18.46%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.38€8.86
$10.18$10.18
1.96%
Cappuccino
$2.77€2.37
$5.01$5.01
-44.71%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.25€1.92
$2.32$2.32
-3.02%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.57€1.34
$2.11$2.11
-25.59%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.49€2.98
$6.13$6.13
-43.07%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.00€3.42
$7.44$7.44
-46.24%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lisbon
Alexandria, VA
Diferencia
Milk(1 liter)
$1.08€0.93
$1.04$1.04
3.85%
White Bread(500g)
$1.74€1.49
$3.53$3.53
-50.71%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.74€1.48
$6.20$6.20
-71.94%
Eggs
$3.18€2.71
$4.83$4.83
-34.16%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.43€11.47
$19.03$19.03
-29.43%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.99€6.83
$10.24$10.24
-21.97%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$16.09€13.74
$15.76$15.76
2.09%
Apples(1kg)
$2.28€1.95
$6.87$6.87
-66.81%
Banana(1kg)
$1.72€1.47
$1.80$1.80
-4.44%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.94€1.66
$7.28$7.28
-73.35%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.54€2.17
$6.72$6.72
-62.20%
Potato(1kg)
$1.83€1.56
$3.59$3.59
-49.03%
Onion(1kg)
$2.04€1.74
$2.99$2.99
-31.77%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.98€1.69
$2.51$2.51
-21.12%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.85€0.73
$2.66$2.66
-68.05%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.85€5.85
$7.88$7.88
-13.07%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.78€4.93
$15.02$15.02
-61.52%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.37€1.17
$1.76$1.76
-22.16%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.90€2.48
$3.77$3.77
-23.08%
🚌 Getting Around
Lisbon
Alexandria, VA
Diferencia
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.28€1.95
$2.93$2.93
-22.18%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$46.84€40.00
$80.8$80.8
-42.02%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.08€3.48
$1.82$1.82
124.18%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.82€0.70
$1.34$1.34
-38.81%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$18.27€15.60
$24.11$24.11
-24.22%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.01€1.71
$0.88$0.88
128.41%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.3K€30.1K
$25.0K$25.0K
41.30%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$38.5K€32.9K
$24.3K$24.3K
58.26%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lisbon
Alexandria, VA
Diferencia
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$145€124
$169$169
-13.88%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$20.96€17.90
$53.8$53.8
-61.05%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$40.05€34.21
$65.7$65.7
-39.02%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lisbon
Alexandria, VA
Diferencia
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$48.79€41.66
$72.6$72.6
-32.75%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.69€15.97
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$9.06€7.74
$15.12$15.12
-40.08%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lisbon
Alexandria, VA
Diferencia
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$607€518
$1,279$1,279
-52.56%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$16.3K€13.9K
$24.2K$24.2K
-32.65%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lisbon
Alexandria, VA
Diferencia
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$105€89.4
$50.9$50.9
105.70%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$40.95€34.97
$47.70$47.70
-14.15%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$93.6€79.9
$98.0$98.0
-4.46%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$119€101
$113$113
5.10%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lisbon
Alexandria, VA
Diferencia
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,604€1,370
$2,387$2,387
-32.80%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,236€1,055
$1,948$1,948
-36.56%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,046€2,601
$3,513$3,513
-13.29%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,057€1,756
$2,882$2,882
-28.64%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,709€6,583
$6,536$6,536
17.95%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,266€3,644
$4,090$4,090
4.32%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Lisbon
Alexandria, VA
Diferencia
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,584€1,353
$6,067$6,067
-73.89%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.81
6.57
-42.01%
Los datos de CityCost se basan en IA y aportaciones de usuarios. Puede haber pequeñas variaciones.
Última actualización para Lisbon: April 26, 2026
Última actualización para Alexandria, VA: April 25, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,604 in Lisbon and $2,387 in Alexandria, VA. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Alexandria, VA pays 283% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $65.0 in Lisbon vs $79.0 in Alexandria, VA for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $271 vs $458 per month, with Lisbon cheaper across the board.
Comparación de velocidades medias de internet por ciudad (actualizado April 2026)
El gráfico resalta el umbral de precisión para velocidades de internet móvil y fija, actualizado trimestralmente.
Índice del coste de vida para nómadas digitales
Lisbon vs Alexandria, VA: Coste de vida - preguntas frecuentes
What is the total cost difference between living in Lisbon and Alexandria, VA?
Lisbon and Alexandria, VA differ by about 51% in total monthly costs ($2,227 vs $3,356 including rent). Lisbon is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, Alexandria, VA earns 283% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do apartment prices compare in Lisbon and Alexandria, VA?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,604 in Lisbon versus $2,387 in Alexandria, VA. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city is more expensive overall: Lisbon or Alexandria, VA?
All in, you'll spend $2,227 per month in Lisbon versus $3,356 in Alexandria, VA – a 51% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Lisbon and Alexandria, VA?
A monthly transit pass in Lisbon runs roughly 72% less than in Alexandria, VA. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Which city is more doable on $3,000 per month?
At $2,227 in Lisbon versus $3,356 in Alexandria, VA, a $3,000 budget is realistic in Lisbon but tight or insufficient in Alexandria, VA. The gap between the two cities makes Lisbon the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Lisbon and Alexandria, VA?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Lisbon or Alexandria, VA safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Lisbon and Alexandria, VA are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Lisbon or Alexandria, VA?
Expats usually find Lisbon gentler on the wallet – expenses run 51% less than in Alexandria, VA. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.