😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,291 in Lisbon versus $175 in Livingstone.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,322 in Lisbon versus $319 in Livingstone.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,354 in Lisbon versus $462 in Livingstone.
🌍Living in Lisbon is roughly 1209% more expensive than in Livingstone, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Lisbon is 71% above, Livingstone is 87% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Lisbon
Livingstone
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$16.19€14.18
$6.20ZMW 113
161.13%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$63.3€55.5
$25.23ZMW 459
151.01%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.32€9.04
$7.36ZMW 134
40.22%
Cappuccino
$2.83€2.48
$4.05ZMW 73.7
-30.12%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.29€2.01
-
-
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.58€1.38
$0.30ZMW 5.53
426.67%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.40€2.98
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.03€3.53
-
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lisbon
Livingstone
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09€0.96
-
-
White Bread(500g)
$1.75€1.53
-
-
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.76€1.54
-
-
Eggs
$3.17€2.77
-
-
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.19€11.56
-
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.97€6.98
-
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.53€13.60
-
-
Apples(1kg)
$2.37€2.07
-
-
Banana(1kg)
$1.71€1.49
-
-
Oranges(1kg)
$2.01€1.76
-
-
Tomato(1kg)
$2.43€2.13
-
-
Potato(1kg)
$1.76€1.54
-
-
Onion(1kg)
$2.03€1.78
-
-
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.92€1.68
-
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.85€0.74
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.58€5.76
-
-
Wine(Bottle)
$5.58€4.89
$22.63ZMW 412
-75.34%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.33€1.17
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.97€2.60
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Lisbon
Livingstone
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.28€1.99
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$45.79€40.10
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.23€3.70
-
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.81€0.71
$1.74ZMW 31.72
-53.45%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$18.44€16.15
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.08€1.82
-
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.7K€30.4K
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$39.2K€34.3K
-
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lisbon
Livingstone
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$148€130
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$20.46€17.92
-
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$39.56€34.64
-
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lisbon
Livingstone
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$47.99€42.03
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.60€16.29
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$9.22€8.08
-
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lisbon
Livingstone
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$616€540
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$16.4K€14.4K
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lisbon
Livingstone
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$103€90.0
-
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$41.74€36.55
-
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$94.8€83.0
-
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$122€107
-
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lisbon
Livingstone
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,633€1,430
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,232€1,079
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,098€2,713
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,031€1,779
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,831€6,858
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,389€3,844
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Lisbon
Livingstone
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,607€1,408
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.81
0
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Lisbon: July 14, 2026
Last update for Livingstone: July 14, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🛒Dining out: $63.0 in Lisbon vs $25.00 in Livingstone for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $267 vs $45.00 per month, with Livingstone cheaper across the board.
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 Livingstone: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Lisbon and in Livingstone?
Lisbon and Livingstone differ by about 1209% in total monthly costs ($2,291 vs $175 including rent). Livingstone is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
What salary covers living expenses in Lisbon compared to Livingstone?
You'd need roughly $3,437 in Lisbon and $262 in Livingstone to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Livingstone – a meal for two runs $25.00 versus $63.0 in Lisbon. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more expensive overall: Lisbon or Livingstone?
All in, you'll spend $2,291 per month in Lisbon versus $175 in Livingstone – a 1209% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $175 in Livingstone versus $2,291 in Lisbon, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Livingstone but tight or insufficient in Lisbon. The gap between the two cities makes Livingstone the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Lisbon and Livingstone?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Lisbon or Livingstone safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Lisbon and Livingstone 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 Livingstone?
Expats usually find Livingstone gentler on the wallet – expenses run 1209% less than in Lisbon. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.