😐A single person spends $2,243 per month in Lisbon vs $826 in Langkawi, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $3,315 per month in Lisbon vs $1,252 in Langkawi, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $4,387 per month in Lisbon vs $1,678 in Langkawi, rent included.
😐Lisbon costs about 172% more than Langkawi, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Lisbon sits 67% above the global median, while Langkawi is 38% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Lisbon
Langkawi
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$15.73€13.42
$3.47MYR 13.69
353.31%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$63.2€53.9
$21.36MYR 84.4
195.69%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.32€8.80
$6.31MYR 24.92
63.55%
Cappuccino
$2.81€2.40
$1.57MYR 6.21
78.98%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.33€1.99
$0.78MYR 3.10
198.72%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.51€1.29
$0.56MYR 2.23
169.64%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.37€2.87
$3.52MYR 13.89
-4.26%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.91€3.34
$4.89MYR 19.32
-20.04%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lisbon
Langkawi
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.08€0.92
$1.56MYR 6.15
-30.77%
White Bread(500g)
$1.75€1.49
$1.11MYR 4.39
57.66%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.75€1.50
$1.25MYR 4.95
40.00%
Eggs
$3.10€2.64
$2.12MYR 8.39
46.23%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.28€11.33
$15.09MYR 59.6
-11.99%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.85€6.70
$4.31MYR 17.02
82.13%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$16.05€13.69
$9.49MYR 37.49
69.13%
Apples(1kg)
$2.39€2.04
$1.91MYR 7.54
25.13%
Banana(1kg)
$1.72€1.47
$1.53MYR 6.05
12.42%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.97€1.68
$2.50MYR 9.89
-21.20%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.55€2.17
$1.42MYR 5.63
79.58%
Potato(1kg)
$1.79€1.53
$1.18MYR 4.65
51.69%
Onion(1kg)
$1.97€1.68
$1.27MYR 5.00
55.12%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.96€1.67
$1.00MYR 3.94
96.00%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84€0.71
$0.53MYR 2.08
58.49%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.82€5.82
$3.83MYR 15.15
78.07%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.85€4.99
$18.85MYR 74.5
-68.97%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.38€1.18
$0.87MYR 3.45
58.62%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.92€2.49
$2.91MYR 11.48
0.34%
🚌 Getting Around
Lisbon
Langkawi
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.29€1.95
$0.73MYR 2.88
213.70%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$46.88€39.99
$11.72MYR 46.29
300.00%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.12€3.51
$1.15MYR 4.54
258.26%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.81€0.69
$0.99MYR 3.91
-18.18%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$18.94€16.16
$5.83MYR 23.02
224.87%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.09€1.78
$0.49MYR 1.95
326.53%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.1K€30.0K
$35.8KMYR 141.2K
-1.78%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$39.7K€33.9K
$31.3KMYR 123.5K
27.05%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lisbon
Langkawi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$150€128
$35.71MYR 141
318.82%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$20.49€17.48
$9.18MYR 36.27
123.20%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$39.15€33.40
$29.55MYR 117
32.49%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lisbon
Langkawi
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$49.65€42.35
$20.82MYR 82.3
138.47%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.47€15.76
$5.97MYR 23.57
209.38%
Cinema Ticket
$9.20€7.84
$5.06MYR 19.99
81.82%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lisbon
Langkawi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$624€533
$189MYR 745
230.94%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$15.9K€13.6K
$6,930MYR 27.4K
129.53%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lisbon
Langkawi
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$102€87.2
$60.1MYR 237
69.97%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$40.88€34.87
$26.98MYR 107
51.52%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$95.7€81.6
$71.6MYR 283
33.61%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$121€103
$50.4MYR 199
140.33%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lisbon
Langkawi
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,653€1,410
$386MYR 1,523
328.75%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,233€1,051
$273MYR 1,079
351.25%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,043€2,596
$634MYR 2,505
379.99%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,059€1,756
$476MYR 1,882
332.27%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,879€6,720
$1,741MYR 6,878
352.46%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,303€3,671
$964MYR 3,809
346.23%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Lisbon
Langkawi
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,566€1,336
$2,100MYR 8,294
-25.41%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.81
4.07
-6.39%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Lisbon: April 21, 2026
Last update for Langkawi: April 22, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $1,653 in Lisbon versus $386 in Langkawi. 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 34% higher in Langkawi, 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 $63 in Lisbon versus $21 in Langkawi. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $270 vs $236 – making Langkawi 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 Langkawi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Lisbon and Langkawi compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $2,243 in Lisbon, $826 in Langkawi – roughly 172% apart. Lisbon costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Lisbon compared to Langkawi?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,365 per month in Lisbon and $1,239 in Langkawi. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Lisbon and Langkawi?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Langkawi, 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 Langkawi?
Public transport costs about 300% less in Langkawi. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Lisbon and Langkawi?
Kindergarten costs $624 per month in Lisbon and $189 in Langkawi. 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 Langkawi, where all-in costs run around $826, than in Lisbon at $2,243. In Langkawi 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 Langkawi?
It depends on your priorities. Lisbon has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $826 in Langkawi to $2,243 in Lisbon. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Lisbon or Langkawi 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 Langkawi?
If budget matters most, go with Langkawi. 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.