😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,210 in Lisbon versus $1,785 in Dumfries.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,311 in Lisbon versus $2,755 in Dumfries.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,411 in Lisbon versus $3,725 in Dumfries.
😐Living in Lisbon is roughly 24% more expensive than Dumfries, driven mainly by Getting Around.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Lisbon65% above, Dumfries33% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Lisbon
Dumfries
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$15.91€13.70
$16.45£12.25
-3.28%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$64.8€55.8
$88.7£66.1
-26.95%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.51€9.05
$7.95£5.92
32.20%
Cappuccino
$2.87€2.47
$3.87£2.88
-25.84%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.24€1.93
$2.31£1.72
-3.03%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.50€1.29
$1.34£1.00
11.94%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.49€3.01
$3.98£2.96
-12.31%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.88€3.34
$5.01£3.73
-22.55%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lisbon
Dumfries
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.14€0.98
$1.47£1.10
-22.45%
White Bread(500g)
$1.75€1.51
$1.49£1.11
17.45%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.76€1.51
$2.55£1.90
-30.98%
Eggs
$3.22€2.77
$3.57£2.66
-9.80%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.49€11.61
$8.07£6.01
67.16%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.91€6.81
$10.03£7.47
-21.14%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.87€13.67
$15.73£11.72
0.89%
Apples(1kg)
$2.31€1.99
$2.54£1.89
-9.06%
Banana(1kg)
$1.70€1.46
$2.35£1.75
-27.66%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.01€1.73
$2.36£1.76
-14.83%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.46€2.12
$3.34£2.49
-26.35%
Potato(1kg)
$1.84€1.59
$2.13£1.59
-13.62%
Onion(1kg)
$2.00€1.72
$1.92£1.43
4.17%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.93€1.66
$1.23£0.91
56.91%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.79€0.68
$1.77£1.32
-55.37%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.61€5.69
$18.72£13.94
-64.69%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.72€4.93
$10.79£8.04
-46.99%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.37€1.18
$3.28£2.44
-58.23%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.97€2.56
$3.03£2.26
-1.98%
🚌 Getting Around
Lisbon
Dumfries
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.37€2.04
$4.23£3.15
-43.97%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$45.56€39.22
$98.6£73.5
-53.79%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.29€3.69
$5.56£4.14
-22.84%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.82€0.70
$1.60£1.19
-48.75%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$18.30€15.76
$14.04£10.46
30.34%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.06€1.78
$1.87£1.39
10.16%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.3K€29.5K
$38.3K£28.6K
-10.61%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$39.3K€33.8K
$41.3K£30.8K
-4.87%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lisbon
Dumfries
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$148€127
$234£174
-36.70%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$20.52€17.67
$14.59£10.87
40.64%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$39.61€34.10
$47.77£35.59
-17.08%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lisbon
Dumfries
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$47.85€41.19
$50.9£37.89
-5.92%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.92€16.29
$27.02£20.13
-29.98%
Cinema Ticket
$9.18€7.91
$12.97£9.66
-29.22%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lisbon
Dumfries
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$614€529
$1,614£1,202
-61.96%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$16.0K€13.8K
$16.1K£12.0K
-0.25%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lisbon
Dumfries
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$105€90.1
$94.7£70.6
10.51%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.06€36.21
$57.2£42.58
-26.42%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$94.0€80.9
$131£97.7
-28.32%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$120€103
$119£88.8
0.40%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lisbon
Dumfries
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,628€1,401
$633£472
157.08%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,255€1,081
$554£413
126.65%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,030€2,609
$1,020£760
197.01%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,020€1,739
$965£719
109.29%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,800€6,715
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,273€3,678
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Lisbon
Dumfries
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,603€1,380
$3,570£2,660
-55.09%
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: June 1, 2026
Last update for Dumfries: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,628 in Lisbon and $633 in Dumfries. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Dumfries pays 123% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $65.0 in Lisbon vs $89.0 in Dumfries for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $269 vs $309 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 24% in total monthly costs ($2,210 vs $1,785 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 123% 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: $1,628 in Lisbon versus $633 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 $89.0 versus $65.0 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 $2,210 per month in Lisbon versus $1,785 in Dumfries – a 24% 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 $1,785 in Dumfries versus $2,210 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 24% less than in Lisbon. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.