Cost of Living Comparison Between Lisbon and BudvaCost of Living Comparison Between Lisbon and Budva
Monthly Cost of Living
😐A single person spends $2,291 per month in Lisbon vs $1,710 in Budva, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $3,322 per month in Lisbon vs $2,776 in Budva, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $4,354 per month in Lisbon vs $3,842 in Budva, rent included.
😐Lisbon costs about 34% more than Budva, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both Lisbon and Budva sit above the global median – Lisbon by 71%, Budva by 28%.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Lisbon
Budva
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$16.19€14.15
$16.23€14.18
-0.25%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$63.3€55.3
$67.1€58.6
-5.55%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.32€9.02
$11.70€10.22
-11.79%
Cappuccino
$2.83€2.47
$2.97€2.60
-4.71%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.29€2.00
$2.18€1.90
5.05%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.58€1.38
$1.43€1.25
10.49%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.40€2.97
$3.57€3.12
-4.76%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.03€3.52
$3.83€3.35
5.22%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lisbon
Budva
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09€0.95
$1.43€1.25
-23.78%
White Bread(500g)
$1.75€1.53
$1.10€0.96
59.09%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.76€1.54
$2.46€2.15
-28.46%
Eggs
$3.17€2.77
$3.16€2.76
0.32%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.19€11.53
$8.84€7.72
49.21%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.97€6.96
$8.39€7.33
-5.01%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.53€13.57
$11.81€10.32
31.50%
Apples(1kg)
$2.37€2.07
$1.28€1.12
85.16%
Banana(1kg)
$1.71€1.49
$1.71€1.50
-
Oranges(1kg)
$2.01€1.75
$1.69€1.47
18.93%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.43€2.12
$2.85€2.49
-14.74%
Potato(1kg)
$1.76€1.54
$1.03€0.90
70.87%
Onion(1kg)
$2.03€1.78
$1.25€1.09
62.40%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.92€1.68
$1.72€1.50
11.63%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.85€0.74
$1.20€1.05
-29.17%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.58€5.75
$4.52€3.95
45.58%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.58€4.87
$6.66€5.82
-16.22%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.33€1.16
$1.23€1.08
8.13%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.97€2.60
$1.73€1.51
71.68%
🚌 Getting Around
Lisbon
Budva
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.28€1.99
$2.26€1.97
0.88%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$45.79€40.01
$40.95€35.78
11.82%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.23€3.69
$1.19€1.04
255.46%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.81€0.71
$1.06€0.92
-23.58%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$18.44€16.11
$17.09€14.93
7.90%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.08€1.82
$1.70€1.48
22.35%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.7K€30.3K
$30.3K€26.5K
14.27%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$39.2K€34.2K
$26.7K€23.3K
46.81%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lisbon
Budva
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$148€129
$157€137
-5.54%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$20.46€17.88
$18.18€15.88
12.54%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$39.56€34.56
$32.60€28.48
21.35%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lisbon
Budva
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$47.99€41.93
$62.0€54.2
-22.62%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.60€16.25
$24.38€21.30
-23.71%
Cinema Ticket
$9.22€8.06
$5.73€5.01
60.91%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lisbon
Budva
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$616€538
$416€363
48.22%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$16.4K€14.4K
$10.3K€8,965
60.23%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lisbon
Budva
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$103€89.7
$115€100
-10.34%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$41.74€36.47
$48.45€42.33
-13.85%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$94.8€82.8
$110€96.1
-13.82%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$122€107
$204€178
-40.18%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lisbon
Budva
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,633€1,426
$965€843
69.15%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,232€1,077
$694€607
77.50%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,098€2,707
$1,773€1,549
74.79%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,031€1,775
$1,396€1,220
45.50%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,831€6,842
$4,264€3,726
83.63%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,389€3,835
$3,079€2,690
42.57%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Lisbon
Budva
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,607€1,404
$1,021€892
57.37%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.81
5.93
-35.75%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Lisbon: July 14, 2026
Last update for Budva: July 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $1,633 in Lisbon versus $965 in Budva. 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 57% 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 $63.0 in Lisbon versus $67.0 in Budva. Groceries tell a different story – $267 in Lisbon vs $239 in Budva – so Budva wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.
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 Budva: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Lisbon and in Budva compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $2,291 in Lisbon, $1,710 in Budva – roughly 34% apart. Lisbon costs more across the board, with Clothing & Footwear showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Lisbon compared to Budva?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,437 per month in Lisbon and $2,565 in Budva. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Lisbon and Budva?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Budva, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city is more expensive overall: Lisbon or Budva?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $2,291 in Lisbon and $1,710 in Budva. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
How do commuting costs compare in Lisbon and in Budva?
Public transport costs about 12% less in Budva. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
Which city is more doable on $3,000 per month?
A $3,000 monthly budget goes further in Budva, where all-in costs run around $1,710, than in Lisbon at $2,291. In Budva it covers expenses comfortably, while in Lisbon it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Lisbon and Budva?
It depends on your priorities. Lisbon has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,710 in Budva to $2,291 in Lisbon. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Lisbon or Budva safer for residents?
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.
How do I decide between Lisbon and Budva?
If budget matters most, go with Budva. 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.