😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,210 in Lisbon versus $1,433 in Bielsko-biala.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,311 in Lisbon versus $2,149 in Bielsko-biala.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,411 in Lisbon versus $2,865 in Bielsko-biala.
😐Living in Lisbon is roughly 54% more expensive than Bielsko-biala, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Lisbon65% above, Bielsko-biala7% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Lisbon
Bielsko-biala
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$15.91€13.70
$10.13zł 36.99
57.06%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$64.8€55.8
$47.70zł 174
35.79%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.51€9.05
$8.19zł 29.90
28.33%
Cappuccino
$2.87€2.47
$3.55zł 12.95
-19.15%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.24€1.93
$0.93zł 3.38
140.86%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.50€1.30
$1.19zł 4.35
26.05%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.49€3.01
$3.30zł 12.05
5.76%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.88€3.34
$3.55zł 12.97
9.30%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lisbon
Bielsko-biala
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.14€0.98
$1.04zł 3.79
9.62%
White Bread(500g)
$1.75€1.51
$1.24zł 4.51
41.13%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.76€1.51
$1.21zł 4.43
45.45%
Eggs
$3.22€2.77
$3.06zł 11.18
5.23%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.49€11.62
$8.53zł 31.16
58.15%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.91€6.81
$6.88zł 25.15
14.97%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.87€13.67
$10.61zł 38.76
49.58%
Apples(1kg)
$2.31€1.99
$1.16zł 4.23
99.14%
Banana(1kg)
$1.70€1.46
$1.72zł 6.27
-1.16%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.01€1.73
$1.92zł 7.02
4.69%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.46€2.12
$2.70zł 9.85
-8.89%
Potato(1kg)
$1.84€1.59
$0.91zł 3.32
102.20%
Onion(1kg)
$2.00€1.72
$0.77zł 2.83
159.74%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.93€1.66
$1.07zł 3.92
80.37%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.79€0.68
$0.54zł 1.99
46.30%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.61€5.69
$4.66zł 17.04
41.85%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.72€4.93
$6.98zł 25.50
-18.05%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.37€1.18
$1.21zł 4.42
13.22%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.97€2.56
$1.86zł 6.80
59.68%
🚌 Getting Around
Lisbon
Bielsko-biala
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.37€2.04
$1.13zł 4.14
109.73%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$45.56€39.23
$29.80zł 109
52.89%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.29€3.69
$1.52zł 5.54
182.24%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.82€0.70
$0.52zł 1.88
57.69%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$18.30€15.76
$10.27zł 37.52
78.19%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.06€1.78
$1.69zł 6.19
21.89%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.3K€29.5K
$34.0Kzł 124.0K
0.97%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$39.3K€33.8K
$29.7Kzł 108.4K
32.38%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lisbon
Bielsko-biala
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$148€127
$326zł 1,192
-54.66%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$20.52€17.67
$8.30zł 30.33
147.23%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$39.61€34.11
$16.77zł 61.3
136.20%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lisbon
Bielsko-biala
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$47.85€41.20
$30.66zł 112
56.07%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.92€16.29
$16.11zł 58.8
17.44%
Cinema Ticket
$9.18€7.91
$6.74zł 24.62
36.20%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lisbon
Bielsko-biala
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$614€529
$275zł 1,005
123.14%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$16.0K€13.8K
$2,600zł 9,498
517.25%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lisbon
Bielsko-biala
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$105€90.1
$92.7zł 338
12.95%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.06€36.22
$31.46zł 115
33.69%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$94.0€80.9
$77.0zł 281
22.04%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$120€103
$94.8zł 346
26.17%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lisbon
Bielsko-biala
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,628€1,402
$727zł 2,655
123.93%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,255€1,081
$496zł 1,812
153.02%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,030€2,609
$2,255zł 8,239
34.34%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,020€1,740
$932zł 3,403
116.85%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,800€6,716
$2,432zł 8,884
220.72%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,273€3,679
$2,070zł 7,563
106.38%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Lisbon
Bielsko-biala
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,603€1,381
$1,447zł 5,286
10.81%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.81
6.3
-39.52%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Lisbon: June 1, 2026
Last update for Bielsko-biala: June 2, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,628 in Lisbon and $727 in Bielsko-biala. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Lisbon pays 11% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $65.0 in Lisbon vs $48.00 in Bielsko-biala for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $269 vs $208 per month, with Bielsko-biala 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 Bielsko-biala: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Lisbon and Bielsko-biala?
Lisbon and Bielsko-biala differ by about 54% in total monthly costs ($2,210 vs $1,433 including rent). Bielsko-biala is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Lisbon or Bielsko-biala?
Lisbon pays 11% more on average, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How do apartment prices compare in Lisbon and Bielsko-biala?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,628 in Lisbon versus $727 in Bielsko-biala. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do commuting costs compare in Lisbon and Bielsko-biala?
A monthly transit pass in Bielsko-biala runs roughly 53% less than in Lisbon. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Lisbon and Bielsko-biala?
Childcare runs $614 in Lisbon versus $275 in Bielsko-biala. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $1,433 in Bielsko-biala versus $2,210 in Lisbon, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Bielsko-biala but tight or insufficient in Lisbon. The gap between the two cities makes Bielsko-biala the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Lisbon and Bielsko-biala?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Lisbon or Bielsko-biala safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Lisbon and Bielsko-biala 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 Bielsko-biala?
Expats usually find Bielsko-biala gentler on the wallet – expenses run 54% less than in Lisbon. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.