😐A single person spends $2,210 per month in Lisbon vs $800 in Langkawi, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $3,289 per month in Lisbon vs $1,240 in Langkawi, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $4,369 per month in Lisbon vs $1,679 in Langkawi, rent included.
😐Lisbon costs about 176% more than Langkawi, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Lisbon sits 65% above the global median, while Langkawi is 40% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Lisbon
Langkawi
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$15.71€13.76
$3.51MYR 14.34
347.58%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$62.9€55.1
$21.42MYR 87.5
193.46%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.53€9.23
$6.31MYR 25.79
66.88%
Cappuccino
$2.88€2.53
$1.49MYR 6.09
93.29%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.25€1.97
$0.79MYR 3.24
184.81%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.56€1.36
$0.61MYR 2.49
155.74%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.39€2.97
$3.59MYR 14.66
-5.57%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.90€3.41
$4.83MYR 19.72
-19.25%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lisbon
Langkawi
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.08€0.95
$1.49MYR 6.08
-27.52%
White Bread(500g)
$1.73€1.51
$1.17MYR 4.77
47.86%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.76€1.54
$1.29MYR 5.26
36.43%
Eggs
$3.16€2.77
$2.14MYR 8.72
47.66%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.29€11.64
$15.28MYR 62.4
-13.02%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.87€6.89
$4.32MYR 17.66
82.18%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.84€13.88
$9.52MYR 38.88
66.39%
Apples(1kg)
$2.40€2.11
$1.84MYR 7.54
30.43%
Banana(1kg)
$1.70€1.49
$1.48MYR 6.04
14.86%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.03€1.78
$2.50MYR 10.22
-18.80%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.52€2.21
$1.38MYR 5.66
82.61%
Potato(1kg)
$1.86€1.63
$1.19MYR 4.84
56.30%
Onion(1kg)
$2.06€1.81
$1.27MYR 5.21
62.20%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.00€1.75
$1.03MYR 4.22
94.17%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.78€0.68
$0.55MYR 2.26
41.82%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.65€5.82
$3.93MYR 16.04
69.21%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.78€5.06
$8.46MYR 34.57
-31.68%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.38€1.21
$0.89MYR 3.63
55.06%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.02€2.64
$2.86MYR 11.70
5.59%
🚌 Getting Around
Lisbon
Langkawi
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.33€2.04
$0.72MYR 2.95
223.61%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$45.45€39.82
$11.66MYR 47.61
289.79%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.08€3.57
$1.16MYR 4.76
251.72%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.80€0.70
$0.99MYR 4.03
-19.19%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$18.65€16.34
$5.75MYR 23.49
224.35%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.00€1.75
$0.50MYR 2.03
300.00%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.4K€31.0K
$34.7KMYR 141.9K
1.83%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$39.1K€34.2K
$31.6KMYR 129.1K
23.65%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lisbon
Langkawi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$150€132
$35.08MYR 143
327.94%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$20.55€18.01
$9.38MYR 38.33
119.08%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$39.45€34.56
$29.59MYR 121
33.32%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lisbon
Langkawi
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$48.06€42.11
$20.83MYR 85.1
130.72%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.70€16.38
$5.78MYR 23.59
223.53%
Cinema Ticket
$9.30€8.15
$4.99MYR 20.39
86.37%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lisbon
Langkawi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$628€550
$187MYR 762
236.49%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$16.5K€14.4K
$6,825MYR 27.9K
141.08%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lisbon
Langkawi
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$102€89.0
$59.6MYR 244
70.27%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$41.55€36.40
$27.84MYR 114
49.25%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$92.5€81.0
$74.4MYR 304
24.32%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$123€107
$50.1MYR 205
144.83%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lisbon
Langkawi
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,628€1,426
$394MYR 1,610
312.89%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,233€1,080
$267MYR 1,089
362.42%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,126€2,739
$639MYR 2,609
389.46%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,058€1,803
$464MYR 1,897
343.10%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,762€6,801
$1,163MYR 4,750
567.51%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,386€3,843
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Lisbon
Langkawi
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,621€1,420
$1,241MYR 5,069
30.64%
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: July 21, 2026
Last update for Langkawi: July 21, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $1,628 in Lisbon versus $394 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 31% 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 $21.00 in Langkawi. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $269 vs $215 – 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 in Langkawi compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $2,210 in Lisbon, $800 in Langkawi – roughly 176% 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 $3,315 per month in Lisbon and $1,200 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 in Langkawi?
Public transport costs about 290% 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 $628 per month in Lisbon and $187 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 $800, than in Lisbon at $2,210. 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 $800 in Langkawi to $2,210 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.