😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,258 in Lisbon versus $1,623 in Iglesias.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,328 in Lisbon versus $2,467 in Iglesias.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,397 in Lisbon versus $3,311 in Iglesias.
😐Living in Lisbon is roughly 39% more expensive than Iglesias, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Lisbon68% above, Iglesias21% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Lisbon
Iglesias
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$15.82€13.46
$23.40€19.91
-32.39%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$64.4€54.8
$69.4€59.1
-7.23%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.37€8.82
$11.02€9.38
-5.90%
Cappuccino
$2.89€2.46
$1.77€1.51
63.28%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.23€1.90
$2.82€2.40
-20.92%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.55€1.32
$1.19€1.02
30.25%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.38€2.88
$5.73€4.88
-41.01%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.90€3.32
$4.59€3.91
-15.03%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lisbon
Iglesias
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.12€0.96
$1.17€1.00
-4.27%
White Bread(500g)
$1.80€1.53
$1.15€0.98
56.52%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.75€1.49
$1.77€1.51
-1.13%
Eggs
$3.17€2.70
$3.43€2.92
-7.58%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.50€11.49
$16.88€14.37
-20.02%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.79€6.63
$7.73€6.58
0.78%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.65€13.32
$7.71€6.56
102.98%
Apples(1kg)
$2.28€1.94
$2.42€2.06
-5.79%
Banana(1kg)
$1.71€1.46
$1.69€1.43
1.18%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.93€1.65
$2.22€1.89
-13.06%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.52€2.15
$1.77€1.51
42.37%
Potato(1kg)
$1.79€1.52
$1.82€1.55
-1.65%
Onion(1kg)
$2.05€1.74
$2.13€1.81
-3.76%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.94€1.65
$1.42€1.21
36.62%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.81€0.69
$0.59€0.50
37.29%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.65€5.66
$6.65€5.66
-
Wine(Bottle)
$5.79€4.92
$5.14€4.37
12.65%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.33€1.14
$1.65€1.41
-19.39%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.91€2.47
$1.37€1.16
112.41%
🚌 Getting Around
Lisbon
Iglesias
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.35€2.00
$1.77€1.51
32.77%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$45.70€38.89
$43.30€36.85
5.54%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.20€3.58
$3.86€3.29
8.81%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.81€0.69
$1.11€0.94
-27.03%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$18.70€15.91
$29.86€25.41
-37.37%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.09€1.78
$2.06€1.75
1.46%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.6K€29.5K
$34.3K€29.2K
0.87%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$39.7K€33.7K
$35.4K€30.1K
12.10%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lisbon
Iglesias
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$146€124
$182€155
-19.71%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$20.84€17.73
$11.52€9.80
80.90%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$39.78€33.85
$30.66€26.09
29.75%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lisbon
Iglesias
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$48.58€41.35
$55.0€46.82
-11.69%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.85€16.04
$22.85€19.45
-17.51%
Cinema Ticket
$9.07€7.72
$9.37€7.97
-3.20%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lisbon
Iglesias
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$618€526
$545€464
13.34%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$16.2K€13.8K
$7,864€6,693
105.50%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lisbon
Iglesias
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$105€89.0
$90.8€77.3
15.16%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$40.54€34.50
$62.4€53.1
-35.07%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$93.8€79.8
$85.6€72.9
9.52%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$123€104
$119€102
2.68%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lisbon
Iglesias
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,604€1,365
$744€634
115.42%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,260€1,073
$578€492
118.01%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,065€2,608
$1,224€1,042
150.42%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,008€1,709
$928€790
116.41%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,702€6,555
$3,026€2,575
154.51%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,367€3,716
$1,954€1,663
123.42%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Lisbon
Iglesias
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,638€1,394
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.81
4.87
-21.77%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Lisbon: April 13, 2026
Last update for Iglesias: April 14, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,604 in Lisbon and $744 in Iglesias. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $64 in Lisbon vs $69 in Iglesias. Groceries flip the comparison at $268 vs $240, with Iglesias cheaper for home cooking.
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 Iglesias: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Lisbon and Iglesias?
Lisbon and Iglesias differ by about 39% in total monthly costs ($2,258 vs $1,623 including rent). Iglesias is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
What salary covers living expenses in Lisbon compared to Iglesias?
You'd need roughly $3,387 in Lisbon and $2,435 in Iglesias to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
How do apartment prices compare in Lisbon and Iglesias?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,604 in Lisbon versus $744 in Iglesias. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Supermarket bills run roughly 12% higher in Lisbon. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Iglesias – a meal for two runs $69.0 versus $64.0 in Lisbon. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more doable on $3,000 per month?
At $1,623 in Iglesias versus $2,258 in Lisbon, a $3,000 budget is realistic in Iglesias but tight or insufficient in Lisbon. The gap between the two cities makes Iglesias the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Lisbon and Iglesias?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Lisbon or Iglesias safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Lisbon and Iglesias are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Lisbon or Iglesias?
Expats usually find Iglesias gentler on the wallet – expenses run 39% less than in Lisbon. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.