😐A single person spends $2,280 per month in Lisbon vs $562 in Kairouan, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $3,294 per month in Lisbon vs $869 in Kairouan, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $4,307 per month in Lisbon vs $1,176 in Kairouan, rent included.
😐Lisbon costs about 306% more than Kairouan, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Lisbon sits 71% 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
$15.75€13.64
$2.39TND 7.01
559.00%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$63.5€55.0
$8.64TND 25.36
634.72%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.45€9.05
$3.33TND 9.77
213.81%
Cappuccino
$2.91€2.52
$0.77TND 2.25
277.92%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.29€1.98
$0.61TND 1.78
275.41%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.50€1.30
$0.13TND 0.38
1053.85%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.56€3.09
$1.49TND 4.38
138.93%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.96€3.43
$1.91TND 5.60
107.33%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lisbon
Kairouan
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.08€0.94
$0.49TND 1.45
120.41%
White Bread(500g)
$1.76€1.53
$0.08TND 0.23
2100.00%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.70€1.47
$1.55TND 4.55
9.68%
Eggs
$3.25€2.81
$1.50TND 4.39
116.67%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.25€11.47
$11.35TND 33.31
16.74%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.70€6.67
$5.61TND 16.47
37.25%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.77€13.66
$11.94TND 35.03
32.08%
Apples(1kg)
$2.28€1.97
$2.18TND 6.39
4.59%
Banana(1kg)
$1.66€1.43
$2.30TND 6.76
-27.83%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.02€1.75
$1.00TND 2.94
102.00%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.47€2.14
$0.74TND 2.16
233.78%
Potato(1kg)
$1.79€1.55
$0.69TND 2.03
159.42%
Onion(1kg)
$2.07€1.79
$0.73TND 2.13
183.56%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.97€1.71
$0.49TND 1.42
302.04%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.83€0.72
$0.27TND 0.80
207.41%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.55€5.68
$3.35TND 9.84
95.52%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.57€4.82
$6.63TND 19.47
-15.99%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.33€1.15
$1.14TND 3.35
16.67%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.01€2.60
$1.07TND 3.14
181.31%
🚌 Getting Around
Lisbon
Kairouan
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.27€1.97
$0.33TND 0.97
587.88%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$46.35€40.14
$10.13TND 29.74
357.55%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.23€3.66
$0.31TND 0.92
1264.52%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.85€0.73
$0.33TND 0.98
157.58%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$18.83€16.31
$7.38TND 21.66
155.15%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.02€1.75
$0.79TND 2.31
155.70%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.0K€30.3K
$36.3KTND 106.4K
-3.58%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$39.6K€34.3K
$34.5KTND 101.2K
14.94%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lisbon
Kairouan
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$148€128
$46.19TND 136
220.26%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$20.52€17.77
$9.78TND 28.71
109.82%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$39.52€34.23
$14.61TND 42.88
170.50%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lisbon
Kairouan
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$48.17€41.72
$23.96TND 70.3
101.04%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.39€15.92
$12.48TND 36.61
47.36%
Cinema Ticket
$9.10€7.88
$4.63TND 13.58
96.54%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lisbon
Kairouan
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$615€532
$107TND 313
477.18%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$16.3K€14.1K
$2,475TND 7,263
558.00%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lisbon
Kairouan
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$102€88.0
$23.83TND 69.9
326.23%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.09€36.45
$44.37TND 130
-5.14%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$92.3€79.9
$47.47TND 139
94.46%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$122€106
$63.8TND 187
91.35%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lisbon
Kairouan
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,612€1,396
$115TND 339
1295.66%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,254€1,086
$134TND 392
838.18%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,069€2,658
$373TND 1,093
723.92%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,037€1,764
$274TND 803
643.94%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,751€6,712
$968TND 2,842
700.33%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,286€3,712
$568TND 1,668
654.01%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Lisbon
Kairouan
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,602€1,387
$326TND 956
391.60%
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: July 27, 2026
Last update for Kairouan: July 26, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $1,612 in Lisbon versus $115 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 392% 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 $63.0 in Lisbon versus $9.00 in Kairouan. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $267 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 in Kairouan compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $2,280 in Lisbon, $562 in Kairouan – roughly 306% 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 $3,420 per month in Lisbon and $842 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 in Kairouan?
Public transport costs about 358% 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 $615 per month in Lisbon and $107 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 $562, than in Lisbon at $2,280. 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 $562 in Kairouan to $2,280 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.