Cost of Living Comparison Between Lisbon and CalafatCost of Living Comparison Between Lisbon and Calafat
Monthly Cost of Living
😐A single person spends $2,280 per month in Lisbon vs $1,039 in Calafat, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $3,294 per month in Lisbon vs $1,539 in Calafat, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $4,307 per month in Lisbon vs $2,038 in Calafat, rent included.
😐Lisbon costs about 119% more than Calafat, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Lisbon sits 71% above the global median, while Calafat is 22% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Lisbon
Calafat
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$15.75€13.64
$9.15RON 41.62
72.13%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$63.5€55.0
$42.16RON 192
50.57%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.45€9.05
$7.86RON 35.73
32.95%
Cappuccino
$2.91€2.52
$2.35RON 10.70
23.83%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.29€1.98
$0.88RON 4.00
160.23%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.50€1.30
$0.89RON 4.05
68.54%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.56€3.09
$1.12RON 5.09
217.86%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.96€3.43
$2.08RON 9.46
90.38%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lisbon
Calafat
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.08€0.94
$1.30RON 5.89
-16.92%
White Bread(500g)
$1.76€1.53
$0.84RON 3.81
109.52%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.70€1.47
$1.49RON 6.76
14.09%
Eggs
$3.25€2.81
$2.50RON 11.35
30.00%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.25€11.47
$7.60RON 34.57
74.34%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.70€6.67
$6.75RON 30.68
14.07%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.77€13.66
$7.03RON 31.94
124.32%
Apples(1kg)
$2.28€1.97
$1.13RON 5.16
101.77%
Banana(1kg)
$1.66€1.43
$1.59RON 7.22
4.40%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.02€1.75
$1.42RON 6.44
42.25%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.47€2.14
$1.58RON 7.17
56.33%
Potato(1kg)
$1.79€1.55
$0.66RON 3.00
171.21%
Onion(1kg)
$2.07€1.79
$0.83RON 3.77
149.40%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.97€1.71
$0.84RON 3.83
134.52%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.83€0.72
$0.73RON 3.34
13.70%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.55€5.68
$5.92RON 26.94
10.64%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.57€4.82
$6.55RON 29.77
-14.96%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.33€1.15
$0.96RON 4.36
38.54%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.01€2.60
$2.13RON 9.69
41.31%
🚌 Getting Around
Lisbon
Calafat
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.27€1.97
$0.67RON 3.04
238.81%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$46.35€40.14
$19.92RON 90.6
132.68%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.23€3.66
$0.60RON 2.71
605.00%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.85€0.73
$0.50RON 2.26
70.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$18.83€16.31
$7.00RON 31.81
169.00%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.02€1.75
$1.57RON 7.12
28.66%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.0K€30.3K
$28.4KRON 129.0K
23.17%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$39.6K€34.3K
$27.6KRON 125.7K
43.40%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lisbon
Calafat
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$148€128
$206RON 938
-28.29%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$20.52€17.77
$8.14RON 37.00
152.09%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$39.52€34.23
$6.99RON 31.77
465.38%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lisbon
Calafat
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$48.17€41.72
$41.99RON 191
14.72%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.39€15.92
$19.47RON 88.5
-5.55%
Cinema Ticket
$9.10€7.88
$6.42RON 29.21
41.74%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lisbon
Calafat
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$615€532
$432RON 1,962
42.46%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$16.3K€14.1K
$8,832RON 40.2K
84.40%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lisbon
Calafat
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$102€88.0
$78.0RON 354
30.28%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.09€36.45
$37.32RON 170
12.78%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$92.3€79.9
$79.5RON 362
16.08%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$122€106
$85.7RON 390
42.42%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lisbon
Calafat
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,612€1,396
$393RON 1,786
310.20%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,254€1,086
$296RON 1,346
323.54%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,069€2,658
$595RON 2,705
415.82%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,037€1,764
$434RON 1,974
369.09%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,751€6,712
$1,762RON 8,009
339.98%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,286€3,712
$1,245RON 5,662
244.18%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Lisbon
Calafat
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,602€1,387
$819RON 3,724
95.55%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.81
6
-36.50%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Lisbon: July 27, 2026
Last update for Calafat: July 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $1,612 in Lisbon versus $393 in Calafat. 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 96% 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 $42.00 in Calafat. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $267 vs $182 – making Calafat the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
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 Calafat: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Lisbon and in Calafat compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $2,280 in Lisbon, $1,039 in Calafat – roughly 119% apart. Lisbon costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Lisbon compared to Calafat?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,420 per month in Lisbon and $1,559 in Calafat. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Lisbon and Calafat?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Calafat, 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 Calafat?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $2,280 in Lisbon and $1,039 in Calafat. 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 Calafat?
Public transport costs about 133% less in Calafat. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Calafat, where all-in costs run around $1,039, than in Lisbon at $2,280. In Calafat 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 Calafat?
It depends on your priorities. Lisbon has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,039 in Calafat to $2,280 in Lisbon. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Lisbon or Calafat 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 Calafat?
If budget matters most, go with Calafat. 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.