🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,263 in Lisbon versus $2,458 in Bismarck, ND.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,315 in Lisbon versus $3,447 in Bismarck, ND.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,368 in Lisbon versus $4,435 in Bismarck, ND.
🙂Living in Lisbon costs roughly 8% less than in Bismarck, ND, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Lisbon68% above, Bismarck, ND83% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Lisbon
Bismarck, ND
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$15.94€13.73
$43.20$43.20
-63.10%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$63.4€54.6
$74.0$74.0
-14.35%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.38€8.95
$14.96$14.96
-30.61%
Cappuccino
$2.79€2.40
$5.10$5.10
-45.29%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.34€2.01
$2.36$2.36
-0.85%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.57€1.35
$1.76$1.76
-10.80%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.43€2.95
$5.83$5.83
-41.17%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.91€3.37
$6.96$6.96
-43.82%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lisbon
Bismarck, ND
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.08€0.93
$1.05$1.05
2.86%
White Bread(500g)
$1.77€1.52
$2.72$2.72
-34.93%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.71€1.47
$4.31$4.31
-60.32%
Eggs
$3.15€2.71
$4.16$4.16
-24.28%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.68€11.79
$12.02$12.02
13.81%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.01€6.90
$14.46$14.46
-44.61%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.52€13.37
$15.36$15.36
1.04%
Apples(1kg)
$2.29€1.98
$5.05$5.05
-54.65%
Banana(1kg)
$1.64€1.41
$1.62$1.62
1.23%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.94€1.67
$4.17$4.17
-53.48%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.51€2.17
$4.61$4.61
-45.55%
Potato(1kg)
$1.79€1.54
$2.91$2.91
-38.49%
Onion(1kg)
$2.01€1.73
$2.91$2.91
-30.93%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.97€1.69
$2.13$2.13
-7.51%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84€0.73
$2.20$2.20
-61.82%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.79€5.85
$8.31$8.31
-18.29%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.67€4.89
$19.74$19.74
-71.28%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.39€1.20
$1.82$1.82
-23.63%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.02€2.60
$3.33$3.33
-9.31%
🚌 Getting Around
Lisbon
Bismarck, ND
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.27€1.95
$2.03$2.03
11.82%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$45.44€39.15
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.29€3.70
$3.56$3.56
20.51%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.85€0.73
$1.60$1.60
-46.88%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$18.28€15.75
$28.85$28.85
-36.64%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.99€1.71
$0.87$0.87
128.74%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.0K€30.2K
$30.1K$30.1K
16.43%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$39.5K€34.1K
$25.4K$25.4K
55.94%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lisbon
Bismarck, ND
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$146€126
$190$190
-23.25%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$20.45€17.62
$69.7$69.7
-70.65%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$38.98€33.58
$90.9$90.9
-57.13%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lisbon
Bismarck, ND
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$48.98€42.21
$42.83$42.83
14.36%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.83€16.22
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$9.52€8.21
$13.32$13.32
-28.53%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lisbon
Bismarck, ND
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$608€524
$1,293$1,293
-52.96%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$16.5K€14.2K
$23.7K$23.7K
-30.27%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lisbon
Bismarck, ND
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$104€89.5
$50.4$50.4
106.21%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.12€36.29
$40.56$40.56
3.85%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$92.2€79.5
$66.7$66.7
38.36%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$120€103
$112$112
6.92%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lisbon
Bismarck, ND
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,621€1,397
$1,208$1,208
34.27%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,268€1,092
$1,007$1,007
25.89%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,048€2,626
$1,628$1,628
87.22%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,009€1,731
$1,174$1,174
71.11%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,663€6,602
$2,008$2,008
281.62%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,329€3,730
$2,040$2,040
112.16%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Lisbon
Bismarck, ND
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,585€1,366
$3,965$3,965
-60.03%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.81
7.13
-46.56%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Lisbon: June 8, 2026
Last update for Bismarck, ND: June 8, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,621 in Lisbon and $1,208 in Bismarck, ND. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Bismarck, ND pays 150% 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: $63.0 in Lisbon vs $74.0 in Bismarck, ND for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $269 vs $406 per month, with Lisbon 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 Bismarck, ND: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Lisbon and Bismarck, ND?
Lisbon and Bismarck, ND differ by about 9% in total monthly costs ($2,263 vs $2,458 including rent). Lisbon is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, Bismarck, ND earns 150% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do apartment prices compare in Lisbon and Bismarck, ND?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,621 in Lisbon versus $1,208 in Bismarck, ND. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Lisbon and Bismarck, ND?
Childcare runs $608 in Lisbon versus $1,293 in Bismarck, ND. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Lisbon – a meal for two runs $63.0 versus $74.0 in Bismarck, ND. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more doable on $3,000 per month?
At $2,263 in Lisbon versus $2,458 in Bismarck, ND, a $3,000 budget is realistic in Lisbon but tight or insufficient in Bismarck, ND. The gap between the two cities makes Lisbon the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Lisbon and Bismarck, ND?
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 Bismarck, ND safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Lisbon and Bismarck, ND 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 Bismarck, ND?
Expats usually find Lisbon gentler on the wallet – expenses run 9% less than in Bismarck, ND. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.