Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Lisbon and Baltimore, MD

For one person, living is cheaper in Lisbon: $2,210 a month against $2,603 in Baltimore, MD, rent and utilities included – about $4,700 less a year. Other living expenses account for most of the difference.

Lisbon, Portugal
Baltimore, MD, United States
Lisbon
🇵🇹 Portugal
$2,210
/mo nomad
Baltimore, MD
🇺🇸 United States
$2,603
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Lisbon and in Baltimore, MD

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Lisbon and in Baltimore, MD actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,210 in Lisbon versus $2,603 in Baltimore, MD.

  • Lisbon $2,210
  • Baltimore, MD $2,603

Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,275 in Lisbon versus $3,940 in Baltimore, MD.

  • Lisbon $3,275
  • Baltimore, MD $3,940

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,341 in Lisbon versus $5,277 in Baltimore, MD.

  • Lisbon $4,341
  • Baltimore, MD $5,277

Living in Lisbon costs roughly 15% less than in Baltimore, MD, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Lisbon 62% above, Baltimore, MD 91% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Lisbon
Baltimore, MD
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$16.65 €14.92
$17.89 $17.89
-6.93%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$61.7 €55.3
$94.6 $94.6
-34.70%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.36 €10.18
$10.58 $10.58
7.37%
Cappuccino
$2.97 €2.66
$5.20 $5.20
-42.88%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.29 €2.05
$3.45 $3.45
-33.62%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.74 €1.56
$2.60 $2.60
-33.08%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.40 €3.05
$6.92 $6.92
-50.87%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.31 €2.97
$8.08 $8.08
-59.03%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lisbon
Baltimore, MD
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.16 €1.04
$1.15 $1.15
0.87%
White Bread (500g)
$1.91 €1.71
$4.13 $4.13
-53.75%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.51 €1.36
$4.25 $4.25
-64.47%
Eggs
$4.02 €3.60
$5.04 $5.04
-20.24%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.94 €11.59
$12.57 $12.57
2.94%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$7.77 €6.97
$12.88 $12.88
-39.67%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$17.76 €15.92
$18.12 $18.12
-1.99%
Apples (1kg)
$2.30 €2.06
$5.90 $5.90
-61.02%
Banana (1kg)
$1.73 €1.55
$1.54 $1.54
12.34%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.86 €1.66
$5.66 $5.66
-67.14%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.59 €2.32
$4.80 $4.80
-46.04%
Potato (1kg)
$1.82 €1.63
$2.71 $2.71
-32.84%
Onion (1kg)
$1.97 €1.76
$2.87 $2.87
-31.36%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.47 €1.32
$2.36 $2.36
-37.71%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.72 €0.65
$2.26 $2.26
-68.14%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$6.58 €5.90
$13.27 $13.27
-50.41%
Wine (Bottle)
$5.61 €5.02
$15.80 $15.80
-64.49%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.36 €1.22
$2.67 $2.67
-49.06%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.14 €1.91
$3.82 $3.82
-43.98%
🚌 Getting Around
Lisbon
Baltimore, MD
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.33 €2.09
$2.06 $2.06
13.11%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$44.68 €40.04
$77.6 $77.6
-42.41%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.85 €3.45
$1.76 $1.76
118.75%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.07 €0.96
$1.38 $1.38
-22.46%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$16.46 €14.75
$23.89 $23.89
-31.10%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$2.20 €1.97
$1.07 $1.07
105.61%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.2K €30.6K
$34.5K $34.5K
-0.96%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$38.7K €34.7K
$26.6K $26.6K
45.63%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lisbon
Baltimore, MD
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$161 €144
$217 $217
-25.80%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$18.41 €16.50
$68.1 $68.1
-72.96%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$32.74 €29.34
$88.8 $88.8
-63.15%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lisbon
Baltimore, MD
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$44.55 €39.92
$47.25 $47.25
-5.71%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.10 €17.11
$47.67 $47.67
-59.93%
Cinema Ticket
$9.60 €8.60
$14.95 $14.95
-35.79%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lisbon
Baltimore, MD
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$668 €598
$1,934 $1,934
-65.48%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$17.6K €15.8K
$35.0K $35.0K
-49.73%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lisbon
Baltimore, MD
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$102 €91.4
$53.3 $53.3
91.59%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.46 €39.85
$62.1 $62.1
-28.43%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$98.5 €88.3
$94.0 $94.0
4.81%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$124 €111
$111 $111
11.02%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lisbon
Baltimore, MD
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,608 €1,441
$1,735 $1,735
-7.32%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,190 €1,066
$1,165 $1,165
2.11%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,812 €2,520
$2,179 $2,179
29.06%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,013 €1,804
$2,026 $2,026
-0.64%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$7,839 €7,025
$2,404 $2,404
226.07%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$4,576 €4,100
$2,214 $2,214
106.68%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Lisbon
Baltimore, MD
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,575 €1,411
$4,375 $4,375
-64.00%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
3.85
6.72
-42.71%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Lisbon: October 27, 2026

Last update for Baltimore, MD: October 26, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Lisbon
$1.2K
Baltimore, MD
$1.2K 2.1% $25
Groceries & Markets
Lisbon
$272
Baltimore, MD
$435 59.6% $162
Eating Out
Lisbon
$243
Baltimore, MD
$312 28.7% $70
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lisbon
$212
Baltimore, MD
$374 76.2% $162
Clothing & Footwear
Lisbon
$166
Baltimore, MD
$144 13% $22
Sport & Entertainment
Lisbon
$64
Baltimore, MD
$77 21.1% $13
Getting Around
Lisbon
$63
Baltimore, MD
$94 49.5% $31

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,608 in Lisbon and $1,735 in Baltimore, MD. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Baltimore, MD pays about 2.8 times more on average. How far that income stretches comes down to housing choices and lifestyle.

Dining out: $62 in Lisbon vs $95 in Baltimore, MD for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $272 vs $435 per month, with Lisbon cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇵🇹 Lisbon
🇺🇸 Baltimore, MD
🕒 Local time
06:08 6:08 AM
01:08 1:08 AM
5 h behind Lisbon
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
545,923 Capital
585,708
💱 Currency
Euro EUR €
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD to EUR – Euro Converter

Euro exchange rates as of November 2, 2026: 1 USD = 0.896 EUR (1 EUR = 1.12 USD).

United States Dollar exchange rates as of November 2, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.896 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Lisbon Baltimore, MD 5,690 km ≈ 8 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Lisbon
  • Baltimore, MD

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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 Baltimore, MD: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Lisbon or Baltimore, MD?
Lisbon wins on cost – living expenses run 15% lower than in Baltimore, MD. Housing and daily spending are where you’ll feel the difference most, making Lisbon the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Lisbon or in Baltimore, MD?
On paper, salaries run 64% lower in Lisbon. That’s worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Lisbon compared to Baltimore, MD?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,608 in Lisbon versus $1,735 in Baltimore, MD. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Are groceries more expensive in Lisbon or in Baltimore, MD?
Supermarket bills run roughly 60% higher in Baltimore, MD. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
How do dining costs compare in Lisbon and in Baltimore, MD?
Dining out is cheaper in Lisbon – a meal for two runs $62 versus $95 in Baltimore, MD. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Can you live on $3,000/month in Lisbon or in Baltimore, MD?
Either city works on $3,000 a month, though Lisbon gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Lisbon or Baltimore, MD?
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.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Lisbon gentler on the wallet – expenses run 15% less than in Baltimore, MD. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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