Cost of Living Comparison Between Lisbon and GisenyiCost of Living Comparison Between Lisbon and Gisenyi
Monthly Cost of Living
😐A single person spends $2,263 per month in Lisbon vs $418 in Gisenyi, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $3,315 per month in Lisbon vs $653 in Gisenyi, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $4,368 per month in Lisbon vs $888 in Gisenyi, rent included.
😐Lisbon costs about 442% more than Gisenyi, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Lisbon sits 68% above the global median, while Gisenyi is 69% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Lisbon
Gisenyi
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$15.94€13.73
$4.11RWF 6,004
287.83%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$63.4€54.6
$14.89RWF 21.7K
325.59%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.38€8.95
$6.14RWF 8,964
69.06%
Cappuccino
$2.79€2.40
$2.21RWF 3,229
26.24%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.34€2.01
$0.82RWF 1,199
185.37%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.57€1.35
$0.52RWF 752
201.92%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.43€2.95
$1.07RWF 1,558
220.56%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.91€3.37
$2.02RWF 2,950
93.56%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lisbon
Gisenyi
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.08€0.93
$0.67RWF 985
61.19%
White Bread(500g)
$1.77€1.52
$1.02RWF 1,487
73.53%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.71€1.47
$1.28RWF 1,864
33.59%
Eggs
$3.15€2.71
$1.71RWF 2,499
84.21%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.68€11.79
$3.99RWF 5,829
242.86%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.01€6.90
$4.45RWF 6,492
80.00%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.52€13.37
$3.69RWF 5,379
320.60%
Apples(1kg)
$2.29€1.98
$2.49RWF 3,630
-8.03%
Banana(1kg)
$1.64€1.41
$1.01RWF 1,472
62.38%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.94€1.67
$1.49RWF 2,177
30.20%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.51€2.17
$1.14RWF 1,667
120.18%
Potato(1kg)
$1.79€1.54
$0.51RWF 746
250.98%
Onion(1kg)
$2.01€1.73
$0.78RWF 1,136
157.69%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.97€1.69
$0.29RWF 423
579.31%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84€0.73
$0.81RWF 1,181
3.70%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.79€5.85
$1.69RWF 2,466
301.78%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.67€4.89
$10.34RWF 15.1K
-45.16%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.39€1.20
$0.92RWF 1,340
51.09%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.02€2.60
$1.78RWF 2,594
69.66%
🚌 Getting Around
Lisbon
Gisenyi
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.27€1.95
$0.11RWF 161
1963.64%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$45.44€39.15
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.29€3.70
$3.17RWF 4,633
35.33%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.85€0.73
$1.44RWF 2,101
-40.97%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$18.28€15.75
$3.80RWF 5,553
381.05%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.99€1.71
$1.14RWF 1,659
74.56%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.0K€30.2K
$26.3KRWF 38.4M
33.28%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$39.5K€34.1K
$30.5KRWF 44.5M
29.85%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lisbon
Gisenyi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$146€126
$46.63RWF 68.1K
213.49%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$20.45€17.62
$3.03RWF 4,429
574.92%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$38.98€33.58
$18.14RWF 26.5K
114.88%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lisbon
Gisenyi
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$48.98€42.21
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.83€16.22
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$9.52€8.21
$3.39RWF 4,944
180.83%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lisbon
Gisenyi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$608€524
$152RWF 222.0K
299.79%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$16.5K€14.2K
$5,187RWF 7.6M
218.32%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lisbon
Gisenyi
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$104€89.5
$17.33RWF 25.3K
499.48%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.12€36.29
$19.29RWF 28.2K
118.35%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$92.2€79.5
$24.23RWF 35.4K
280.60%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$120€103
$31.59RWF 46.1K
279.96%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lisbon
Gisenyi
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,621€1,397
$99.7RWF 145.4K
1527.17%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,268€1,092
$50.5RWF 73.8K
2408.15%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,048€2,626
$304RWF 444.3K
901.37%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,009€1,731
$120RWF 175.7K
1568.65%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,663€6,602
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,329€3,730
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Lisbon
Gisenyi
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,585€1,366
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.81
16.2
-76.48%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Lisbon: June 8, 2026
Last update for Gisenyi: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $1,621 in Lisbon versus $99.7 in Gisenyi. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $63.0 in Lisbon versus $15.00 in Gisenyi. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $269 vs $147 – making Gisenyi 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 Gisenyi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Lisbon or Gisenyi?
Lisbon costs about 442% more than Gisenyi, with the gap driven mainly by Eating Out. 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 vs Gisenyi?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,394 per month in Lisbon and $627 in Gisenyi. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Lisbon or Gisenyi?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Gisenyi, 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 vs Gisenyi?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $63.0 in Lisbon and $15.00 in Gisenyi. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Lisbon or Gisenyi?
Groceries cost about 83% more in Lisbon, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Lisbon or Gisenyi?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Gisenyi, where all-in costs run around $418, than in Lisbon at $2,263. In Gisenyi 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 Gisenyi?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Gisenyi costs $418 versus $2,263 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 Gisenyi?
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 Gisenyi?
If budget matters most, go with Gisenyi. 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.