🙂A single person spends $2,210 per month in Lisbon vs $2,748 in Bethlehem, PA, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $3,311 per month in Lisbon vs $3,864 in Bethlehem, PA, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $4,411 per month in Lisbon vs $4,980 in Bethlehem, PA, rent included.
🙂Lisbon is about 20% cheaper than Bethlehem, PA, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both Lisbon and Bethlehem, PA sit above the global median – Lisbon by 65%, Bethlehem, PA by 105%.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Lisbon
Bethlehem, PA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$15.91€13.70
$18.31$18.31
-13.11%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$64.8€55.8
$50.3$50.3
28.72%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.51€9.05
$13.21$13.21
-20.44%
Cappuccino
$2.87€2.47
$5.09$5.09
-43.61%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.24€1.93
$2.92$2.92
-23.29%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.50€1.30
$1.92$1.92
-21.87%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.49€3.01
$5.27$5.27
-33.78%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.88€3.34
$7.90$7.90
-50.89%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lisbon
Bethlehem, PA
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.14€0.98
$1.05$1.05
8.57%
White Bread(500g)
$1.75€1.51
$4.10$4.10
-57.32%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.76€1.51
$4.42$4.42
-60.18%
Eggs
$3.22€2.77
$4.16$4.16
-22.60%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.49€11.62
$12.28$12.28
9.85%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.91€6.81
$17.13$17.13
-53.82%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.87€13.67
$21.89$21.89
-27.50%
Apples(1kg)
$2.31€1.99
$11.69$11.69
-80.24%
Banana(1kg)
$1.70€1.46
$1.36$1.36
25.00%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.01€1.73
$4.38$4.38
-54.11%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.46€2.12
$7.30$7.30
-66.30%
Potato(1kg)
$1.84€1.59
$5.40$5.40
-65.93%
Onion(1kg)
$2.00€1.72
$2.87$2.87
-30.31%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.93€1.66
$2.72$2.72
-29.04%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.79€0.68
$1.84$1.84
-57.07%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.61€5.69
$9.97$9.97
-33.70%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.72€4.93
$16.14$16.14
-64.56%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.37€1.18
$4.33$4.33
-68.36%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.97€2.56
$5.31$5.31
-44.07%
🚌 Getting Around
Lisbon
Bethlehem, PA
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.37€2.04
$2.04$2.04
16.18%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$45.56€39.23
$61.0$61.0
-25.32%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.29€3.69
$3.48$3.48
23.28%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.82€0.70
$1.65$1.65
-50.30%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$18.30€15.76
$28.94$28.94
-36.77%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.06€1.78
$0.89$0.89
131.46%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.3K€29.5K
$29.0K$29.0K
18.05%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$39.3K€33.8K
$25.7K$25.7K
52.79%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lisbon
Bethlehem, PA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$148€127
$223$223
-33.82%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$20.52€17.67
$63.4$63.4
-67.61%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$39.61€34.11
$62.1$62.1
-36.20%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lisbon
Bethlehem, PA
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$47.85€41.20
$36.41$36.41
31.42%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.92€16.29
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$9.18€7.91
$14.94$14.94
-38.55%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lisbon
Bethlehem, PA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$614€529
$1,005$1,005
-38.88%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$16.0K€13.8K
$23.4K$23.4K
-31.30%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lisbon
Bethlehem, PA
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$105€90.1
$55.8$55.8
87.56%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.06€36.22
$30.52$30.52
37.81%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$94.0€80.9
$66.4$66.4
41.46%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$120€103
$78.9$78.9
51.68%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lisbon
Bethlehem, PA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,628€1,402
$1,481$1,481
9.94%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,255€1,081
$1,313$1,313
-4.40%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,030€2,609
$2,126$2,126
42.51%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,020€1,740
$1,978$1,978
2.15%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,800€6,716
$2,112$2,112
269.25%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,273€3,679
$2,165$2,165
97.32%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Lisbon
Bethlehem, PA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,603€1,381
$3,574$3,574
-55.14%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.81
6.62
-42.45%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Lisbon: June 1, 2026
Last update for Bethlehem, PA: May 30, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $1,628 in Lisbon versus $1,481 in Bethlehem, PA. 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 123% higher in Bethlehem, PA, 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 $65.0 in Lisbon versus $50.0 in Bethlehem, PA. Groceries tell a different story – $269 in Lisbon vs $514 in Bethlehem, PA – so Lisbon wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.
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 Bethlehem, PA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Lisbon and Bethlehem, PA compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $2,210 in Lisbon, $2,748 in Bethlehem, PA – roughly 24% apart. Bethlehem, PA costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Lisbon compared to Bethlehem, PA?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,315 per month in Lisbon and $4,122 in Bethlehem, PA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Lisbon and Bethlehem, PA?
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 has cheaper restaurants?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $65.0 in Lisbon and $50.0 in Bethlehem, PA. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Which city is more expensive overall: Lisbon or Bethlehem, PA?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $2,210 in Lisbon and $2,748 in Bethlehem, PA. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Which city is feasible on a $3,000 budget?
$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $2,210 in Lisbon and $2,748 in Bethlehem, PA. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.
How does quality of life compare between Lisbon and Bethlehem, PA?
It depends on your priorities. Lisbon has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $2,210 in Lisbon to $2,748 in Bethlehem, PA. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Lisbon or Bethlehem, PA 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 Bethlehem, PA?
If budget matters most, go with Lisbon. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Bethlehem, PA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.