🙂A single person spends $2,243 per month in Lisbon vs $2,677 in Bel Air, MD, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $3,315 per month in Lisbon vs $3,837 in Bel Air, MD, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $4,387 per month in Lisbon vs $4,998 in Bel Air, MD, rent included.
🙂Lisbon is about 16% cheaper than Bel Air, MD, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both Lisbon and Bel Air, MD sit above the global median – Lisbon by 67%, Bel Air, MD by 100%.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Lisbon
Bel Air, MD
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$15.73€13.42
$15.88$15.88
-0.94%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$63.2€53.9
$68.7$68.7
-8.10%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.32€8.80
$9.88$9.88
4.45%
Cappuccino
$2.81€2.40
$5.32$5.32
-47.18%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.33€1.99
$1.77$1.77
31.64%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.51€1.29
$1.70$1.70
-11.18%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.37€2.87
$6.39$6.39
-47.26%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.91€3.34
$6.36$6.36
-38.52%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lisbon
Bel Air, MD
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.08€0.92
$1.00$1.00
8.00%
White Bread(500g)
$1.75€1.49
$3.59$3.59
-51.25%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.75€1.50
$4.34$4.34
-59.68%
Eggs
$3.10€2.64
$4.28$4.28
-27.57%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.28€11.33
$12.13$12.13
9.48%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.85€6.70
$11.45$11.45
-31.44%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$16.05€13.69
$15.24$15.24
5.31%
Apples(1kg)
$2.39€2.04
$4.82$4.82
-50.41%
Banana(1kg)
$1.72€1.47
$1.57$1.57
9.55%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.97€1.68
$4.31$4.31
-54.29%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.55€2.17
$4.81$4.81
-46.99%
Potato(1kg)
$1.79€1.53
$2.83$2.83
-36.75%
Onion(1kg)
$1.97€1.68
$2.77$2.77
-28.88%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.96€1.67
$2.03$2.03
-3.45%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84€0.71
$2.09$2.09
-59.81%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.82€5.82
$9.46$9.46
-27.91%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.85€4.99
$15.20$15.20
-61.51%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.38€1.18
$1.80$1.80
-23.33%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.92€2.49
$3.41$3.41
-14.37%
🚌 Getting Around
Lisbon
Bel Air, MD
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.29€1.95
$2.04$2.04
12.25%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$46.88€39.99
$98.1$98.1
-52.20%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.12€3.51
$3.56$3.56
15.73%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.81€0.69
$1.61$1.61
-49.69%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$18.94€16.16
$29.06$29.06
-34.82%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.09€1.78
$0.85$0.85
145.88%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.1K€30.0K
$29.7K$29.7K
18.06%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$39.7K€33.9K
$25.9K$25.9K
53.31%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lisbon
Bel Air, MD
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$150€128
$185$185
-19.16%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$20.49€17.48
$51.8$51.8
-60.44%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$39.15€33.40
$68.4$68.4
-42.74%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lisbon
Bel Air, MD
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$49.65€42.35
$43.59$43.59
13.90%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.47€15.76
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$9.20€7.84
$13.33$13.33
-30.98%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lisbon
Bel Air, MD
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$624€533
$1,321$1,321
-52.72%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$15.9K€13.6K
$23.1K$23.1K
-31.14%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lisbon
Bel Air, MD
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$102€87.2
$50.3$50.3
103.12%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$40.88€34.87
$39.59$39.59
3.26%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$95.7€81.6
$85.6$85.6
11.85%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$121€103
$114$114
6.63%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lisbon
Bel Air, MD
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,653€1,410
$1,629$1,629
1.49%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,233€1,051
$1,333$1,333
-7.54%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,043€2,596
$2,636$2,636
15.45%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,059€1,756
$2,260$2,260
-8.90%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,879€6,720
$2,744$2,744
187.12%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,303€3,671
$2,014$2,014
113.63%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Lisbon
Bel Air, MD
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,566€1,336
$5,243$5,243
-70.13%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.81
6.51
-41.47%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Lisbon: April 21, 2026
Last update for Bel Air, MD: April 20, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $1,653 in Lisbon versus $1,629 in Bel Air, MD. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
💰Salaries run about 235% higher in Bel Air, MD, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $63 in Lisbon versus $69 in Bel Air, MD. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $270 vs $388 – 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 Bel Air, MD: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Lisbon and Bel Air, MD compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $2,243 in Lisbon, $2,677 in Bel Air, MD – roughly 19% apart. Bel Air, MD costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Lisbon compared to Bel Air, MD?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,365 per month in Lisbon and $4,015 in Bel Air, MD. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Lisbon and Bel Air, MD?
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.
Which city is more expensive overall: Lisbon or Bel Air, MD?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $2,243 in Lisbon and $2,677 in Bel Air, MD. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
How do commuting costs compare in Lisbon and Bel Air, MD?
Public transport costs about 109% less in Lisbon. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
Which city is feasible on a $3,000 budget?
$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $2,243 in Lisbon and $2,677 in Bel Air, MD. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.
How does quality of life compare between Lisbon and Bel Air, MD?
It depends on your priorities. Lisbon has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $2,243 in Lisbon to $2,677 in Bel Air, MD. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Lisbon or Bel Air, MD safer for residents?
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.
How do I decide between Lisbon and Bel Air, MD?
If budget matters most, go with Lisbon. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Bel Air, MD makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.