๐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,263 in Lisbon versus $1,356 in Kaลกtela.
๐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,315 in Lisbon versus $2,132 in Kaลกtela.
๐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,368 in Lisbon versus $2,908 in Kaลกtela.
๐Living in Lisbon is roughly 67% more expensive than Kaลกtela, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
๐Both cities are pricier than the global median: Lisbon68% above, Kaลกtela1% above.
Currency
๐ฝ Eating Out
Lisbon
Kaลกtela
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$15.94โฌ13.73
$16.04โฌ13.82
-0.62%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$63.4โฌ54.6
$80.8โฌ69.6
-21.54%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.38โฌ8.95
$9.12โฌ7.86
13.82%
Cappuccino
$2.79โฌ2.40
$2.89โฌ2.49
-3.46%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.34โฌ2.01
$3.40โฌ2.93
-31.18%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.57โฌ1.35
$2.53โฌ2.18
-37.94%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.43โฌ2.95
$4.51โฌ3.89
-23.95%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.91โฌ3.37
$3.81โฌ3.28
2.62%
๐ Groceries & Markets
Lisbon
Kaลกtela
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.08โฌ0.93
$1.38โฌ1.19
-21.74%
White Bread(500g)
$1.77โฌ1.52
$1.57โฌ1.36
12.74%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.71โฌ1.47
$3.12โฌ2.69
-45.19%
Eggs
$3.15โฌ2.71
$3.92โฌ3.38
-19.64%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.68โฌ11.79
$10.05โฌ8.66
36.12%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.01โฌ6.90
$9.40โฌ8.10
-14.79%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.52โฌ13.37
$12.85โฌ11.07
20.78%
Apples(1kg)
$2.29โฌ1.98
$1.79โฌ1.54
27.93%
Banana(1kg)
$1.64โฌ1.41
$1.70โฌ1.46
-3.53%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.94โฌ1.67
$2.16โฌ1.86
-10.19%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.51โฌ2.17
$2.27โฌ1.96
10.57%
Potato(1kg)
$1.79โฌ1.54
$1.53โฌ1.32
16.99%
Onion(1kg)
$2.01โฌ1.73
$1.40โฌ1.20
43.57%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.97โฌ1.69
$1.36โฌ1.17
44.85%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84โฌ0.73
$1.25โฌ1.08
-32.80%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.79โฌ5.85
$5.85โฌ5.04
16.07%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.67โฌ4.89
$7.51โฌ6.47
-24.50%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.39โฌ1.20
$1.34โฌ1.15
3.73%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.02โฌ2.60
$1.13โฌ0.97
167.26%
๐ Getting Around
Lisbon
Kaลกtela
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.27โฌ1.95
$2.36โฌ2.03
-3.81%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$45.44โฌ39.15
$37.44โฌ32.26
21.37%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.29โฌ3.70
$3.54โฌ3.05
21.19%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.85โฌ0.73
$2.12โฌ1.83
-59.91%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$18.28โฌ15.75
$9.03โฌ7.78
102.44%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.99โฌ1.71
$1.79โฌ1.54
11.17%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.0Kโฌ30.2K
$38.4Kโฌ33.1K
-8.88%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$39.5Kโฌ34.1K
$26.6Kโฌ22.9K
48.93%
๐งพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lisbon
Kaลกtela
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$146โฌ126
$183โฌ158
-20.26%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$20.45โฌ17.62
$23.81โฌ20.52
-14.11%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$38.98โฌ33.58
$25.04โฌ21.57
55.67%
๐ Sport & Entertainment
Lisbon
Kaลกtela
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$48.98โฌ42.21
$58.5โฌ50.4
-16.23%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.83โฌ16.22
$14.43โฌ12.44
30.49%
Cinema Ticket
$9.52โฌ8.21
$9.35โฌ8.06
1.82%
๐งธ Childcare & Education
Lisbon
Kaลกtela
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$608โฌ524
$188โฌ162
223.57%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$16.5Kโฌ14.2K
$1,363โฌ1,174
1111.62%
๐๐ Clothing & Footwear
Lisbon
Kaลกtela
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$104โฌ89.5
$82.4โฌ71.0
26.02%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.12โฌ36.29
$28.53โฌ24.58
47.63%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$92.2โฌ79.5
$109โฌ93.5
-15.04%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$120โฌ103
$106โฌ91.2
13.42%
๐ Accommodation & Living
Lisbon
Kaลกtela
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,621โฌ1,397
$483โฌ416
235.76%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,268โฌ1,092
$341โฌ293
272.24%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,048โฌ2,626
$603โฌ519
405.89%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,009โฌ1,731
$551โฌ475
264.48%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,663โฌ6,602
$3,400โฌ2,929
125.38%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,329โฌ3,730
$2,500โฌ2,154
73.17%
๐ต Salaries & Financials
Lisbon
Kaลกtela
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,585โฌ1,366
$888โฌ765
78.53%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.81
4.35
-12.41%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input โ minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Lisbon: June 8, 2026
Last update for Kaลกtela: June 8, 2026
Cost Breakdown
๐ A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,621 in Lisbon and $483 in Kaลกtela. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
๐ฐLisbon pays 79% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
๐Dining out: $63.0 in Lisbon vs $81.0 in Kaลกtela. Groceries flip the comparison at $269 vs $264, with Kaลกtela 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 Kaลกtela: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Lisbon and Kaลกtela?
Lisbon and Kaลกtela differ by about 67% in total monthly costs ($2,263 vs $1,356 including rent). Kaลกtela is meaningfully more affordable โ a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Lisbon or Kaลกtela?
Lisbon pays 79% more on average, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How do apartment prices compare in Lisbon and Kaลกtela?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,621 in Lisbon versus $483 in Kaลกtela. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do commuting costs compare in Lisbon and Kaลกtela?
A monthly transit pass in Kaลกtela runs roughly 21% less than in Lisbon. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Lisbon and Kaลกtela?
Childcare runs $608 in Lisbon versus $188 in Kaลกtela. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $1,356 in Kaลกtela versus $2,263 in Lisbon, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Kaลกtela but tight or insufficient in Lisbon. The gap between the two cities makes Kaลกtela the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Lisbon and Kaลกtela?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better โ the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Lisbon or Kaลกtela safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Lisbon and Kaลกtela 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 Kaลกtela?
Expats usually find Kaลกtela gentler on the wallet โ expenses run 67% less than in Lisbon. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.