😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,316 in Lisbon versus $1,678 in Athens, OH.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,361 in Lisbon versus $2,494 in Athens, OH.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,405 in Lisbon versus $3,310 in Athens, OH.
🌍Living in Lisbon is roughly 38% more expensive than in Athens, OH, driven mainly by Getting Around.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Lisbon69% above, Athens, OH22% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Lisbon
Athens, OH
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.30€14.87
$15.02$15.02
15.18%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$63.3€54.4
$50.0$50.0
26.49%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.39€9.79
$10.15$10.15
12.22%
Cappuccino
$3.19€2.74
$5.02$5.02
-36.45%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.45€2.10
$2.33$2.33
5.15%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.76€1.52
$1.41$1.41
24.82%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.59€3.09
$4.97$4.97
-27.77%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.39€2.92
$6.86$6.86
-50.58%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lisbon
Athens, OH
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.24€1.06
$0.69$0.69
79.71%
White Bread(500g)
$1.98€1.71
$2.16$2.16
-8.33%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.52€1.31
$2.92$2.92
-47.95%
Eggs
$4.04€3.47
$4.19$4.19
-3.58%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.54€11.64
$12.97$12.97
4.39%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.39€7.21
$8.67$8.67
-3.23%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$18.25€15.69
$16.22$16.22
12.52%
Apples(1kg)
$2.29€1.97
$3.65$3.65
-37.26%
Banana(1kg)
$1.74€1.50
$0.97$0.97
79.38%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.86€1.60
$2.73$2.73
-31.87%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.63€2.26
$2.99$2.99
-12.04%
Potato(1kg)
$1.92€1.65
$1.63$1.63
17.79%
Onion(1kg)
$2.09€1.80
$2.20$2.20
-5.00%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.44€1.24
$1.69$1.69
-14.79%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84€0.72
$1.93$1.93
-56.48%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.78€5.83
$9.16$9.16
-25.98%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.71€4.91
$14.84$14.84
-61.52%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.38€1.18
$2.09$2.09
-33.97%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.22€1.91
$3.02$3.02
-26.49%
🚌 Getting Around
Lisbon
Athens, OH
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.40€2.06
$0.99$0.99
142.42%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$46.78€40.22
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.17€3.59
$3.82$3.82
9.16%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.14€0.98
$1.25$1.25
-8.80%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$17.68€15.20
$25.21$25.21
-29.87%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.32€2.00
$0.87$0.87
166.67%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.3K€30.4K
$36.5K$36.5K
-3.19%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$41.4K€35.6K
$25.9K$25.9K
60.21%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lisbon
Athens, OH
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$170€146
$150$150
13.77%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$19.34€16.62
$29.94$29.94
-35.40%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$33.64€28.92
$48.78$48.78
-31.04%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lisbon
Athens, OH
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$48.10€41.35
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.90€17.11
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$9.92€8.53
$12.09$12.09
-17.95%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lisbon
Athens, OH
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$717€617
$1,442$1,442
-50.25%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$17.5K€15.0K
$19.3K$19.3K
-9.67%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lisbon
Athens, OH
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$105€90.1
$45.48$45.48
130.34%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$46.95€40.36
$44.84$44.84
4.71%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103€88.9
$66.2$66.2
56.25%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$124€107
$110$110
12.98%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lisbon
Athens, OH
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,677€1,441
$1,303$1,303
28.71%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,271€1,093
$699$699
81.88%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,985€2,566
$1,468$1,468
103.32%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,992€1,713
$1,252$1,252
59.10%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,826€6,728
$1,649$1,649
374.65%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,658€4,004
$1,653$1,653
181.86%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Lisbon
Athens, OH
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,583€1,361
$3,464$3,464
-54.31%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.79
6.21
-38.97%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Lisbon: August 30, 2026
Last update for Athens, OH: August 30, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,677 in Lisbon and $1,303 in Athens, OH. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Athens, OH pays 119% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $63.0 in Lisbon vs $50.0 in Athens, OH. Groceries flip the comparison at $283 vs $323, 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 Athens, OH: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Athens, OH cheaper than Lisbon?
Athens, OH is cheaper overall, especially in Clothing & Footwear, Sport & Entertainment, Getting Around. The 38% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Lisbon or Athens, OH?
On paper, salaries run 119% lower in Athens, OH. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
What is the rent difference between Lisbon and Athens, OH?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,677 in Lisbon versus $1,303 in Athens, OH. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do food prices compare in Lisbon and in Athens, OH?
Shoppers in Lisbon pay roughly 14% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.
What are total monthly expenses in Lisbon and in Athens, OH?
All in, you'll spend $2,316 per month in Lisbon versus $1,678 in Athens, OH – a 38% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $2,500 a realistic budget for living in Lisbon or in Athens, OH?
At $1,678 in Athens, OH versus $2,316 in Lisbon, a $2,500 budget is realistic in Athens, OH but tight or insufficient in Lisbon. The gap between the two cities makes Athens, OH the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Lisbon or Athens, OH more family-friendly?
For families, Athens, OH 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 Athens, OH?
Safety-wise, Lisbon and Athens, OH 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 Athens, OH gentler on the wallet – expenses run 38% less than in Lisbon. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.