😐A single person spends $2,227 per month in Lisbon vs $564 in Kairouan, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $3,305 per month in Lisbon vs $893 in Kairouan, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $4,384 per month in Lisbon vs $1,222 in Kairouan, rent included.
😐Lisbon costs about 295% more than Kairouan, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Lisbon sits 66% above the global median, while Kairouan is 58% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Lisbon
Kairouan
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$16.17€13.84
$2.34TND 6.76
591.03%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$64.6€55.3
$8.65TND 24.99
646.47%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.38€8.88
$3.32TND 9.60
212.65%
Cappuccino
$2.77€2.37
$0.71TND 2.05
290.14%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.25€1.92
$0.60TND 1.73
275.00%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.57€1.35
$0.14TND 0.41
1021.43%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.49€2.99
$1.49TND 4.30
134.23%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.00€3.43
$1.92TND 5.56
108.33%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lisbon
Kairouan
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.08€0.93
$0.45TND 1.29
140.00%
White Bread(500g)
$1.74€1.49
$0.07TND 0.20
2385.71%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.74€1.49
$1.48TND 4.27
17.57%
Eggs
$3.18€2.72
$1.55TND 4.47
105.16%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.43€11.50
$11.47TND 33.14
17.09%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.99€6.84
$5.54TND 16.02
44.22%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$16.09€13.77
$11.75TND 33.95
36.94%
Apples(1kg)
$2.28€1.95
$2.21TND 6.39
3.17%
Banana(1kg)
$1.72€1.48
$2.24TND 6.47
-23.21%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.94€1.66
$1.01TND 2.92
92.08%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.54€2.18
$0.74TND 2.14
243.24%
Potato(1kg)
$1.83€1.57
$0.69TND 2.00
165.22%
Onion(1kg)
$2.04€1.75
$0.78TND 2.24
161.54%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.98€1.69
$0.48TND 1.38
312.50%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.85€0.73
$0.25TND 0.72
240.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.85€5.87
$3.46TND 9.99
97.98%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.78€4.94
$7.55TND 21.83
-23.44%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.37€1.18
$1.14TND 3.30
20.18%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.90€2.48
$1.11TND 3.20
161.26%
🚌 Getting Around
Lisbon
Kairouan
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.28€1.95
$0.32TND 0.93
612.50%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$46.84€40.10
$10.24TND 29.59
357.42%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.08€3.49
$0.31TND 0.90
1216.13%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.82€0.70
$0.33TND 0.96
148.48%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$18.27€15.64
$7.62TND 22.01
139.76%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.01€1.72
$0.76TND 2.19
164.47%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.3K€30.2K
$35.3KTND 102.1K
-0.18%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$38.5K€32.9K
$35.0KTND 101.1K
10.07%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lisbon
Kairouan
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$145€124
$46.52TND 134
212.55%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$20.96€17.94
$9.71TND 28.06
115.86%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$40.05€34.29
$14.99TND 43.32
167.18%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lisbon
Kairouan
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$48.79€41.76
$23.44TND 67.7
108.15%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.69€16.00
$12.84TND 37.11
45.56%
Cinema Ticket
$9.06€7.76
$4.66TND 13.46
94.42%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lisbon
Kairouan
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$607€519
$110TND 318
451.05%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$16.3K€14.0K
$2,464TND 7,120
562.82%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lisbon
Kairouan
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$105€89.6
$23.79TND 68.8
339.93%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$40.95€35.06
$43.78TND 127
-6.46%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$93.6€80.1
$48.30TND 140
93.75%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$119€101
$64.6TND 187
83.63%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lisbon
Kairouan
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,604€1,373
$116TND 335
1284.10%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,236€1,058
$133TND 385
826.55%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,046€2,607
$377TND 1,089
708.61%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,057€1,761
$269TND 778
663.51%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,709€6,599
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,266€3,652
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Lisbon
Kairouan
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,584€1,356
$334TND 965
374.59%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.81
13.6
-71.99%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Lisbon: April 26, 2026
Last update for Kairouan: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $1,604 in Lisbon versus $116 in Kairouan. 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 375% higher in Lisbon, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $65.0 in Lisbon versus $9.00 in Kairouan. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $271 vs $178 – making Kairouan 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 Kairouan: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Lisbon and Kairouan compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $2,227 in Lisbon, $564 in Kairouan – roughly 295% apart. Lisbon costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Lisbon compared to Kairouan?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,341 per month in Lisbon and $846 in Kairouan. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Lisbon and Kairouan?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Kairouan, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do commuting costs compare in Lisbon and Kairouan?
Public transport costs about 357% less in Kairouan. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Lisbon and Kairouan?
Kindergarten costs $607 per month in Lisbon and $110 in Kairouan. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Kairouan, where all-in costs run around $564, than in Lisbon at $2,227. In Kairouan it covers expenses comfortably, while in Lisbon it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Lisbon and Kairouan?
It depends on your priorities. Lisbon has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $564 in Kairouan to $2,227 in Lisbon. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Lisbon or Kairouan safer for residents?
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.
How do I decide between Lisbon and Kairouan?
If budget matters most, go with Kairouan. 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.