🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,296 in Lisbon versus $3,419 in Hackensack, NJ.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,376 in Lisbon versus $5,210 in Hackensack, NJ.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,457 in Lisbon versus $7,002 in Hackensack, NJ.
🌍Living in Lisbon costs roughly 33% less than in Hackensack, NJ, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Lisbon68% above, Hackensack, NJ150% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Lisbon
Hackensack, NJ
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.59€15.33
$24.66$24.66
-28.67%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$62.9€54.8
$101$101
-37.85%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.58€10.10
$13.16$13.16
-12.01%
Cappuccino
$3.10€2.70
$5.34$5.34
-41.95%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.49€2.17
$2.38$2.38
4.62%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.74€1.52
$1.60$1.60
8.75%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.48€3.03
$8.05$8.05
-56.77%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.44€3.00
$7.84$7.84
-56.12%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lisbon
Hackensack, NJ
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.15€1.00
$1.32$1.32
-12.88%
White Bread(500g)
$1.91€1.66
$4.31$4.31
-55.68%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.50€1.31
$5.90$5.90
-74.58%
Eggs
$3.98€3.47
$5.87$5.87
-32.20%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.29€11.59
$12.31$12.31
7.96%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.01€6.98
$7.79$7.79
2.82%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$18.04€15.73
$16.94$16.94
6.49%
Apples(1kg)
$2.35€2.05
$5.37$5.37
-56.24%
Banana(1kg)
$1.75€1.53
$1.73$1.73
1.16%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.85€1.62
$4.37$4.37
-57.67%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.55€2.22
$5.03$5.03
-49.30%
Potato(1kg)
$1.84€1.61
$3.08$3.08
-40.26%
Onion(1kg)
$2.10€1.83
$3.09$3.09
-32.04%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.49€1.30
$2.86$2.86
-47.90%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.82€0.71
$2.92$2.92
-71.92%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$7.10€6.19
$11.25$11.25
-36.89%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.91€5.15
$15.14$15.14
-60.96%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.31€1.15
$1.70$1.70
-22.94%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.13€1.86
$3.47$3.47
-38.62%
🚌 Getting Around
Lisbon
Hackensack, NJ
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.36€2.05
$3.40$3.40
-30.59%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$46.62€40.63
$60.5$60.5
-22.95%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.08€3.55
$2.97$2.97
37.37%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.14€0.99
$2.01$2.01
-43.28%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$17.09€14.90
$23.81$23.81
-28.22%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.31€2.01
$1.06$1.06
117.92%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.1K€29.7K
$35.6K$35.6K
-4.21%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$41.4K€36.1K
$24.8K$24.8K
67.09%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lisbon
Hackensack, NJ
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$169€147
$211$211
-20.18%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$19.33€16.85
$56.1$56.1
-65.51%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$33.51€29.21
$49.64$49.64
-32.49%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lisbon
Hackensack, NJ
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$48.84€42.57
$44.22$44.22
10.45%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.43€16.94
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$9.57€8.34
$20.19$20.19
-52.60%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lisbon
Hackensack, NJ
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$696€607
$1,384$1,384
-49.73%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$17.4K€15.1K
$16.0K$16.0K
8.47%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lisbon
Hackensack, NJ
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$105€91.8
$44.08$44.08
138.86%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$47.75€41.62
$56.7$56.7
-15.80%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$101€87.6
$88.0$88.0
14.29%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$124€108
$101$101
22.83%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lisbon
Hackensack, NJ
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,662€1,449
$2,363$2,363
-29.66%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,246€1,086
$1,932$1,932
-35.50%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,965€2,584
$4,236$4,236
-30.02%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,049€1,786
$3,717$3,717
-44.89%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,834€6,829
$3,553$3,553
120.51%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,464€3,892
$3,364$3,364
32.72%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Lisbon
Hackensack, NJ
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,632€1,422
$6,205$6,205
-73.71%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.78
6.28
-39.81%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Lisbon: September 12, 2026
Last update for Hackensack, NJ: September 14, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,662 in Lisbon and $2,363 in Hackensack, NJ. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Hackensack, NJ pays 280% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $63.0 in Lisbon vs $101 in Hackensack, NJ for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $277 vs $418 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 Hackensack, NJ: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Lisbon or Hackensack, NJ?
Lisbon wins on cost – living expenses run 49% lower than in Hackensack, NJ. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Lisbon the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Lisbon or in Hackensack, NJ?
On paper, salaries run 280% lower in Hackensack, NJ. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Lisbon compared to Hackensack, NJ?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,662 in Lisbon versus $2,363 in Hackensack, NJ. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do childcare costs compare in Lisbon and in Hackensack, NJ?
Childcare runs $696 in Lisbon versus $1,384 in Hackensack, NJ. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Are groceries more expensive in Lisbon or in Hackensack, NJ?
Supermarket bills run roughly 51% higher in Hackensack, NJ. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Can you live on $3,000/month in Lisbon or in Hackensack, NJ?
Both cities are expensive relative to $3,000. Lisbon is the more realistic option, but even there you'll need to be disciplined with housing, food, and fun money.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Lisbon or Hackensack, NJ?
Both work as nomad bases, but Lisbon delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $2,296 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Lisbon hard to pass up.
How safe is Lisbon compared to Hackensack, NJ?
Safety-wise, Lisbon and Hackensack, NJ 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 more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Lisbon gentler on the wallet – expenses run 49% less than in Hackensack, NJ. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.