😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,280 in Lisbon versus $814 in Bayan Lepas.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,294 in Lisbon versus $1,327 in Bayan Lepas.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,307 in Lisbon versus $1,840 in Bayan Lepas.
🌍Living in Lisbon is roughly 180% more expensive than in Bayan Lepas, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Lisbon is 71% above, Bayan Lepas is 39% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Lisbon
Bayan Lepas
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$15.75€13.64
$3.51MYR 14.31
348.72%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$63.5€55.0
$18.53MYR 75.6
242.58%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.45€9.05
$4.08MYR 16.66
156.13%
Cappuccino
$2.91€2.52
$2.69MYR 11.00
8.18%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.29€1.98
$0.77MYR 3.13
197.40%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.50€1.30
$0.53MYR 2.17
183.02%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.56€3.09
$4.77MYR 19.49
-25.37%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.96€3.43
$4.82MYR 19.67
-17.84%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lisbon
Bayan Lepas
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.08€0.94
$2.44MYR 9.96
-55.74%
White Bread(500g)
$1.76€1.53
$0.85MYR 3.47
107.06%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.70€1.47
$1.34MYR 5.47
26.87%
Eggs
$3.25€2.81
$1.74MYR 7.09
86.78%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.25€11.47
$14.63MYR 59.8
-9.43%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.70€6.67
$4.47MYR 18.26
72.26%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.77€13.66
$6.53MYR 26.65
141.50%
Apples(1kg)
$2.28€1.97
$2.89MYR 11.80
-21.11%
Banana(1kg)
$1.66€1.43
$1.54MYR 6.28
7.79%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.02€1.75
$2.99MYR 12.21
-32.44%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.47€2.14
$1.18MYR 4.84
109.32%
Potato(1kg)
$1.79€1.55
$1.04MYR 4.24
72.12%
Onion(1kg)
$2.07€1.79
$1.00MYR 4.06
107.00%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.97€1.71
$0.62MYR 2.53
217.74%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.83€0.72
$0.62MYR 2.52
33.87%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.55€5.68
$5.07MYR 20.72
29.19%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.57€4.82
$19.46MYR 79.5
-71.38%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.33€1.15
$2.85MYR 11.63
-53.33%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.01€2.60
$1.26MYR 5.16
138.89%
🚌 Getting Around
Lisbon
Bayan Lepas
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.27€1.97
$0.66MYR 2.68
243.94%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$46.35€40.14
$14.11MYR 57.6
228.49%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.23€3.66
$1.54MYR 6.31
174.68%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.85€0.73
$1.03MYR 4.20
-17.48%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$18.83€16.31
$5.77MYR 23.55
226.34%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.02€1.75
$0.58MYR 2.36
248.28%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.0K€30.3K
$35.5KMYR 145.1K
-1.66%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$39.6K€34.3K
$28.8KMYR 117.4K
37.86%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lisbon
Bayan Lepas
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$148€128
$33.46MYR 137
342.11%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$20.52€17.77
$11.24MYR 45.87
82.56%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$39.52€34.23
$29.71MYR 121
33.02%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lisbon
Bayan Lepas
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$48.17€41.72
$32.43MYR 132
48.54%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.39€15.92
$4.54MYR 18.55
305.07%
Cinema Ticket
$9.10€7.88
$4.01MYR 16.38
126.93%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lisbon
Bayan Lepas
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$615€532
$234MYR 955
162.71%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$16.3K€14.1K
$7,141MYR 29.2K
128.07%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lisbon
Bayan Lepas
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$102€88.0
$37.55MYR 153
170.49%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.09€36.45
$26.31MYR 107
59.98%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$92.3€79.9
$60.9MYR 248
51.70%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$122€106
$78.0MYR 318
56.55%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lisbon
Bayan Lepas
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,612€1,396
$189MYR 772
752.85%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,254€1,086
$216MYR 880
481.61%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,069€2,658
$464MYR 1,893
562.14%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,037€1,764
$548MYR 2,236
271.93%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,751€6,712
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,286€3,712
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Lisbon
Bayan Lepas
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,602€1,387
$996MYR 4,067
60.81%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.81
3.3
15.45%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Lisbon: July 27, 2026
Last update for Bayan Lepas: July 28, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,612 in Lisbon and $189 in Bayan Lepas. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Lisbon pays 61% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $63.0 in Lisbon vs $19.00 in Bayan Lepas for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $267 vs $243 per month, with Bayan Lepas 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 Bayan Lepas: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Lisbon and in Bayan Lepas?
Lisbon and Bayan Lepas differ by about 180% in total monthly costs ($2,280 vs $814 including rent). Bayan Lepas is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Lisbon or Bayan Lepas?
Average pay runs 61% higher in Lisbon, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How do apartment prices compare in Lisbon and in Bayan Lepas?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,612 in Lisbon versus $189 in Bayan Lepas. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do commuting costs compare in Lisbon and in Bayan Lepas?
A monthly transit pass in Bayan Lepas runs roughly 228% less than in Lisbon. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Lisbon and Bayan Lepas?
Childcare runs $615 in Lisbon versus $234 in Bayan Lepas. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $814 in Bayan Lepas versus $2,280 in Lisbon, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Bayan Lepas but tight or insufficient in Lisbon. The gap between the two cities makes Bayan Lepas the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Lisbon and Bayan Lepas?
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 Bayan Lepas safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Lisbon and Bayan Lepas 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 Bayan Lepas?
Expats usually find Bayan Lepas gentler on the wallet – expenses run 180% less than in Lisbon. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.