๐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,210 in Lisbon versus $1,213 in Beliลกฤe.
๐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,311 in Lisbon versus $1,820 in Beliลกฤe.
๐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,411 in Lisbon versus $2,427 in Beliลกฤe.
๐Living in Lisbon is roughly 82% more expensive than Beliลกฤe, driven mainly by Eating Out.
๐The two cities straddle the global median: Lisbon is 65% above, Beliลกฤe is 9% below.
Currency
๐ฝ Eating Out
Lisbon
Beliลกฤe
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$15.91โฌ13.69
$8.27โฌ7.11
92.38%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$64.8โฌ55.7
$40.47โฌ34.81
60.04%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.51โฌ9.04
$6.92โฌ5.95
51.88%
Cappuccino
$2.87โฌ2.47
$2.14โฌ1.84
34.11%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.24โฌ1.93
$2.26โฌ1.95
-0.88%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.50โฌ1.29
$2.09โฌ1.79
-28.23%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.49โฌ3.00
$2.35โฌ2.02
48.51%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.88โฌ3.34
$2.37โฌ2.04
63.71%
๐ Groceries & Markets
Lisbon
Beliลกฤe
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.14โฌ0.98
$0.91โฌ0.78
25.27%
White Bread(500g)
$1.75โฌ1.51
$0.66โฌ0.57
165.15%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.76โฌ1.51
$2.82โฌ2.43
-37.59%
Eggs
$3.22โฌ2.77
$3.14โฌ2.70
2.55%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.49โฌ11.61
$10.84โฌ9.32
24.45%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.91โฌ6.81
$7.65โฌ6.58
3.40%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.87โฌ13.65
$11.29โฌ9.71
40.57%
Apples(1kg)
$2.31โฌ1.99
$1.18โฌ1.02
95.76%
Banana(1kg)
$1.70โฌ1.46
$1.37โฌ1.18
24.09%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.01โฌ1.73
$1.60โฌ1.38
25.62%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.46โฌ2.12
$2.52โฌ2.17
-2.38%
Potato(1kg)
$1.84โฌ1.59
$0.91โฌ0.78
102.20%
Onion(1kg)
$2.00โฌ1.72
$1.22โฌ1.05
63.93%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.93โฌ1.66
$1.22โฌ1.05
58.20%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.79โฌ0.68
$0.95โฌ0.82
-16.84%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.61โฌ5.68
$5.67โฌ4.88
16.58%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.72โฌ4.92
$7.77โฌ6.69
-26.38%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.37โฌ1.17
$1.19โฌ1.02
15.13%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.97โฌ2.56
$2.02โฌ1.74
47.03%
๐ Getting Around
Lisbon
Beliลกฤe
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.37โฌ2.04
$1.69โฌ1.46
40.24%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$45.56โฌ39.19
$42.34โฌ36.42
7.61%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.29โฌ3.69
$3.81โฌ3.28
12.60%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.82โฌ0.70
$1.10โฌ0.95
-25.45%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$18.30โฌ15.74
$5.71โฌ4.91
220.49%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.06โฌ1.78
$1.66โฌ1.42
24.10%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.3Kโฌ29.5K
$32.6Kโฌ28.0K
5.23%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$39.3Kโฌ33.8K
$26.5Kโฌ22.8K
48.20%
๐งพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lisbon
Beliลกฤe
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$148โฌ127
$124โฌ107
19.01%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$20.52โฌ17.65
$18.07โฌ15.54
13.56%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$39.61โฌ34.08
$26.21โฌ22.55
51.13%
๐ Sport & Entertainment
Lisbon
Beliลกฤe
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$47.85โฌ41.16
$25.53โฌ21.96
87.43%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.92โฌ16.28
$14.98โฌ12.88
26.30%
Cinema Ticket
$9.18โฌ7.90
$5.26โฌ4.53
74.52%
๐งธ Childcare & Education
Lisbon
Beliลกฤe
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$614โฌ528
$345โฌ297
77.76%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$16.0Kโฌ13.8K
$2,799โฌ2,407
473.45%
๐๐ Clothing & Footwear
Lisbon
Beliลกฤe
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$105โฌ90.0
$123โฌ106
-14.77%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.06โฌ36.18
$43.74โฌ37.62
-3.84%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$94.0โฌ80.8
$46.48โฌ39.98
102.15%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$120โฌ103
$57.4โฌ49.33
108.65%
๐ Accommodation & Living
Lisbon
Beliลกฤe
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,628โฌ1,400
$191โฌ164
752.29%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,255โฌ1,080
$464โฌ399
170.30%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,030โฌ2,607
$347โฌ298
774.24%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,020โฌ1,738
$771โฌ663
161.94%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,800โฌ6,709
$4,078โฌ3,508
91.28%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,273โฌ3,675
$1,241โฌ1,067
244.39%
๐ต Salaries & Financials
Lisbon
Beliลกฤe
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,603โฌ1,379
$1,884โฌ1,621
-14.89%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.81
3.2
19.06%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input โ minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Lisbon: June 1, 2026
Last update for Beliลกฤe: June 2, 2026
Cost Breakdown
๐ A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,628 in Lisbon and $191 in Beliลกฤe. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
๐ฐBeliลกฤe pays 17% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
๐Dining out: $65.0 in Lisbon vs $40.00 in Beliลกฤe for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $269 vs $224 per month, with Beliลกฤe 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 Beliลกฤe: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Lisbon and Beliลกฤe?
Lisbon and Beliลกฤe differ by about 82% in total monthly costs ($2,210 vs $1,213 including rent). Beliลกฤe is meaningfully more affordable โ a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, Beliลกฤe earns 17% less. 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 Beliลกฤe?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,628 in Lisbon versus $191 in Beliลกฤe. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Lisbon and Beliลกฤe?
Childcare runs $614 in Lisbon versus $345 in Beliลกฤe. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Supermarket bills run roughly 20% higher in Lisbon. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $1,213 in Beliลกฤe versus $2,210 in Lisbon, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Beliลกฤe but tight or insufficient in Lisbon. The gap between the two cities makes Beliลกฤe the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Lisbon and Beliลกฤe?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better โ the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Lisbon or Beliลกฤe safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Lisbon and Beliลกฤe 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 Beliลกฤe?
Expats usually find Beliลกฤe gentler on the wallet โ expenses run 82% less than in Lisbon. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.