😐A single person spends $2,291 per month in Lisbon vs $1,827 in Ellensburg, WA, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $3,322 per month in Lisbon vs $2,955 in Ellensburg, WA, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $4,354 per month in Lisbon vs $4,082 in Ellensburg, WA, rent included.
😐Lisbon costs about 25% more than Ellensburg, WA, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both Lisbon and Ellensburg, WA sit above the global median – Lisbon by 71%, Ellensburg, WA by 37%.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Lisbon
Ellensburg, WA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$16.19€14.18
$14.94$14.94
8.37%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$63.3€55.5
$100$100
-36.88%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.32€9.04
$12.17$12.17
-15.20%
Cappuccino
$2.83€2.48
$5.20$5.20
-45.58%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.29€2.01
$1.52$1.52
50.66%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.58€1.38
$1.27$1.27
24.41%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.40€2.98
$4.85$4.85
-29.90%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.03€3.53
$8.06$8.06
-50.00%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lisbon
Ellensburg, WA
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09€0.96
$1.05$1.05
3.81%
White Bread(500g)
$1.75€1.53
$2.71$2.71
-35.42%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.76€1.54
$4.70$4.70
-62.55%
Eggs
$3.17€2.77
$4.29$4.29
-26.11%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.19€11.56
$15.50$15.50
-14.90%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.97€6.98
$6.72$6.72
18.60%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.53€13.60
$13.54$13.54
14.70%
Apples(1kg)
$2.37€2.07
$3.86$3.86
-38.60%
Banana(1kg)
$1.71€1.49
$1.13$1.13
51.33%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.01€1.76
$4.25$4.25
-52.71%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.43€2.13
$4.14$4.14
-41.30%
Potato(1kg)
$1.76€1.54
$1.56$1.56
12.82%
Onion(1kg)
$2.03€1.78
$2.17$2.17
-6.45%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.92€1.68
$2.02$2.02
-4.95%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.85€0.74
$1.62$1.62
-47.53%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.58€5.76
$7.77$7.77
-15.32%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.58€4.89
$15.58$15.58
-64.18%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.33€1.17
$2.94$2.94
-54.76%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.97€2.60
$2.46$2.46
20.73%
🚌 Getting Around
Lisbon
Ellensburg, WA
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.28€1.99
$2.04$2.04
11.76%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$45.79€40.10
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.23€3.70
$2.61$2.61
62.07%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.81€0.71
$1.65$1.65
-50.91%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$18.44€16.15
$29.66$29.66
-37.83%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.08€1.82
$1.04$1.04
100.00%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.7K€30.4K
$32.5K$32.5K
6.69%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$39.2K€34.3K
$25.9K$25.9K
51.09%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lisbon
Ellensburg, WA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$148€130
$126$126
17.71%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$20.46€17.92
$39.20$39.20
-47.81%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$39.56€34.64
$69.1$69.1
-42.71%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lisbon
Ellensburg, WA
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$47.99€42.03
$24.77$24.77
93.74%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.60€16.29
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$9.22€8.08
$16.24$16.24
-43.23%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lisbon
Ellensburg, WA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$616€540
$2,261$2,261
-72.75%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$16.4K€14.4K
$29.2K$29.2K
-43.74%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lisbon
Ellensburg, WA
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$103€90.0
$44.57$44.57
130.42%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$41.74€36.55
$35.11$35.11
18.88%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$94.8€83.0
$93.9$93.9
0.93%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$122€107
$119$119
2.48%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lisbon
Ellensburg, WA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,633€1,430
$949$949
72.12%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,232€1,079
$793$793
55.43%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,098€2,713
$1,834$1,834
68.92%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,031€1,779
$1,487$1,487
36.61%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,831€6,858
$4,376$4,376
78.95%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,389€3,844
$4,419$4,419
-0.68%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Lisbon
Ellensburg, WA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,607€1,408
$1,793$1,793
-10.35%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.81
6.42
-40.65%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Lisbon: July 14, 2026
Last update for Ellensburg, WA: July 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $1,633 in Lisbon versus $949 in Ellensburg, WA. 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 12% higher in Ellensburg, WA, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $63.0 in Lisbon versus $100 in Ellensburg, WA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $267 vs $345 – making Lisbon 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 Ellensburg, WA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Lisbon or Ellensburg, WA?
Lisbon costs about 25% more than Ellensburg, WA, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Lisbon and in Ellensburg, WA?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,437 per month in Lisbon and $2,741 in Ellensburg, WA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Lisbon or Ellensburg, WA?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Ellensburg, WA, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do dining costs compare in Lisbon and in Ellensburg, WA?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $63.0 in Lisbon and $100 in Ellensburg, WA. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Lisbon or in Ellensburg, WA?
Interestingly, groceries are about 29% cheaper in Lisbon – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
Can you live on $2,000/month in Lisbon or in Ellensburg, WA?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Ellensburg, WA, where all-in costs run around $1,827, than in Lisbon at $2,291. In Ellensburg, WA it covers expenses comfortably, while in Lisbon it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Lisbon or Ellensburg, WA?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Ellensburg, WA costs $1,827 versus $2,291 in Lisbon. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Lisbon compared to Ellensburg, WA?
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.
Should I move to Lisbon or to Ellensburg, WA?
If budget matters most, go with Ellensburg, WA. 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.