😐A single person spends $2,322 per month in Lisbon vs $502 in Ambositra, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $3,409 per month in Lisbon vs $769 in Ambositra, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $4,496 per month in Lisbon vs $1,035 in Ambositra, rent included.
😐Lisbon costs about 362% more than Ambositra, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Lisbon sits 69% above the global median, while Ambositra is 63% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Lisbon
Ambositra
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.10€14.63
$2.82MGA 12.1K
506.38%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$64.1€54.8
$20.53MGA 88.1K
212.27%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.71€10.02
$5.66MGA 24.3K
106.89%
Cappuccino
$3.14€2.69
$1.66MGA 7,123
89.16%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.51€2.14
$0.83MGA 3,580
202.41%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.66€1.42
$0.47MGA 2,021
253.19%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.51€3.01
$1.02MGA 4,394
244.12%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.37€2.88
$2.29MGA 9,818
47.16%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lisbon
Ambositra
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.16€0.99
$1.08MGA 4,652
7.41%
White Bread(500g)
$2.02€1.73
$1.06MGA 4,565
90.57%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.58€1.35
$0.79MGA 3,411
100.00%
Eggs
$4.05€3.46
$2.05MGA 8,807
97.56%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$12.81€10.96
$8.93MGA 38.3K
43.45%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.02€6.86
$4.56MGA 19.6K
75.88%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$17.03€14.57
$4.99MGA 21.4K
241.28%
Apples(1kg)
$2.38€2.03
$1.12MGA 4,823
112.50%
Banana(1kg)
$1.83€1.57
$0.56MGA 2,419
226.79%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.99€1.71
$1.08MGA 4,622
84.26%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.67€2.28
$0.91MGA 3,916
193.41%
Potato(1kg)
$1.90€1.63
$0.62MGA 2,664
206.45%
Onion(1kg)
$1.97€1.69
$0.96MGA 4,106
105.21%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.43€1.23
$0.36MGA 1,529
297.22%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.91€0.78
$0.76MGA 3,241
19.74%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.82€5.84
$1.67MGA 7,155
308.38%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.73€4.90
$5.34MGA 22.9K
7.30%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.33€1.14
$1.02MGA 4,375
30.39%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.13€1.83
$1.94MGA 8,315
9.79%
🚌 Getting Around
Lisbon
Ambositra
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.40€2.05
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$45.94€39.30
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.25€3.63
$3.44MGA 14.7K
23.55%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.11€0.95
$2.07MGA 8,892
-46.38%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$17.99€15.39
$4.62MGA 19.8K
289.39%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.20€1.88
$1.24MGA 5,300
77.42%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.2K€30.1K
$12.4KMGA 53.3M
183.49%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$40.0K€34.2K
$26.1KMGA 111.9M
53.46%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lisbon
Ambositra
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$171€146
$75.4MGA 323.7K
126.80%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$19.61€16.78
$17.68MGA 75.9K
10.92%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$33.19€28.39
$57.8MGA 248.1K
-42.61%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lisbon
Ambositra
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$47.96€41.02
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.88€17.01
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$10.12€8.66
$6.45MGA 27.7K
56.90%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lisbon
Ambositra
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$700€599
$25.33MGA 108.7K
2663.84%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$17.4K€14.8K
$15.4KMGA 65.9M
12.97%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lisbon
Ambositra
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$109€93.4
$29.42MGA 126.2K
271.04%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$47.84€40.92
$28.88MGA 123.9K
65.65%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$106€90.9
$80.2MGA 344.0K
32.49%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$126€108
$70.9MGA 304.1K
77.95%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lisbon
Ambositra
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,708€1,461
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,265€1,082
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,973€2,543
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,000€1,711
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$8,013€6,855
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,525€3,871
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Lisbon
Ambositra
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,663€1,422
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.73
15.75
-76.32%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Lisbon: August 15, 2026
Last update for Ambositra: August 16, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $64.0 in Lisbon versus $21.00 in Ambositra. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $277 vs $149 – making Ambositra the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
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 Ambositra: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ambositra cheaper than Lisbon?
Yes – Lisbon is pricier by about 362%, and the gap shows up most in Eating Out. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,483 per month in Lisbon and $754 in Ambositra. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
What are total monthly expenses in Lisbon and in Ambositra?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $2,322 in Lisbon and $502 in Ambositra. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Kindergarten costs $700 per month in Lisbon and $25.33 in Ambositra. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Lisbon or in Ambositra?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Ambositra, where all-in costs run around $502, than in Lisbon at $2,322. In Ambositra it covers expenses comfortably, while in Lisbon it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Lisbon or Ambositra more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Ambositra – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Lisbon or Ambositra?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Ambositra. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Lisbon makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.