😐A single person spends $2,210 per month in Lisbon vs $1,723 in La Rochelle, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $3,311 per month in Lisbon vs $2,732 in La Rochelle, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $4,411 per month in Lisbon vs $3,740 in La Rochelle, rent included.
😐Lisbon costs about 28% more than La Rochelle, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both Lisbon and La Rochelle sit above the global median – Lisbon by 65%, La Rochelle by 29%.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Lisbon
La Rochelle
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$15.91€13.70
$13.83€11.91
15.04%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$64.8€55.8
$58.7€50.5
10.38%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.51€9.05
$12.91€11.11
-18.59%
Cappuccino
$2.87€2.47
$3.31€2.85
-13.29%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.24€1.93
$2.52€2.17
-11.11%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.50€1.29
$1.76€1.52
-14.77%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.49€3.01
$8.17€7.03
-57.28%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.88€3.34
$5.88€5.07
-34.01%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lisbon
La Rochelle
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.14€0.98
$1.24€1.07
-8.06%
White Bread(500g)
$1.75€1.51
$2.00€1.72
-12.50%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.76€1.51
$3.09€2.66
-43.04%
Eggs
$3.22€2.77
$2.99€2.58
7.69%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.49€11.61
$11.09€9.55
21.64%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.91€6.81
$12.61€10.86
-37.27%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.87€13.67
$23.90€20.57
-33.60%
Apples(1kg)
$2.31€1.99
$3.45€2.97
-33.04%
Banana(1kg)
$1.70€1.46
$1.71€1.47
-0.58%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.01€1.73
$2.64€2.27
-23.86%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.46€2.12
$3.66€3.15
-32.79%
Potato(1kg)
$1.84€1.59
$2.93€2.53
-37.20%
Onion(1kg)
$2.00€1.72
$3.40€2.92
-41.18%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.93€1.66
$1.69€1.46
14.20%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.79€0.68
$0.59€0.51
33.90%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.61€5.69
$13.67€11.77
-51.65%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.72€4.93
$8.65€7.44
-33.87%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.37€1.18
$2.63€2.26
-47.91%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.97€2.56
$3.57€3.07
-16.81%
🚌 Getting Around
Lisbon
La Rochelle
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.37€2.04
$1.76€1.52
34.66%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$45.56€39.22
$41.32€35.57
10.26%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.29€3.69
$4.53€3.90
-5.30%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.82€0.70
$1.73€1.49
-52.60%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$18.30€15.76
$35.46€30.52
-48.39%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.06€1.78
$2.08€1.79
-0.96%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.3K€29.5K
$38.0K€32.7K
-9.72%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$39.3K€33.8K
$32.5K€28.0K
20.74%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lisbon
La Rochelle
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$148€127
$172€148
-14.11%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$20.52€17.67
$20.71€17.83
-0.92%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$39.61€34.10
$33.24€28.62
19.16%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lisbon
La Rochelle
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$47.85€41.19
$38.08€32.78
25.66%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.92€16.29
$18.40€15.84
2.83%
Cinema Ticket
$9.18€7.91
$9.46€8.14
-2.96%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lisbon
La Rochelle
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$614€529
$692€596
-11.34%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$16.0K€13.8K
$11.3K€9,726
42.06%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lisbon
La Rochelle
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$105€90.1
$70.4€60.6
48.62%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.06€36.21
$31.27€26.92
34.51%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$94.0€80.9
$97.6€84.0
-3.74%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$120€103
$221€190
-45.75%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lisbon
La Rochelle
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,628€1,401
$1,164€1,002
39.86%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,255€1,081
$613€528
104.78%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,030€2,609
$1,404€1,209
115.86%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,020€1,739
$1,158€997
74.50%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,800€6,715
$7,555€6,504
3.24%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,273€3,678
$4,469€3,847
-4.39%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Lisbon
La Rochelle
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,603€1,380
$2,867€2,468
-44.08%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.81
3.62
5.25%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Lisbon: June 1, 2026
Last update for La Rochelle: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $1,628 in Lisbon versus $1,164 in La Rochelle. 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 79% higher in La Rochelle, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $65.0 in Lisbon versus $59.0 in La Rochelle. Groceries tell a different story – $269 in Lisbon vs $348 in La Rochelle – so Lisbon wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.
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 La Rochelle: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Lisbon or La Rochelle?
Lisbon costs about 28% more than La Rochelle, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Lisbon vs La Rochelle?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,315 per month in Lisbon and $2,585 in La Rochelle. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Lisbon or La Rochelle?
Rent is clearly cheaper in La Rochelle, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do childcare costs compare in Lisbon and La Rochelle?
Kindergarten costs $614 per month in Lisbon and $692 in La Rochelle. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Lisbon or La Rochelle?
Interestingly, groceries are about 29% cheaper in Lisbon – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
Can you live on $2,000/month in Lisbon or La Rochelle?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in La Rochelle, where all-in costs run around $1,723, than in Lisbon at $2,210. In La Rochelle it covers expenses comfortably, while in Lisbon it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Lisbon or La Rochelle?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. La Rochelle costs $1,723 versus $2,210 in Lisbon. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Lisbon compared to La Rochelle?
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.
Should I move to Lisbon or La Rochelle?
If budget matters most, go with La Rochelle. 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.