🙂A single person spends $2,280 per month in Lisbon vs $2,613 in Ashland, MA, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $3,294 per month in Lisbon vs $3,892 in Ashland, MA, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $4,307 per month in Lisbon vs $5,170 in Ashland, MA, rent included.
🙂Lisbon is about 13% cheaper than Ashland, MA, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both Lisbon and Ashland, MA sit above the global median – Lisbon by 71%, Ashland, MA by 96%.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Lisbon
Ashland, MA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$15.75€13.64
$24.85$24.85
-36.62%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$63.5€55.0
$99.0$99.0
-35.85%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.45€9.05
$11.95$11.95
-12.55%
Cappuccino
$2.91€2.52
$4.43$4.43
-34.31%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.29€1.98
$2.82$2.82
-18.79%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.50€1.30
$2.09$2.09
-28.23%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.56€3.09
$6.13$6.13
-41.92%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.96€3.43
$6.98$6.98
-43.27%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lisbon
Ashland, MA
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.08€0.94
$0.92$0.92
17.39%
White Bread(500g)
$1.76€1.53
$3.49$3.49
-49.57%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.70€1.47
$5.37$5.37
-68.34%
Eggs
$3.25€2.81
$4.69$4.69
-30.70%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.25€11.47
$18.91$18.91
-29.93%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.70€6.67
$12.87$12.87
-40.17%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.77€13.66
$14.54$14.54
8.46%
Apples(1kg)
$2.28€1.97
$3.79$3.79
-39.84%
Banana(1kg)
$1.66€1.43
$1.39$1.39
19.42%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.02€1.75
$3.85$3.85
-47.53%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.47€2.14
$4.06$4.06
-39.16%
Potato(1kg)
$1.79€1.55
$3.27$3.27
-45.26%
Onion(1kg)
$2.07€1.79
$2.49$2.49
-16.87%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.97€1.71
$1.89$1.89
4.23%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.83€0.72
$1.67$1.67
-50.30%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.55€5.68
$13.06$13.06
-49.85%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.57€4.82
$14.72$14.72
-62.16%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.33€1.15
$1.72$1.72
-22.67%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.01€2.60
$2.43$2.43
23.87%
🚌 Getting Around
Lisbon
Ashland, MA
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.27€1.97
$2.02$2.02
12.38%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$46.35€40.14
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.23€3.66
$3.09$3.09
36.89%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.85€0.73
$2.21$2.21
-61.54%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$18.83€16.31
$29.63$29.63
-36.45%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.02€1.75
$0.84$0.84
140.48%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.0K€30.3K
$28.6K$28.6K
22.34%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$39.6K€34.3K
$24.8K$24.8K
59.87%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lisbon
Ashland, MA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$148€128
$194$194
-23.61%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$20.52€17.77
$53.0$53.0
-61.29%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$39.52€34.23
$65.5$65.5
-39.67%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lisbon
Ashland, MA
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$48.17€41.72
$42.26$42.26
13.98%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.39€15.92
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$9.10€7.88
$15.23$15.23
-40.25%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lisbon
Ashland, MA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$615€532
$1,287$1,287
-52.22%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$16.3K€14.1K
$29.6K$29.6K
-44.96%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lisbon
Ashland, MA
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$102€88.0
$47.02$47.02
116.01%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.09€36.45
$34.58$34.58
21.72%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$92.3€79.9
$54.3$54.3
69.87%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$122€106
$148$148
-17.45%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lisbon
Ashland, MA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,612€1,396
$1,600$1,600
0.72%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,254€1,086
$1,363$1,363
-8.05%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,069€2,658
$2,608$2,608
17.69%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,037€1,764
$2,232$2,232
-8.75%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,751€6,712
$2,708$2,708
186.19%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,286€3,712
$2,397$2,397
78.82%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Lisbon
Ashland, MA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,602€1,387
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.81
6.38
-40.28%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Lisbon: July 27, 2026
Last update for Ashland, MA: July 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $1,612 in Lisbon versus $1,600 in Ashland, MA. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $63.0 in Lisbon versus $99.0 in Ashland, MA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $267 vs $397 – making Lisbon 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 Ashland, MA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Lisbon or Ashland, MA?
Ashland, MA costs about 15% more than Lisbon, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Lisbon and in Ashland, MA?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,420 per month in Lisbon and $3,919 in Ashland, MA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Lisbon or Ashland, MA?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Lisbon, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How much does it cost to live in Lisbon compared to Ashland, MA?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $2,280 in Lisbon and $2,613 in Ashland, MA. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
How do childcare costs compare in Lisbon and in Ashland, MA?
Kindergarten costs $615 per month in Lisbon and $1,287 in Ashland, MA. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Can you live on $3,000/month in Lisbon or in Ashland, MA?
$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $2,280 in Lisbon and $2,613 in Ashland, MA. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Lisbon or Ashland, MA?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Lisbon costs $2,280 versus $2,613 in Ashland, MA. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Lisbon compared to Ashland, MA?
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.
Should I move to Lisbon or to Ashland, MA?
If budget matters most, go with Lisbon. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Ashland, MA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.