😐A single person spends $2,280 per month in Lisbon vs $1,690 in Fuengirola, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $3,294 per month in Lisbon vs $2,607 in Fuengirola, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $4,307 per month in Lisbon vs $3,524 in Fuengirola, rent included.
😐Lisbon costs about 35% more than Fuengirola, driven mainly by Getting Around.
📊Both Lisbon and Fuengirola sit above the global median – Lisbon by 71%, Fuengirola by 27%.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Lisbon
Fuengirola
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$15.75€13.64
$13.79€11.94
14.21%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$63.5€55.0
$64.0€55.5
-0.84%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.45€9.05
$10.52€9.11
-0.67%
Cappuccino
$2.91€2.52
$2.26€1.96
28.76%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.29€1.98
$2.48€2.15
-7.66%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.50€1.30
$1.83€1.58
-18.03%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.56€3.09
$3.40€2.94
4.71%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.96€3.43
$4.29€3.71
-7.69%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lisbon
Fuengirola
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.08€0.94
$1.18€1.02
-8.47%
White Bread(500g)
$1.76€1.53
$1.52€1.32
15.79%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.70€1.47
$1.75€1.51
-2.86%
Eggs
$3.25€2.81
$2.70€2.33
20.37%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.25€11.47
$14.92€12.92
-11.19%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.70€6.67
$9.00€7.79
-14.44%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.77€13.66
$17.66€15.29
-10.70%
Apples(1kg)
$2.28€1.97
$2.40€2.08
-5.00%
Banana(1kg)
$1.66€1.43
$2.16€1.87
-23.15%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.02€1.75
$1.79€1.55
12.85%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.47€2.14
$2.65€2.30
-6.79%
Potato(1kg)
$1.79€1.55
$1.72€1.49
4.07%
Onion(1kg)
$2.07€1.79
$1.90€1.64
8.95%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.97€1.71
$1.20€1.04
64.17%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.83€0.72
$0.76€0.65
9.21%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.55€5.68
$6.29€5.45
4.13%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.57€4.82
$5.82€5.04
-4.30%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.33€1.15
$1.18€1.02
12.71%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.01€2.60
$2.30€1.99
30.87%
🚌 Getting Around
Lisbon
Fuengirola
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.27€1.97
$1.83€1.59
24.04%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$46.35€40.14
$11.35€9.83
308.37%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.23€3.66
$4.76€4.12
-11.13%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.85€0.73
$1.05€0.91
-19.05%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$18.83€16.31
$24.92€21.58
-24.44%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.02€1.75
$1.76€1.52
14.77%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.0K€30.3K
$38.4K€33.2K
-8.88%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$39.6K€34.3K
$30.7K€26.6K
28.96%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lisbon
Fuengirola
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$148€128
$137€119
7.62%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$20.52€17.77
$22.41€19.41
-8.43%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$39.52€34.23
$32.39€28.05
22.01%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lisbon
Fuengirola
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$48.17€41.72
$51.1€44.25
-5.73%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.39€15.92
$29.26€25.34
-37.15%
Cinema Ticket
$9.10€7.88
$9.88€8.55
-7.89%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lisbon
Fuengirola
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$615€532
$389€337
58.07%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$16.3K€14.1K
$6,700€5,802
143.06%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lisbon
Fuengirola
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$102€88.0
$80.3€69.5
26.49%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.09€36.45
$40.44€35.02
4.08%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$92.3€79.9
$90.2€78.1
2.35%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$122€106
$116€100
5.40%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lisbon
Fuengirola
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,612€1,396
$974€844
65.46%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,254€1,086
$766€664
63.58%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,069€2,658
$1,955€1,693
56.98%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,037€1,764
$1,304€1,129
56.16%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,751€6,712
$3,660€3,170
111.76%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,286€3,712
$2,772€2,401
54.62%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Lisbon
Fuengirola
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,602€1,387
$1,832€1,587
-12.58%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.81
3.46
10.12%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Lisbon: July 27, 2026
Last update for Fuengirola: July 28, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $1,612 in Lisbon versus $974 in Fuengirola. 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 14% higher in Fuengirola, 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 $64.0 in Fuengirola. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $267 vs $278 – 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 Fuengirola: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Lisbon and in Fuengirola compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $2,280 in Lisbon, $1,690 in Fuengirola – roughly 35% apart. Lisbon costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Lisbon compared to Fuengirola?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,420 per month in Lisbon and $2,534 in Fuengirola. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Lisbon and Fuengirola?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Fuengirola, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Lisbon and Fuengirola?
Kindergarten costs $615 per month in Lisbon and $389 in Fuengirola. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Interestingly, groceries are about 4% cheaper in Lisbon – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
Which city is more doable on $3,000 per month?
A $3,000 monthly budget goes further in Fuengirola, where all-in costs run around $1,690, than in Lisbon at $2,280. In Fuengirola it covers expenses comfortably, while in Lisbon it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Lisbon and Fuengirola?
It depends on your priorities. Lisbon has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,690 in Fuengirola to $2,280 in Lisbon. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Lisbon or Fuengirola safer for residents?
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.
How do I decide between Lisbon and Fuengirola?
If budget matters most, go with Fuengirola. 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.