😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,268 in Lisbon versus $1,518 in Bielsko-biala.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,348 in Lisbon versus $2,232 in Bielsko-biala.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,429 in Lisbon versus $2,946 in Bielsko-biala.
🌍Living in Lisbon is roughly 49% more expensive than in Bielsko-biala, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Lisbon64% above, Bielsko-biala10% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Lisbon
Bielsko-biala
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.55€15.12
$10.08zł 37.53
74.11%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$64.5€55.6
$48.11zł 179
34.05%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.65€10.04
$9.61zł 35.79
21.23%
Cappuccino
$3.26€2.81
$3.86zł 14.35
-15.54%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.49€2.15
$2.24zł 8.33
11.16%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.67€1.44
$1.38zł 5.14
21.01%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.47€2.99
$4.03zł 15.00
-13.90%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.58€3.08
$3.92zł 14.60
-8.67%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lisbon
Bielsko-biala
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.18€1.02
$1.08zł 4.01
9.26%
White Bread(500g)
$1.95€1.68
$1.17zł 4.36
66.67%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.56€1.35
$1.45zł 5.41
7.59%
Eggs
$4.01€3.46
$3.06zł 11.39
31.05%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.27€11.44
$8.63zł 32.15
53.77%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.42€7.26
$6.11zł 22.74
37.81%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$18.23€15.72
$10.19zł 37.93
78.90%
Apples(1kg)
$2.32€2.00
$1.21zł 4.52
91.74%
Banana(1kg)
$1.73€1.49
$1.75zł 6.52
-1.14%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.93€1.67
$2.22zł 8.28
-13.06%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.64€2.27
$1.97zł 7.33
34.01%
Potato(1kg)
$1.90€1.64
$0.88zł 3.26
115.91%
Onion(1kg)
$2.11€1.82
$0.79zł 2.94
167.09%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.44€1.24
$1.09zł 4.07
32.11%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.80€0.69
$0.67zł 2.50
19.40%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$7.01€6.04
$5.34zł 19.89
31.27%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.92€5.11
$6.89zł 25.64
-14.08%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.36€1.18
$1.20zł 4.47
13.33%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.15€1.85
$1.70zł 6.35
26.47%
🚌 Getting Around
Lisbon
Bielsko-biala
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.38€2.05
$1.32zł 4.92
80.30%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$46.22€39.85
$37.22zł 139
24.18%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.19€3.61
$1.63zł 6.06
157.06%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.10€0.95
$0.56zł 2.09
96.43%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$17.26€14.88
$9.82zł 36.56
75.76%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.25€1.94
$1.66zł 6.17
35.54%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.5K€29.7K
$31.6Kzł 117.7K
9.06%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$41.6K€35.9K
$27.9Kzł 103.8K
49.27%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lisbon
Bielsko-biala
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$171€147
$313zł 1,167
-45.47%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$19.01€16.38
$9.28zł 34.55
104.85%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$34.28€29.55
$18.53zł 69.0
85.00%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lisbon
Bielsko-biala
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$49.65€42.80
$44.16zł 164
12.43%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.51€16.81
$48.02zł 179
-59.37%
Cinema Ticket
$10.10€8.71
$7.62zł 28.38
32.55%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lisbon
Bielsko-biala
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$699€603
$299zł 1,113
133.80%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$17.8K€15.3K
$2,601zł 9,684
583.14%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lisbon
Bielsko-biala
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$105€90.2
$77.6zł 289
34.85%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$47.97€41.35
$42.37zł 158
13.22%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$102€87.8
$94.8zł 353
7.44%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$128€111
$102zł 381
25.33%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lisbon
Bielsko-biala
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,661€1,432
$629zł 2,342
164.09%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,228€1,059
$519zł 1,931
136.87%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,915€2,513
$1,049zł 3,905
177.98%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,023€1,744
$912zł 3,396
121.86%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$8,129€7,007
$2,539zł 9,453
220.17%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,635€3,996
$2,111zł 7,862
119.53%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Lisbon
Bielsko-biala
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,619€1,396
$1,464zł 5,451
10.60%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.78
6.87
-44.98%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Lisbon: September 5, 2026
Last update for Bielsko-biala: September 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,661 in Lisbon and $629 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: $64.0 in Lisbon vs $48.00 in Bielsko-biala for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $281 vs $203 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 in Bielsko-biala?
Lisbon and Bielsko-biala differ by about 49% in total monthly costs ($2,268 vs $1,518 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?
Average pay runs 11% higher in Lisbon, 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 in Bielsko-biala?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,661 in Lisbon versus $629 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 in Bielsko-biala?
A monthly transit pass in Bielsko-biala runs roughly 24% 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 $699 in Lisbon versus $299 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 $1,518 in Bielsko-biala versus $2,268 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 49% less than in Lisbon. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.