😐A single person spends $2,227 per month in Lisbon vs $1,914 in Las Cruces, NM, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $3,305 per month in Lisbon vs $2,870 in Las Cruces, NM, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $4,384 per month in Lisbon vs $3,826 in Las Cruces, NM, rent included.
😐Lisbon costs about 16% more than Las Cruces, NM, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both Lisbon and Las Cruces, NM sit above the global median – Lisbon by 66%, Las Cruces, NM by 43%.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Lisbon
Las Cruces, NM
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$16.17€13.84
$19.71$19.71
-17.96%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$64.6€55.3
$47.33$47.33
36.43%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.38€8.88
$12.06$12.06
-13.93%
Cappuccino
$2.77€2.37
$5.31$5.31
-47.83%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.25€1.92
$2.64$2.64
-14.77%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.57€1.35
$1.88$1.88
-16.49%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.49€2.99
$4.86$4.86
-28.19%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.00€3.43
$6.02$6.02
-33.55%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lisbon
Las Cruces, NM
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.08€0.93
$0.75$0.75
44.00%
White Bread(500g)
$1.74€1.49
$2.43$2.43
-28.40%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.74€1.49
$2.59$2.59
-32.82%
Eggs
$3.18€2.72
$3.17$3.17
0.32%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.43€11.50
$11.29$11.29
18.95%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.99€6.84
$11.33$11.33
-29.48%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$16.09€13.77
$12.37$12.37
30.07%
Apples(1kg)
$2.28€1.95
$3.92$3.92
-41.84%
Banana(1kg)
$1.72€1.48
$1.32$1.32
30.30%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.94€1.66
$3.79$3.79
-48.81%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.54€2.18
$2.46$2.46
3.25%
Potato(1kg)
$1.83€1.57
$2.02$2.02
-9.41%
Onion(1kg)
$2.04€1.75
$2.32$2.32
-12.07%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.98€1.69
$1.83$1.83
8.20%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.85€0.73
$1.30$1.30
-34.62%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.85€5.87
$8.10$8.10
-15.43%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.78€4.94
$14.72$14.72
-60.73%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.37€1.18
$2.14$2.14
-35.98%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.90€2.48
$3.23$3.23
-10.22%
🚌 Getting Around
Lisbon
Las Cruces, NM
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.28€1.95
$4.53$4.53
-49.67%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$46.84€40.10
$31.73$31.73
47.62%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.08€3.49
$1.67$1.67
144.31%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.82€0.70
$2.90$2.90
-71.72%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$18.27€15.64
$26.82$26.82
-31.88%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.01€1.72
$0.76$0.76
164.47%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.3K€30.2K
$23.4K$23.4K
50.60%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$38.5K€32.9K
$23.6K$23.6K
63.04%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lisbon
Las Cruces, NM
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$145€124
$126$126
15.30%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$20.96€17.94
$53.0$53.0
-60.43%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$40.05€34.29
$70.6$70.6
-43.25%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lisbon
Las Cruces, NM
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$48.79€41.76
$39.48$39.48
23.58%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.69€16.00
$19.36$19.36
-3.46%
Cinema Ticket
$9.06€7.76
$9.80$9.80
-7.55%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lisbon
Las Cruces, NM
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$607€519
$443$443
36.82%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$16.3K€14.0K
$7,017$7,017
132.72%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lisbon
Las Cruces, NM
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$105€89.6
$39.41$39.41
165.57%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$40.95€35.06
$31.58$31.58
29.67%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$93.6€80.1
$74.3$74.3
26.03%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$119€101
$99.3$99.3
19.34%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lisbon
Las Cruces, NM
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,604€1,373
$997$997
60.81%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,236€1,058
$771$771
60.35%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,046€2,607
$1,832$1,832
66.29%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,057€1,761
$1,419$1,419
44.98%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,709€6,599
$1,968$1,968
291.80%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,266€3,652
$2,022$2,022
110.96%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Lisbon
Las Cruces, NM
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,584€1,356
$3,641$3,641
-56.49%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.81
6.51
-41.47%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Lisbon: April 26, 2026
Last update for Las Cruces, NM: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $1,604 in Lisbon versus $997 in Las Cruces, NM. 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 130% higher in Las Cruces, NM, 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 $47.00 in Las Cruces, NM. Groceries tell a different story – $271 in Lisbon vs $318 in Las Cruces, NM – 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 Las Cruces, NM: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Lisbon or Las Cruces, NM?
Lisbon costs about 16% more than Las Cruces, NM, with the gap driven mainly by Eating Out. 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 Las Cruces, NM?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,341 per month in Lisbon and $2,871 in Las Cruces, NM. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Lisbon or Las Cruces, NM?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Las Cruces, NM, 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 Las Cruces, NM?
Kindergarten costs $607 per month in Lisbon and $443 in Las Cruces, NM. 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 Las Cruces, NM?
Interestingly, groceries are about 17% 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 Las Cruces, NM?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Las Cruces, NM, where all-in costs run around $1,914, than in Lisbon at $2,227. In Las Cruces, NM 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 Las Cruces, NM?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Las Cruces, NM costs $1,914 versus $2,227 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 Las Cruces, NM?
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 Las Cruces, NM?
If budget matters most, go with Las Cruces, NM. 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.