😐A single person spends $2,268 per month in Lisbon vs $1,828 in Benidorm, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $3,348 per month in Lisbon vs $2,724 in Benidorm, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $4,429 per month in Lisbon vs $3,620 in Benidorm, rent included.
😐Lisbon costs about 24% more than Benidorm, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both Lisbon and Benidorm sit above the global median – Lisbon by 64%, Benidorm by 33%.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Lisbon
Benidorm
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.55€15.12
$17.92€15.44
-2.06%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$64.5€55.6
$52.6€45.33
22.65%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.65€10.04
$13.04€11.24
-10.66%
Cappuccino
$3.26€2.81
$2.30€1.99
41.74%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.49€2.15
$2.34€2.01
6.41%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.67€1.44
$1.23€1.06
35.77%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.47€2.99
$3.50€3.02
-0.86%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.58€3.08
$3.79€3.27
-5.54%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lisbon
Benidorm
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.18€1.02
$1.15€1.00
2.61%
White Bread(500g)
$1.95€1.68
$1.38€1.19
41.30%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.56€1.35
$1.47€1.27
6.12%
Eggs
$4.01€3.46
$3.43€2.96
16.91%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.27€11.44
$11.36€9.79
16.81%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.42€7.26
$7.78€6.71
8.23%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$18.23€15.72
$16.66€14.36
9.42%
Apples(1kg)
$2.32€2.00
$2.14€1.84
8.41%
Banana(1kg)
$1.73€1.49
$1.92€1.65
-9.90%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.93€1.67
$1.83€1.58
5.46%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.64€2.27
$2.60€2.24
1.54%
Potato(1kg)
$1.90€1.64
$1.68€1.45
13.10%
Onion(1kg)
$2.11€1.82
$1.93€1.66
9.33%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.44€1.24
$1.09€0.94
32.11%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.80€0.69
$0.44€0.38
81.82%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$7.01€6.04
$6.15€5.30
13.98%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.92€5.11
$5.19€4.47
14.07%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.36€1.18
$1.31€1.13
3.82%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.15€1.85
$1.52€1.31
41.45%
🚌 Getting Around
Lisbon
Benidorm
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.38€2.05
$1.87€1.61
27.27%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$46.22€39.85
$40.01€34.49
15.52%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.19€3.61
$4.62€3.98
-9.31%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.10€0.95
$1.40€1.20
-21.43%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$17.26€14.88
$24.74€21.32
-30.23%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.25€1.94
$1.70€1.47
32.35%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.5K€29.7K
$37.0K€31.9K
-6.74%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$41.6K€35.9K
$29.7K€25.6K
40.32%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lisbon
Benidorm
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$171€147
$160€138
7.04%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$19.01€16.38
$15.60€13.45
21.86%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$34.28€29.55
$33.34€28.74
2.82%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lisbon
Benidorm
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$49.65€42.80
$52.8€45.50
-5.95%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.51€16.81
$39.97€34.46
-51.19%
Cinema Ticket
$10.10€8.71
$11.17€9.63
-9.58%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lisbon
Benidorm
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$699€603
$403€348
73.42%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$17.8K€15.3K
$9,238€7,963
92.33%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lisbon
Benidorm
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$105€90.2
$95.3€82.1
9.79%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$47.97€41.35
$28.78€24.81
66.68%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$102€87.8
$70.0€60.4
45.51%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$128€111
$105€90.7
21.89%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lisbon
Benidorm
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,661€1,432
$1,056€910
57.36%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,228€1,059
$849€732
44.70%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,915€2,513
$1,830€1,578
59.28%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,023€1,744
$1,355€1,168
49.36%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$8,129€7,007
$5,350€4,612
51.94%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,635€3,996
$2,785€2,400
66.45%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Lisbon
Benidorm
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,619€1,396
$1,822€1,571
-11.13%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.78
3.3
14.55%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Lisbon: September 5, 2026
Last update for Benidorm: September 5, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $1,661 in Lisbon versus $1,056 in Benidorm. 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 13% higher in Benidorm, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $64.0 in Lisbon versus $53.0 in Benidorm. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $281 vs $249 – making Benidorm 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 Benidorm: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Benidorm cheaper than Lisbon?
Yes – Lisbon is pricier by about 24%, and the gap shows up most in Clothing & Footwear. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,402 per month in Lisbon and $2,741 in Benidorm. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Benidorm, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Kindergarten costs $699 per month in Lisbon and $403 in Benidorm. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
How do food prices compare in Lisbon and in Benidorm?
Groceries cost about 13% more in Lisbon, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Is $2,500 a realistic budget for living in Lisbon or in Benidorm?
A $2,500 monthly budget goes further in Benidorm, where all-in costs run around $1,828, than in Lisbon at $2,268. In Benidorm it covers expenses comfortably, while in Lisbon it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Lisbon or Benidorm more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Benidorm – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Lisbon or Benidorm?
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.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Benidorm. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Lisbon makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.