😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,291 in Lisbon versus $1,811 in Charleston, WV.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,322 in Lisbon versus $2,653 in Charleston, WV.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,354 in Lisbon versus $3,496 in Charleston, WV.
🌍Living in Lisbon is roughly 27% more expensive than in Charleston, WV, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Lisbon71% above, Charleston, WV36% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Lisbon
Charleston, WV
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$16.19€14.18
$14.84$14.84
9.10%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$63.3€55.5
$49.16$49.16
28.82%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.32€9.04
$7.92$7.92
30.30%
Cappuccino
$2.83€2.48
$2.76$2.76
2.54%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.29€2.01
$2.14$2.14
7.01%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.58€1.38
$2.06$2.06
-23.30%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.40€2.98
$2.93$2.93
16.04%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.03€3.53
$5.95$5.95
-32.27%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lisbon
Charleston, WV
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09€0.96
$0.82$0.82
32.93%
White Bread(500g)
$1.75€1.53
$2.22$2.22
-21.17%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.76€1.54
$1.70$1.70
3.53%
Eggs
$3.17€2.77
$3.28$3.28
-3.35%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.19€11.56
$10.16$10.16
29.82%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.97€6.98
$9.66$9.66
-17.49%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.53€13.60
$15.58$15.58
-0.32%
Apples(1kg)
$2.37€2.07
$4.49$4.49
-47.22%
Banana(1kg)
$1.71€1.49
$1.03$1.03
66.02%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.01€1.76
$2.18$2.18
-7.80%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.43€2.13
$4.95$4.95
-50.91%
Potato(1kg)
$1.76€1.54
$1.98$1.98
-11.11%
Onion(1kg)
$2.03€1.78
$2.77$2.77
-26.71%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.92€1.68
$1.75$1.75
9.71%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.85€0.74
$1.03$1.03
-17.48%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.58€5.76
$5.85$5.85
12.48%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.58€4.89
$9.99$9.99
-44.14%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.33€1.17
$1.68$1.68
-20.83%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.97€2.60
$1.83$1.83
62.30%
🚌 Getting Around
Lisbon
Charleston, WV
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.28€1.99
$1.47$1.47
55.10%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$45.79€40.10
$59.9$59.9
-23.61%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.23€3.70
$3.78$3.78
11.90%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.81€0.71
$1.26$1.26
-35.71%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$18.44€16.15
$24.92$24.92
-26.00%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.08€1.82
$0.84$0.84
147.62%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.7K€30.4K
$35.3K$35.3K
-1.79%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$39.2K€34.3K
$25.5K$25.5K
53.45%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lisbon
Charleston, WV
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$148€130
$122$122
20.90%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$20.46€17.92
$45.06$45.06
-54.59%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$39.56€34.64
$55.6$55.6
-28.86%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lisbon
Charleston, WV
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$47.99€42.03
$31.45$31.45
52.59%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.60€16.29
$16.75$16.75
11.04%
Cinema Ticket
$9.22€8.08
$12.04$12.04
-23.42%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lisbon
Charleston, WV
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$616€540
$1,542$1,542
-60.05%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$16.4K€14.4K
$17.2K$17.2K
-4.64%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lisbon
Charleston, WV
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$103€90.0
$40.84$40.84
151.47%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$41.74€36.55
$39.90$39.90
4.61%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$94.8€83.0
$89.2$89.2
6.30%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$122€107
$100.0$100.0
22.03%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lisbon
Charleston, WV
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,633€1,430
$924$924
76.60%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,232€1,079
$801$801
53.77%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,098€2,713
$1,765$1,765
75.57%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,031€1,779
$1,275$1,275
59.29%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,831€6,858
$1,136$1,136
589.45%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,389€3,844
$1,125$1,125
290.00%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Lisbon
Charleston, WV
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,607€1,408
$3,534$3,534
-54.52%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.81
6.53
-41.65%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Lisbon: July 14, 2026
Last update for Charleston, WV: July 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,633 in Lisbon and $924 in Charleston, WV. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Charleston, WV pays 120% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $63.0 in Lisbon vs $49.00 in Charleston, WV. Groceries flip the comparison at $267 vs $301, with Lisbon cheaper for home cooking.
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 Charleston, WV: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Charleston, WV cheaper than Lisbon?
Charleston, WV is cheaper overall, especially in Eating Out, Clothing & Footwear, Sport & Entertainment. The 27% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Lisbon or Charleston, WV?
On paper, salaries run 120% lower in Charleston, WV. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
What is the rent difference between Lisbon and Charleston, WV?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,633 in Lisbon versus $924 in Charleston, WV. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do food prices compare in Lisbon and in Charleston, WV?
Shoppers in Lisbon pay roughly 13% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.
Is eating out cheaper in Lisbon or in Charleston, WV?
Dining out is cheaper in Charleston, WV – a meal for two runs $49.00 versus $63.0 in Lisbon. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Is $2,500 a realistic budget for living in Lisbon or in Charleston, WV?
At $1,811 in Charleston, WV versus $2,291 in Lisbon, a $2,500 budget is realistic in Charleston, WV but tight or insufficient in Lisbon. The gap between the two cities makes Charleston, WV the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Lisbon or Charleston, WV more family-friendly?
For families, Charleston, WV is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Lisbon, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Lisbon or Charleston, WV?
Safety-wise, Lisbon and Charleston, WV are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Charleston, WV gentler on the wallet – expenses run 27% less than in Lisbon. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.