😐A single person spends $2,316 per month in Lisbon vs $2,300 in Gastonia, NC, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $3,361 per month in Lisbon vs $3,612 in Gastonia, NC, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $4,405 per month in Lisbon vs $4,924 in Gastonia, NC, rent included.
😐Lisbon costs about 1% more than Gastonia, NC, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both Lisbon and Gastonia, NC sit above the global median – Lisbon by 69%, Gastonia, NC by 67%.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Lisbon
Gastonia, NC
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.30€14.89
$20.23$20.23
-14.48%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$63.3€54.4
$50.8$50.8
24.62%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.39€9.80
$5.78$5.78
97.06%
Cappuccino
$3.19€2.75
$3.91$3.91
-18.41%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.45€2.10
$2.85$2.85
-14.04%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.76€1.52
$2.22$2.22
-20.72%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.59€3.09
$5.13$5.13
-30.02%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.39€2.92
$6.37$6.37
-46.78%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lisbon
Gastonia, NC
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.24€1.06
$0.77$0.77
61.04%
White Bread(500g)
$1.98€1.71
$2.55$2.55
-22.35%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.52€1.31
$2.81$2.81
-45.91%
Eggs
$4.04€3.48
$3.69$3.69
9.49%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.54€11.65
$10.41$10.41
30.07%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.39€7.22
$11.33$11.33
-25.95%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$18.25€15.70
$15.97$15.97
14.28%
Apples(1kg)
$2.29€1.97
$4.53$4.53
-49.45%
Banana(1kg)
$1.74€1.50
$1.55$1.55
12.26%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.86€1.60
$6.42$6.42
-71.03%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.63€2.26
$5.94$5.94
-55.72%
Potato(1kg)
$1.92€1.65
$3.26$3.26
-41.10%
Onion(1kg)
$2.09€1.80
$4.19$4.19
-50.12%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.44€1.24
$2.02$2.02
-28.71%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84€0.72
$1.74$1.74
-51.72%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.78€5.83
$8.27$8.27
-18.02%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.71€4.91
$16.02$16.02
-64.36%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.38€1.18
$1.81$1.81
-23.76%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.22€1.91
$2.63$2.63
-15.59%
🚌 Getting Around
Lisbon
Gastonia, NC
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.40€2.06
$1.99$1.99
20.60%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$46.78€40.25
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.17€3.59
$1.98$1.98
110.61%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.14€0.98
$1.57$1.57
-27.39%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$17.68€15.21
$18.03$18.03
-1.94%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.32€2.00
$0.86$0.86
169.77%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.3K€30.4K
$34.7K$34.7K
1.92%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$41.4K€35.7K
$25.1K$25.1K
64.97%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lisbon
Gastonia, NC
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$170€147
$276$276
-38.22%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$19.34€16.64
$59.9$59.9
-67.70%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$33.64€28.95
$65.4$65.4
-48.59%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lisbon
Gastonia, NC
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$48.10€41.39
$27.33$27.33
76.00%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.90€17.12
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$9.92€8.54
$12.61$12.61
-21.33%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lisbon
Gastonia, NC
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$717€617
$1,135$1,135
-36.78%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$17.5K€15.0K
$12.1K$12.1K
44.09%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lisbon
Gastonia, NC
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$105€90.2
$34.45$34.45
204.09%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$46.95€40.40
$39.87$39.87
17.76%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103€89.0
$71.1$71.1
45.38%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$124€107
$102$102
22.09%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lisbon
Gastonia, NC
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,677€1,443
$1,310$1,310
27.96%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,271€1,094
$1,076$1,076
18.12%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,985€2,568
$2,828$2,828
5.53%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,992€1,715
$2,402$2,402
-17.05%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,826€6,734
$2,389$2,389
227.58%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,658€4,008
$2,362$2,362
97.16%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Lisbon
Gastonia, NC
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,583€1,362
$4,089$4,089
-61.29%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.79
6.1
-37.87%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Lisbon: August 30, 2026
Last update for Gastonia, NC: August 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $1,677 in Lisbon versus $1,310 in Gastonia, NC. 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 158% higher in Gastonia, NC, 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 $51.0 in Gastonia, NC. Groceries tell a different story – $283 in Lisbon vs $376 in Gastonia, NC – so Lisbon wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.
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 Gastonia, NC: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gastonia, NC cheaper than Lisbon?
Yes – Lisbon is pricier by about 1%, and the gap shows up most in Groceries & Markets. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,474 per month in Lisbon and $3,450 in Gastonia, NC. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Gastonia, NC, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
What are total monthly expenses in Lisbon and in Gastonia, NC?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $2,316 in Lisbon and $2,300 in Gastonia, NC. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Kindergarten costs $717 per month in Lisbon and $1,135 in Gastonia, NC. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Is $2,500 a realistic budget for living in Lisbon or in Gastonia, NC?
A $2,500 monthly budget goes further in Gastonia, NC, where all-in costs run around $2,300, than in Lisbon at $2,316. In Gastonia, NC it covers expenses comfortably, while in Lisbon it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Lisbon or Gastonia, NC more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Gastonia, NC – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Lisbon or Gastonia, NC?
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.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Gastonia, NC. 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.