😐A single person spends $2,210 per month in Lisbon vs $1,405 in Bialystok, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $3,311 per month in Lisbon vs $2,014 in Bialystok, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $4,411 per month in Lisbon vs $2,622 in Bialystok, rent included.
😐Lisbon costs about 57% more than Bialystok, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both Lisbon and Bialystok sit above the global median – Lisbon by 65%, Bialystok by 5%.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Lisbon
Bialystok
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$15.91€13.69
$9.65zł 35.19
64.87%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$64.8€55.7
$48.53zł 177
33.46%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.51€9.04
$8.01zł 29.21
31.21%
Cappuccino
$2.87€2.47
$3.11zł 11.33
-7.72%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.24€1.93
$1.92zł 7.01
16.67%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.50€1.29
$1.63zł 5.93
-7.98%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.49€3.00
$3.35zł 12.23
4.18%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.88€3.34
$3.01zł 10.95
28.90%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lisbon
Bialystok
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.14€0.98
$1.03zł 3.76
10.68%
White Bread(500g)
$1.75€1.51
$1.18zł 4.31
48.31%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.76€1.51
$1.17zł 4.25
50.43%
Eggs
$3.22€2.77
$3.04zł 11.07
5.92%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.49€11.61
$8.45zł 30.78
59.64%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.91€6.81
$6.00zł 21.86
31.83%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.87€13.65
$10.64zł 38.80
49.15%
Apples(1kg)
$2.31€1.99
$0.90zł 3.27
156.67%
Banana(1kg)
$1.70€1.46
$1.72zł 6.29
-1.16%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.01€1.73
$1.73zł 6.31
16.18%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.46€2.12
$2.12zł 7.72
16.04%
Potato(1kg)
$1.84€1.59
$0.92zł 3.36
100.00%
Onion(1kg)
$2.00€1.72
$1.02zł 3.72
96.08%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.93€1.66
$1.20zł 4.37
60.83%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.79€0.68
$0.60zł 2.18
31.67%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.61€5.68
$5.30zł 19.33
24.72%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.72€4.92
$6.64zł 24.22
-13.86%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.37€1.17
$1.24zł 4.53
10.48%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.97€2.56
$1.61zł 5.88
84.47%
🚌 Getting Around
Lisbon
Bialystok
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.37€2.04
$1.06zł 3.86
123.58%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$45.56€39.19
$35.70zł 130
27.62%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.29€3.69
$2.14zł 7.79
100.47%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.82€0.70
$0.49zł 1.78
67.35%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$18.30€15.74
$12.39zł 45.17
47.70%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.06€1.78
$1.67zł 6.09
23.35%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.3K€29.5K
$34.2Kzł 124.6K
0.26%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$39.3K€33.8K
$29.6Kzł 108.0K
32.65%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lisbon
Bialystok
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$148€127
$308zł 1,122
-51.94%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$20.52€17.65
$8.13zł 29.62
152.40%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$39.61€34.08
$16.79zł 61.2
135.91%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lisbon
Bialystok
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$47.85€41.16
$37.15zł 135
28.80%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.92€16.28
$19.18zł 69.9
-1.36%
Cinema Ticket
$9.18€7.90
$6.92zł 25.24
32.66%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lisbon
Bialystok
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$614€528
$339zł 1,234
81.35%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$16.0K€13.8K
$9,355zł 34.1K
71.56%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lisbon
Bialystok
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$105€90.0
$92.0zł 335
13.72%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.06€36.18
$30.51zł 111
37.86%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$94.0€80.8
$74.5zł 271
26.19%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$120€103
$94.4zł 344
26.80%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lisbon
Bialystok
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,628€1,400
$533zł 1,942
205.55%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,255€1,080
$485zł 1,768
158.86%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,030€2,607
$855zł 3,117
254.34%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,020€1,738
$724zł 2,638
179.20%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,800€6,709
$2,809zł 10.2K
177.66%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,273€3,675
$2,480zł 9,042
72.26%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Lisbon
Bialystok
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,603€1,379
$1,569zł 5,720
2.18%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.81
6.47
-41.11%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Lisbon: June 1, 2026
Last update for Bialystok: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $1,628 in Lisbon versus $533 in Bialystok. 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 2% higher in Lisbon, 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 $49.00 in Bialystok. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $269 vs $198 – making Bialystok 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 Bialystok: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Lisbon or Bialystok?
Lisbon costs about 57% more than Bialystok, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Lisbon vs Bialystok?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,315 per month in Lisbon and $2,107 in Bialystok. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Lisbon or Bialystok?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Bialystok, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do childcare costs compare in Lisbon and Bialystok?
Kindergarten costs $614 per month in Lisbon and $339 in Bialystok. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Lisbon or Bialystok?
Groceries cost about 36% more in Lisbon, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Lisbon or Bialystok?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Bialystok, where all-in costs run around $1,405, than in Lisbon at $2,210. In Bialystok it covers expenses comfortably, while in Lisbon it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Lisbon or Bialystok?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Bialystok costs $1,405 versus $2,210 in Lisbon. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Lisbon compared to Bialystok?
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.
Should I move to Lisbon or Bialystok?
If budget matters most, go with Bialystok. 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.