😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,291 in Lisbon versus $2,024 in Marsaxlokk.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,322 in Lisbon versus $3,037 in Marsaxlokk.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,354 in Lisbon versus $4,050 in Marsaxlokk.
🌍Living in Lisbon is roughly 13% more expensive than in Marsaxlokk, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Lisbon71% above, Marsaxlokk51% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Lisbon
Marsaxlokk
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$16.19€14.18
$20.78€18.20
-22.09%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$63.3€55.5
$96.2€84.3
-34.20%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.32€9.04
$11.74€10.28
-12.10%
Cappuccino
$2.83€2.48
$3.02€2.65
-6.29%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.29€2.01
$3.12€2.73
-26.60%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.58€1.38
$2.24€1.96
-29.46%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.40€2.98
$4.69€4.10
-27.51%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.03€3.53
$4.76€4.17
-15.34%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lisbon
Marsaxlokk
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09€0.96
$1.35€1.18
-19.26%
White Bread(500g)
$1.75€1.53
$1.25€1.09
40.00%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.76€1.54
$4.31€3.77
-59.16%
Eggs
$3.17€2.77
$4.65€4.07
-31.83%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.19€11.56
$10.47€9.17
25.98%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.97€6.98
$9.19€8.05
-13.28%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.53€13.60
$13.91€12.19
11.65%
Apples(1kg)
$2.37€2.07
$4.23€3.71
-43.97%
Banana(1kg)
$1.71€1.49
$3.05€2.67
-43.93%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.01€1.76
$3.23€2.83
-37.77%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.43€2.13
$3.76€3.30
-35.37%
Potato(1kg)
$1.76€1.54
$2.48€2.18
-29.03%
Onion(1kg)
$2.03€1.78
$1.33€1.17
52.63%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.92€1.68
$2.42€2.12
-20.66%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.85€0.74
$1.19€1.04
-28.57%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.58€5.76
$6.56€5.74
0.30%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.58€4.89
$8.28€7.25
-32.61%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.33€1.17
$1.86€1.63
-28.49%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.97€2.60
$2.24€1.96
32.59%
🚌 Getting Around
Lisbon
Marsaxlokk
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.28€1.99
$2.77€2.42
-17.69%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$45.79€40.10
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.23€3.70
$5.75€5.04
-26.43%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.81€0.71
$4.17€3.65
-80.58%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$18.44€16.15
$48.40€42.39
-61.90%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.08€1.82
$1.58€1.39
31.65%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.7K€30.4K
$39.0K€34.2K
-11.16%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$39.2K€34.3K
$37.7K€33.0K
3.98%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lisbon
Marsaxlokk
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$148€130
$92.9€81.3
59.42%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$20.46€17.92
$28.59€25.04
-28.44%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$39.56€34.64
$45.78€40.10
-13.59%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lisbon
Marsaxlokk
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$47.99€42.03
$64.0€56.0
-24.98%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.60€16.29
$23.46€20.55
-20.72%
Cinema Ticket
$9.22€8.08
$10.43€9.14
-11.60%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lisbon
Marsaxlokk
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$616€540
$431€378
42.88%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$16.4K€14.4K
$10.9K€9,512
51.38%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lisbon
Marsaxlokk
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$103€90.0
$92.7€81.2
10.76%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$41.74€36.55
$38.66€33.86
7.97%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$94.8€83.0
$105€92.1
-9.90%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$122€107
$100€87.9
21.62%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lisbon
Marsaxlokk
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,633€1,430
$1,114€975
46.60%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,232€1,079
$928€813
32.76%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,098€2,713
$1,950€1,708
58.86%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,031€1,779
$1,521€1,332
33.58%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,831€6,858
$3,478€3,046
125.19%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,389€3,844
$3,156€2,764
39.09%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Lisbon
Marsaxlokk
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,607€1,408
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.81
5.08
-25.00%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Lisbon: July 14, 2026
Last update for Marsaxlokk: July 11, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,633 in Lisbon and $1,114 in Marsaxlokk. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $63.0 in Lisbon vs $96.0 in Marsaxlokk for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $267 vs $316 per month, with Lisbon 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 Marsaxlokk: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Lisbon and in Marsaxlokk?
Lisbon and Marsaxlokk differ by about 13% in total monthly costs ($2,291 vs $2,024 including rent). Marsaxlokk 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 Marsaxlokk?
You'd need roughly $3,437 in Lisbon and $3,036 in Marsaxlokk 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.
How do apartment prices compare in Lisbon and in Marsaxlokk?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,633 in Lisbon versus $1,114 in Marsaxlokk. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Shoppers in Lisbon pay roughly 18% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.
Which city is more expensive overall: Lisbon or Marsaxlokk?
All in, you'll spend $2,291 per month in Lisbon versus $2,024 in Marsaxlokk – a 13% 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 $2,024 in Marsaxlokk versus $2,291 in Lisbon, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Marsaxlokk but tight or insufficient in Lisbon. The gap between the two cities makes Marsaxlokk the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Lisbon and Marsaxlokk?
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 Marsaxlokk safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Lisbon and Marsaxlokk 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 Marsaxlokk?
Expats usually find Marsaxlokk gentler on the wallet – expenses run 13% less than in Lisbon. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.