😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,280 in Lisbon versus $1,071 in Braganca.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,294 in Lisbon versus $1,566 in Braganca.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,307 in Lisbon versus $2,060 in Braganca.
🌍Living in Lisbon is roughly 113% more expensive than in Braganca, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Lisbon is 71% above, Braganca is 20% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Lisbon
Braganca
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$15.75€13.67
$9.47€8.22
66.31%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$63.5€55.1
$34.93€30.30
81.73%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.45€9.07
$9.00€7.81
16.11%
Cappuccino
$2.91€2.53
$1.58€1.37
84.18%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.29€1.99
$1.52€1.32
50.66%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.50€1.30
$0.92€0.80
63.04%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.56€3.09
$1.71€1.48
108.19%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.96€3.44
$2.97€2.58
33.33%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lisbon
Braganca
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.08€0.94
$1.10€0.96
-1.82%
White Bread(500g)
$1.76€1.53
$1.47€1.28
19.73%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.70€1.47
$1.38€1.20
23.19%
Eggs
$3.25€2.82
$3.01€2.61
7.97%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.25€11.49
$7.94€6.89
66.88%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.70€6.68
$5.65€4.90
36.28%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.77€13.68
$10.47€9.08
50.62%
Apples(1kg)
$2.28€1.98
$2.31€2.00
-1.30%
Banana(1kg)
$1.66€1.44
$1.52€1.32
9.21%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.02€1.75
$1.96€1.70
3.06%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.47€2.15
$2.53€2.19
-2.37%
Potato(1kg)
$1.79€1.55
$1.36€1.18
31.62%
Onion(1kg)
$2.07€1.79
$1.90€1.64
8.95%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.97€1.71
$1.69€1.46
16.57%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.83€0.72
$0.96€0.83
-13.54%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.55€5.69
$6.09€5.29
7.55%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.57€4.83
$4.49€3.89
24.05%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.33€1.15
$1.09€0.95
22.02%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.01€2.61
$2.28€1.98
32.02%
🚌 Getting Around
Lisbon
Braganca
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.27€1.97
$2.27€1.97
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$46.35€40.21
$11.73€10.18
295.14%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.23€3.67
$4.53€3.93
-6.62%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.85€0.74
$1.02€0.88
-16.67%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$18.83€16.33
$14.51€12.59
29.77%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.02€1.75
$1.92€1.67
5.21%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.0K€30.3K
$38.9K€33.7K
-10.11%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$39.6K€34.4K
$40.1K€34.8K
-1.07%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lisbon
Braganca
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$148€128
$136€118
9.15%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$20.52€17.80
$19.94€17.30
2.91%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$39.52€34.29
$29.03€25.18
36.14%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lisbon
Braganca
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$48.17€41.79
$35.15€30.49
37.04%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.39€15.95
$5.93€5.15
210.12%
Cinema Ticket
$9.10€7.89
$5.76€4.99
57.99%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lisbon
Braganca
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$615€533
$457€396
34.55%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$16.3K€14.1K
$8,327€7,223
95.58%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lisbon
Braganca
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$102€88.1
$23.24€20.16
337.05%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.09€36.51
$23.60€20.47
78.35%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$92.3€80.1
$92.1€79.9
0.20%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$122€106
$157€136
-22.39%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lisbon
Braganca
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,612€1,398
$443€385
263.42%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,254€1,088
$311€269
303.62%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,069€2,663
$758€658
304.78%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,037€1,767
$460€399
342.84%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,751€6,724
$1,101€955
604.07%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,286€3,718
$836€726
412.51%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Lisbon
Braganca
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,602€1,390
$1,182€1,025
35.54%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.81
5
-23.80%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Lisbon: July 27, 2026
Last update for Braganca: July 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,612 in Lisbon and $443 in Braganca. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Lisbon pays 36% 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 $35.00 in Braganca for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $267 vs $213 per month, with Braganca 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 Braganca: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Lisbon and in Braganca?
Lisbon and Braganca differ by about 113% in total monthly costs ($2,280 vs $1,071 including rent). Braganca is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Lisbon or Braganca?
Average pay runs 36% 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 Braganca?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,612 in Lisbon versus $443 in Braganca. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do commuting costs compare in Lisbon and in Braganca?
A monthly transit pass in Braganca runs roughly 295% 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 Braganca?
Childcare runs $615 in Lisbon versus $457 in Braganca. 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 $1,071 in Braganca versus $2,280 in Lisbon, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Braganca but tight or insufficient in Lisbon. The gap between the two cities makes Braganca the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Lisbon and Braganca?
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 Braganca safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Lisbon and Braganca 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 Braganca?
Expats usually find Braganca gentler on the wallet – expenses run 113% less than in Lisbon. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.