😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,280 in Lisbon versus $1,608 in Barakaldo.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,294 in Lisbon versus $2,358 in Barakaldo.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,307 in Lisbon versus $3,108 in Barakaldo.
🌍Living in Lisbon is roughly 42% more expensive than in Barakaldo, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Lisbon71% above, Barakaldo21% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Lisbon
Barakaldo
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$15.75€13.64
$17.40€15.07
-9.48%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$63.5€55.0
$52.0€45.01
22.15%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.45€9.05
$11.38€9.86
-8.17%
Cappuccino
$2.91€2.52
$2.16€1.87
34.72%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.29€1.98
$3.04€2.63
-24.67%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.50€1.30
$2.03€1.76
-26.11%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.56€3.09
$3.21€2.78
10.90%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.96€3.43
$3.77€3.27
5.04%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lisbon
Barakaldo
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.08€0.94
$1.21€1.05
-10.74%
White Bread(500g)
$1.76€1.53
$1.49€1.29
18.12%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.70€1.47
$1.36€1.17
25.00%
Eggs
$3.25€2.81
$2.81€2.44
15.66%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.25€11.47
$12.34€10.68
7.37%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.70€6.67
$7.98€6.91
-3.51%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.77€13.66
$13.03€11.29
21.03%
Apples(1kg)
$2.28€1.97
$2.63€2.28
-13.31%
Banana(1kg)
$1.66€1.43
$1.99€1.73
-16.58%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.02€1.75
$2.37€2.05
-14.77%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.47€2.14
$2.35€2.04
5.11%
Potato(1kg)
$1.79€1.55
$1.64€1.42
9.15%
Onion(1kg)
$2.07€1.79
$2.23€1.93
-7.17%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.97€1.71
$1.10€0.95
79.09%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.83€0.72
$0.83€0.72
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.55€5.68
$6.32€5.47
3.64%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.57€4.82
$7.82€6.78
-28.77%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.33€1.15
$1.21€1.05
9.92%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.01€2.60
$2.05€1.78
46.83%
🚌 Getting Around
Lisbon
Barakaldo
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.27€1.97
$1.73€1.50
31.21%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$46.35€40.14
$34.76€30.10
33.34%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.23€3.66
$5.50€4.77
-23.09%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.85€0.73
$0.95€0.82
-10.53%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$18.83€16.31
$31.75€27.50
-40.69%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.02€1.75
$1.82€1.57
10.99%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.0K€30.3K
$38.1K€33.0K
-8.15%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$39.6K€34.3K
$32.3K€28.0K
22.72%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lisbon
Barakaldo
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$148€128
$142€123
4.03%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$20.52€17.77
$19.31€16.72
6.27%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$39.52€34.23
$27.99€24.24
41.19%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lisbon
Barakaldo
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$48.17€41.72
$47.91€41.49
0.54%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.39€15.92
$14.79€12.80
24.34%
Cinema Ticket
$9.10€7.88
$9.25€8.01
-1.62%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lisbon
Barakaldo
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$615€532
$502€435
22.41%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$16.3K€14.1K
$9,019€7,811
80.56%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lisbon
Barakaldo
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$102€88.0
$82.8€71.7
22.64%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.09€36.45
$31.96€27.67
31.70%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$92.3€79.9
$80.5€69.7
14.69%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$122€106
$112€97.0
9.03%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lisbon
Barakaldo
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,612€1,396
$840€727
91.86%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,254€1,086
$695€602
80.46%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,069€2,658
$1,308€1,133
134.66%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,037€1,764
$997€863
104.25%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,751€6,712
$3,140€2,720
146.80%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,286€3,712
$2,178€1,886
96.80%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Lisbon
Barakaldo
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,602€1,387
$1,769€1,532
-9.45%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.81
3.38
12.72%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Lisbon: July 27, 2026
Last update for Barakaldo: July 25, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,612 in Lisbon and $840 in Barakaldo. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Barakaldo pays 10% 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 $52.0 in Barakaldo for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $267 vs $256 per month, with Barakaldo cheaper across the board.
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 Barakaldo: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Lisbon and in Barakaldo?
Lisbon and Barakaldo differ by about 42% in total monthly costs ($2,280 vs $1,608 including rent). Barakaldo is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, salaries run 10% lower in Barakaldo. 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 in Barakaldo?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,612 in Lisbon versus $840 in Barakaldo. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Barakaldo – a meal for two runs $52.0 versus $63.0 in Lisbon. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more expensive overall: Lisbon or Barakaldo?
All in, you'll spend $2,280 per month in Lisbon versus $1,608 in Barakaldo – a 42% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is more doable on $3,000 per month?
At $1,608 in Barakaldo versus $2,280 in Lisbon, a $3,000 budget is realistic in Barakaldo but tight or insufficient in Lisbon. The gap between the two cities makes Barakaldo the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Lisbon and Barakaldo?
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 Barakaldo safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Lisbon and Barakaldo 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 Barakaldo?
Expats usually find Barakaldo gentler on the wallet – expenses run 42% less than in Lisbon. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.