🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,291 in Lisbon versus $2,626 in Chico, CA.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,322 in Lisbon versus $3,963 in Chico, CA.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,354 in Lisbon versus $5,299 in Chico, CA.
🌍Living in Lisbon costs roughly 13% less than in Chico, CA, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Lisbon71% above, Chico, CA97% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Lisbon
Chico, CA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$16.19€14.18
$25.21$25.21
-35.78%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$63.3€55.5
$60.9$60.9
3.96%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.32€9.04
$13.20$13.20
-21.82%
Cappuccino
$2.83€2.48
$5.89$5.89
-51.95%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.29€2.01
$2.49$2.49
-8.03%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.58€1.38
$2.17$2.17
-27.19%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.40€2.98
$7.16$7.16
-52.51%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.03€3.53
$8.65$8.65
-53.41%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lisbon
Chico, CA
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09€0.96
$1.34$1.34
-18.66%
White Bread(500g)
$1.75€1.53
$3.70$3.70
-52.70%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.76€1.54
$3.50$3.50
-49.71%
Eggs
$3.17€2.77
$5.61$5.61
-43.49%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.19€11.56
$13.33$13.33
-1.05%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.97€6.98
$10.60$10.60
-24.81%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.53€13.60
$16.75$16.75
-7.28%
Apples(1kg)
$2.37€2.07
$5.53$5.53
-57.14%
Banana(1kg)
$1.71€1.49
$2.23$2.23
-23.32%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.01€1.76
$3.80$3.80
-47.11%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.43€2.13
$5.58$5.58
-56.45%
Potato(1kg)
$1.76€1.54
$4.61$4.61
-61.82%
Onion(1kg)
$2.03€1.78
$3.50$3.50
-42.00%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.92€1.68
$2.20$2.20
-12.73%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.85€0.74
$2.29$2.29
-62.88%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.58€5.76
$7.79$7.79
-15.53%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.58€4.89
$11.84$11.84
-52.87%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.33€1.17
$1.69$1.69
-21.30%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.97€2.60
$5.43$5.43
-45.30%
🚌 Getting Around
Lisbon
Chico, CA
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.28€1.99
$2.91$2.91
-21.65%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$45.79€40.10
$34.53$34.53
32.61%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.23€3.70
$3.54$3.54
19.49%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.81€0.71
$2.04$2.04
-60.29%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$18.44€16.15
$40.34$40.34
-54.29%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.08€1.82
$1.27$1.27
63.78%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.7K€30.4K
$23.7K$23.7K
46.36%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$39.2K€34.3K
$24.4K$24.4K
60.44%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lisbon
Chico, CA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$148€130
$192$192
-23.03%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$20.46€17.92
$53.2$53.2
-61.52%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$39.56€34.64
$70.5$70.5
-43.89%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lisbon
Chico, CA
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$47.99€42.03
$62.1$62.1
-22.68%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.60€16.29
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$9.22€8.08
$13.74$13.74
-32.90%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lisbon
Chico, CA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$616€540
$1,834$1,834
-66.41%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$16.4K€14.4K
$37.3K$37.3K
-55.96%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lisbon
Chico, CA
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$103€90.0
$58.5$58.5
75.53%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$41.74€36.55
$31.30$31.30
33.35%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$94.8€83.0
$78.7$78.7
20.47%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$122€107
$98.1$98.1
24.42%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lisbon
Chico, CA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,633€1,430
$1,459$1,459
11.90%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,232€1,079
$1,192$1,192
3.39%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,098€2,713
$2,755$2,755
12.45%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,031€1,779
$2,294$2,294
-11.44%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,831€6,858
$3,245$3,245
141.32%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,389€3,844
$2,971$2,971
47.74%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Lisbon
Chico, CA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,607€1,408
$3,857$3,857
-58.33%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.81
6.55
-41.83%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Lisbon: July 14, 2026
Last update for Chico, CA: July 14, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,633 in Lisbon and $1,459 in Chico, CA. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Chico, CA pays 140% 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 $61.0 in Chico, CA. Groceries flip the comparison at $267 vs $414, 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 Chico, CA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chico, CA cheaper than Lisbon?
Lisbon is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Sport & Entertainment, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 15% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Lisbon or Chico, CA?
On paper, salaries run 140% lower in Chico, CA. 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 Chico, CA?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,633 in Lisbon versus $1,459 in Chico, CA. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Is eating out cheaper in Lisbon or in Chico, CA?
Dining out is cheaper in Lisbon – a meal for two runs $63.0 versus $61.0 in Chico, CA. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
What are total monthly expenses in Lisbon and in Chico, CA?
All in, you'll spend $2,291 per month in Lisbon versus $2,626 in Chico, CA – a 15% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $3,000 enough to cover costs in Lisbon or in Chico, CA?
Both cities are expensive relative to $3,000. Lisbon is the more realistic option, but even there you'll need to be disciplined with housing, food, and fun money.
Is Lisbon or Chico, CA more family-friendly?
For families, Lisbon is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Chico, CA, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Lisbon or Chico, CA?
Safety-wise, Lisbon and Chico, CA 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 Lisbon gentler on the wallet – expenses run 15% less than in Chico, CA. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.