😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,258 in Lisbon versus $1,792 in Dumfries.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,328 in Lisbon versus $2,769 in Dumfries.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,397 in Lisbon versus $3,746 in Dumfries.
😐Living in Lisbon is roughly 26% more expensive than Dumfries, driven mainly by Getting Around.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Lisbon68% above, Dumfries33% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Lisbon
Dumfries
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$15.82€13.46
$16.62£12.31
-4.81%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$64.4€54.8
$89.7£66.5
-28.23%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.37€8.82
$8.06£5.97
28.66%
Cappuccino
$2.89€2.46
$3.90£2.89
-25.90%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.23€1.90
$2.23£1.65
-
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.55€1.32
$1.35£1.00
14.81%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.38€2.88
$4.05£3.00
-16.54%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.90€3.32
$5.11£3.79
-23.68%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lisbon
Dumfries
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.12€0.96
$1.41£1.05
-20.57%
White Bread(500g)
$1.80€1.53
$1.50£1.11
20.00%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.75€1.49
$2.61£1.93
-32.95%
Eggs
$3.17€2.70
$3.77£2.80
-15.92%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.50€11.49
$8.09£6.00
66.87%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.79€6.63
$9.57£7.09
-18.60%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.65€13.32
$15.68£11.62
-0.19%
Apples(1kg)
$2.28€1.94
$2.54£1.88
-10.24%
Banana(1kg)
$1.71€1.46
$2.38£1.76
-28.15%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.93€1.65
$2.42£1.80
-20.25%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.52€2.15
$3.47£2.57
-27.38%
Potato(1kg)
$1.79€1.52
$2.13£1.58
-15.96%
Onion(1kg)
$2.05€1.74
$1.93£1.43
6.22%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.94€1.65
$1.22£0.90
59.02%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.81€0.69
$1.76£1.31
-53.98%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.65€5.66
$19.33£14.33
-65.60%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.79€4.92
$10.85£8.04
-46.64%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.33€1.14
$3.21£2.38
-58.57%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.91€2.47
$3.01£2.23
-3.32%
🚌 Getting Around
Lisbon
Dumfries
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.35€2.00
$4.48£3.32
-47.54%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$45.70€38.89
$99.3£73.6
-53.97%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.20€3.58
$5.46£4.04
-23.08%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.81€0.69
$1.54£1.14
-47.40%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$18.70€15.91
$14.42£10.68
29.68%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.09€1.78
$1.88£1.40
11.17%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.6K€29.5K
$38.8K£28.8K
-10.84%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$39.7K€33.7K
$41.3K£30.6K
-3.88%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lisbon
Dumfries
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$146€124
$238£176
-38.70%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$20.84€17.73
$14.53£10.77
43.43%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$39.78€33.85
$46.63£34.55
-14.69%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lisbon
Dumfries
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$48.58€41.35
$51.8£38.39
-6.22%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.85€16.04
$26.66£19.76
-29.29%
Cinema Ticket
$9.07€7.72
$12.86£9.53
-29.47%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lisbon
Dumfries
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$618€526
$1,602£1,187
-61.44%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$16.2K€13.8K
$16.4K£12.2K
-1.56%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lisbon
Dumfries
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$105€89.0
$94.0£69.7
11.19%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$40.54€34.50
$57.5£42.61
-29.50%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$93.8€79.8
$132£97.8
-28.95%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$123€104
$121£89.8
1.21%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lisbon
Dumfries
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,604€1,365
$645£478
148.80%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,260€1,073
$547£405
130.50%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,065€2,608
$1,002£743
205.85%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,008€1,709
$985£730
103.79%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,702€6,555
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,367€3,716
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Lisbon
Dumfries
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,638€1,394
$3,513£2,603
-53.37%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.81
5.45
-30.09%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Lisbon: April 13, 2026
Last update for Dumfries: April 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,604 in Lisbon and $645 in Dumfries. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Dumfries pays 114% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $64 in Lisbon vs $90 in Dumfries for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $268 vs $308 per month, with Lisbon 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 Dumfries: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Lisbon and Dumfries?
Lisbon and Dumfries differ by about 26% in total monthly costs ($2,258 vs $1,792 including rent). Dumfries is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Where can you earn more: Lisbon or Dumfries?
On paper, Dumfries earns 114% less. 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 Dumfries?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,604 in Lisbon versus $645 in Dumfries. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Is eating out cheaper in Lisbon or Dumfries?
Dining out is cheaper in Dumfries – a meal for two runs $90.0 versus $64.0 in Lisbon. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
What are total monthly expenses in Lisbon vs Dumfries?
All in, you'll spend $2,258 per month in Lisbon versus $1,792 in Dumfries – a 26% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $2,500 a realistic budget for Lisbon or Dumfries?
At $1,792 in Dumfries versus $2,258 in Lisbon, a $2,500 budget is realistic in Dumfries but tight or insufficient in Lisbon. The gap between the two cities makes Dumfries the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Lisbon or Dumfries more family-friendly?
For families, Dumfries 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 Dumfries?
Safety-wise, Lisbon and Dumfries 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 Dumfries gentler on the wallet – expenses run 26% less than in Lisbon. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.