🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,227 in Lisbon versus $2,606 in Joliet, IL.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,305 in Lisbon versus $3,803 in Joliet, IL.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,384 in Lisbon versus $5,000 in Joliet, IL.
🙂Living in Lisbon costs roughly 15% less than in Joliet, IL, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Lisbon66% above, Joliet, IL95% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Lisbon
Joliet, IL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$16.17€13.84
$19.04$19.04
-15.07%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$64.6€55.3
$76.1$76.1
-15.13%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.38€8.88
$11.06$11.06
-6.15%
Cappuccino
$2.77€2.37
$5.04$5.04
-45.04%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.25€1.92
$2.59$2.59
-13.13%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.57€1.35
$1.98$1.98
-20.71%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.49€2.99
$6.10$6.10
-42.79%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.00€3.43
$6.84$6.84
-41.52%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lisbon
Joliet, IL
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.08€0.93
$1.04$1.04
3.85%
White Bread(500g)
$1.74€1.49
$3.54$3.54
-50.85%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.74€1.49
$4.25$4.25
-59.06%
Eggs
$3.18€2.72
$4.27$4.27
-25.53%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.43€11.50
$12.05$12.05
11.45%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.99€6.84
$11.53$11.53
-30.70%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$16.09€13.77
$15.30$15.30
5.16%
Apples(1kg)
$2.28€1.95
$4.78$4.78
-52.30%
Banana(1kg)
$1.72€1.48
$1.57$1.57
9.55%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.94€1.66
$4.19$4.19
-53.70%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.54€2.18
$4.57$4.57
-44.42%
Potato(1kg)
$1.83€1.57
$2.82$2.82
-35.11%
Onion(1kg)
$2.04€1.75
$2.90$2.90
-29.66%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.98€1.69
$2.01$2.01
-1.49%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.85€0.73
$2.15$2.15
-60.47%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.85€5.87
$9.65$9.65
-29.02%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.78€4.94
$14.19$14.19
-59.27%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.37€1.18
$1.86$1.86
-26.34%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.90€2.48
$3.32$3.32
-12.65%
🚌 Getting Around
Lisbon
Joliet, IL
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.28€1.95
$1.95$1.95
16.92%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$46.84€40.10
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.08€3.49
$3.41$3.41
19.65%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.82€0.70
$1.67$1.67
-50.90%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$18.27€15.64
$29.04$29.04
-37.09%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.01€1.72
$0.83$0.83
142.17%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.3K€30.2K
$29.5K$29.5K
19.40%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$38.5K€32.9K
$25.2K$25.2K
52.46%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lisbon
Joliet, IL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$145€124
$186$186
-21.75%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$20.96€17.94
$52.7$52.7
-60.19%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$40.05€34.29
$66.2$66.2
-39.46%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lisbon
Joliet, IL
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$48.79€41.76
$43.53$43.53
12.08%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.69€16.00
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$9.06€7.76
$13.69$13.69
-33.82%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lisbon
Joliet, IL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$607€519
$1,302$1,302
-53.40%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$16.3K€14.0K
$23.4K$23.4K
-30.21%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lisbon
Joliet, IL
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$105€89.6
$50.7$50.7
106.35%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$40.95€35.06
$40.04$40.04
2.27%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$93.6€80.1
$87.1$87.1
7.42%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$119€101
$110$110
7.76%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lisbon
Joliet, IL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,604€1,373
$1,578$1,578
1.67%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,236€1,058
$1,351$1,351
-8.51%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,046€2,607
$2,633$2,633
15.70%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,057€1,761
$2,191$2,191
-6.15%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,709€6,599
$2,787$2,787
176.59%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,266€3,652
$2,430$2,430
75.59%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Lisbon
Joliet, IL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,584€1,356
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.81
6.51
-41.47%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Lisbon: April 26, 2026
Last update for Joliet, IL: April 26, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,604 in Lisbon and $1,578 in Joliet, IL. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $65.0 in Lisbon vs $76.0 in Joliet, IL for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $271 vs $385 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 Joliet, IL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Lisbon and Joliet, IL?
Lisbon and Joliet, IL differ by about 17% in total monthly costs ($2,227 vs $2,606 including rent). Lisbon 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 Joliet, IL?
You'd need roughly $3,341 in Lisbon and $3,909 in Joliet, IL 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 Joliet, IL?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,604 in Lisbon versus $1,578 in Joliet, IL. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Lisbon and Joliet, IL?
Childcare runs $607 in Lisbon versus $1,302 in Joliet, IL. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Lisbon – a meal for two runs $65.0 versus $76.0 in Joliet, IL. 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 $2,227 in Lisbon versus $2,606 in Joliet, IL, a $3,000 budget is realistic in Lisbon but tight or insufficient in Joliet, IL. The gap between the two cities makes Lisbon the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Lisbon and Joliet, IL?
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 Joliet, IL safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Lisbon and Joliet, IL 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 Joliet, IL?
Expats usually find Lisbon gentler on the wallet – expenses run 17% less than in Joliet, IL. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.