🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,210 in Lisbon versus $2,434 in Memphis, TN.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,311 in Lisbon versus $3,435 in Memphis, TN.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,411 in Lisbon versus $4,437 in Memphis, TN.
🙂Living in Lisbon costs roughly 9% less than in Memphis, TN, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Lisbon65% above, Memphis, TN82% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Lisbon
Memphis, TN
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$15.91€13.69
$19.35$19.35
-17.78%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$64.8€55.7
$75.2$75.2
-13.90%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.51€9.04
$10.12$10.12
3.85%
Cappuccino
$2.87€2.47
$5.10$5.10
-43.73%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.24€1.93
$2.51$2.51
-10.76%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.50€1.29
$1.95$1.95
-23.08%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.49€3.00
$6.11$6.11
-42.88%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.88€3.34
$7.88$7.88
-50.76%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lisbon
Memphis, TN
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.14€0.98
$0.93$0.93
22.58%
White Bread(500g)
$1.75€1.51
$2.76$2.76
-36.59%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.76€1.51
$4.54$4.54
-61.23%
Eggs
$3.22€2.77
$4.13$4.13
-22.03%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.49€11.61
$11.37$11.37
18.65%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.91€6.81
$11.08$11.08
-28.61%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.87€13.65
$15.58$15.58
1.86%
Apples(1kg)
$2.31€1.99
$6.35$6.35
-63.62%
Banana(1kg)
$1.70€1.46
$1.57$1.57
8.28%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.01€1.73
$5.27$5.27
-61.86%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.46€2.12
$4.90$4.90
-49.80%
Potato(1kg)
$1.84€1.59
$5.12$5.12
-64.06%
Onion(1kg)
$2.00€1.72
$3.51$3.51
-43.02%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.93€1.66
$2.34$2.34
-17.52%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.79€0.68
$2.47$2.47
-68.02%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.61€5.68
$7.79$7.79
-15.15%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.72€4.92
$14.26$14.26
-59.89%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.37€1.17
$1.69$1.69
-18.93%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.97€2.56
$1.93$1.93
53.89%
🚌 Getting Around
Lisbon
Memphis, TN
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.37€2.04
$1.24$1.24
91.13%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$45.56€39.19
$12.53$12.53
263.61%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.29€3.69
$2.05$2.05
109.27%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.82€0.70
$1.36$1.36
-39.71%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$18.30€15.74
$20.39$20.39
-10.25%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.06€1.78
$0.82$0.82
151.22%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.3K€29.5K
$32.9K$32.9K
4.19%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$39.3K€33.8K
$27.0K$27.0K
45.44%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lisbon
Memphis, TN
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$148€127
$212$212
-30.15%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$20.52€17.65
$59.9$59.9
-65.72%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$39.61€34.08
$68.3$68.3
-41.97%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lisbon
Memphis, TN
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$47.85€41.16
$38.34$38.34
24.80%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.92€16.28
$17.69$17.69
6.95%
Cinema Ticket
$9.18€7.90
$12.78$12.78
-28.17%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lisbon
Memphis, TN
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$614€528
$1,591$1,591
-61.41%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$16.0K€13.8K
$26.7K$26.7K
-39.95%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lisbon
Memphis, TN
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$105€90.0
$39.46$39.46
165.23%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.06€36.18
$32.08$32.08
31.11%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$94.0€80.8
$73.6$73.6
27.70%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$120€103
$138$138
-13.05%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lisbon
Memphis, TN
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,628€1,400
$1,197$1,197
36.00%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,255€1,080
$1,154$1,154
8.82%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,030€2,607
$1,586$1,586
91.07%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,020€1,738
$1,637$1,637
23.44%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,800€6,709
$1,757$1,757
343.81%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,273€3,675
$1,380$1,380
209.71%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Lisbon
Memphis, TN
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,603€1,379
$3,642$3,642
-55.97%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.81
6.53
-41.65%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Lisbon: June 1, 2026
Last update for Memphis, TN: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,628 in Lisbon and $1,197 in Memphis, TN. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Memphis, TN pays 127% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $65.0 in Lisbon vs $75.0 in Memphis, TN for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $269 vs $397 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 Memphis, TN: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Lisbon and Memphis, TN?
Lisbon and Memphis, TN differ by about 10% in total monthly costs ($2,210 vs $2,434 including rent). Lisbon is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, Memphis, TN earns 127% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do apartment prices compare in Lisbon and Memphis, TN?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,628 in Lisbon versus $1,197 in Memphis, TN. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Lisbon and Memphis, TN?
Childcare runs $614 in Lisbon versus $1,591 in Memphis, TN. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Supermarket bills run roughly 47% higher in Memphis, TN. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city is more doable on $3,000 per month?
At $2,210 in Lisbon versus $2,434 in Memphis, TN, a $3,000 budget is realistic in Lisbon but tight or insufficient in Memphis, TN. The gap between the two cities makes Lisbon the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Lisbon and Memphis, TN?
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 Memphis, TN safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Lisbon and Memphis, TN 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 Memphis, TN?
Expats usually find Lisbon gentler on the wallet – expenses run 10% less than in Memphis, TN. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.