🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,227 in Lisbon versus $2,802 in Mesa, AZ.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,305 in Lisbon versus $4,022 in Mesa, AZ.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,384 in Lisbon versus $5,243 in Mesa, AZ.
🙂Living in Lisbon costs roughly 21% less than in Mesa, AZ, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Lisbon66% above, Mesa, AZ109% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Lisbon
Mesa, AZ
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$16.17€13.84
$20.26$20.26
-20.19%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$64.6€55.3
$74.2$74.2
-12.95%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.38€8.88
$12.17$12.17
-14.71%
Cappuccino
$2.77€2.37
$5.71$5.71
-51.49%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.25€1.92
$2.74$2.74
-17.88%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.57€1.35
$2.11$2.11
-25.59%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.49€2.99
$6.03$6.03
-42.12%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.00€3.43
$6.85$6.85
-41.61%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lisbon
Mesa, AZ
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.08€0.93
$0.85$0.85
27.06%
White Bread(500g)
$1.74€1.49
$4.08$4.08
-57.35%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.74€1.49
$5.08$5.08
-65.75%
Eggs
$3.18€2.72
$4.74$4.74
-32.91%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.43€11.50
$11.77$11.77
14.10%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.99€6.84
$11.85$11.85
-32.57%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$16.09€13.77
$15.20$15.20
5.86%
Apples(1kg)
$2.28€1.95
$4.98$4.98
-54.22%
Banana(1kg)
$1.72€1.48
$1.96$1.96
-12.24%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.94€1.66
$4.02$4.02
-51.74%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.54€2.18
$5.20$5.20
-51.15%
Potato(1kg)
$1.83€1.57
$3.20$3.20
-42.81%
Onion(1kg)
$2.04€1.75
$2.65$2.65
-23.02%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.98€1.69
$1.86$1.86
6.45%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.85€0.73
$2.51$2.51
-66.14%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.85€5.87
$9.24$9.24
-25.87%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.78€4.94
$15.04$15.04
-61.57%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.37€1.18
$2.09$2.09
-34.45%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.90€2.48
$3.59$3.59
-19.22%
🚌 Getting Around
Lisbon
Mesa, AZ
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.28€1.95
$2.05$2.05
11.22%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$46.84€40.10
$44.29$44.29
5.76%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.08€3.49
$3.83$3.83
6.53%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.82€0.70
$1.34$1.34
-38.81%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$18.27€15.64
$36.18$36.18
-49.50%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.01€1.72
$1.01$1.01
99.01%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.3K€30.2K
$31.3K$31.3K
12.52%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$38.5K€32.9K
$26.7K$26.7K
44.15%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lisbon
Mesa, AZ
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$145€124
$255$255
-43.07%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$20.96€17.94
$69.1$69.1
-69.68%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$40.05€34.29
$82.4$82.4
-51.38%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lisbon
Mesa, AZ
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$48.79€41.76
$42.82$42.82
13.94%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.69€16.00
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$9.06€7.76
$11.86$11.86
-23.61%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lisbon
Mesa, AZ
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$607€519
$1,160$1,160
-47.70%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$16.3K€14.0K
$15.5K$15.5K
5.10%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lisbon
Mesa, AZ
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$105€89.6
$51.0$51.0
105.34%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$40.95€35.06
$39.03$39.03
4.92%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$93.6€80.1
$91.2$91.2
2.64%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$119€101
$121$121
-2.28%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lisbon
Mesa, AZ
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,604€1,373
$1,745$1,745
-8.07%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,236€1,058
$1,377$1,377
-10.26%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,046€2,607
$2,460$2,460
23.81%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,057€1,761
$2,364$2,364
-13.01%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,709€6,599
$2,916$2,916
164.35%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,266€3,652
$3,426$3,426
24.51%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Lisbon
Mesa, AZ
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,584€1,356
$4,003$4,003
-60.43%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.81
6.46
-41.02%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Lisbon: April 26, 2026
Last update for Mesa, AZ: April 25, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,604 in Lisbon and $1,745 in Mesa, AZ. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Mesa, AZ pays 153% 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 $74.0 in Mesa, AZ for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $271 vs $408 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 Mesa, AZ: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Lisbon and Mesa, AZ?
Lisbon and Mesa, AZ differ by about 26% in total monthly costs ($2,227 vs $2,802 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, Mesa, AZ earns 153% 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 Mesa, AZ?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,604 in Lisbon versus $1,745 in Mesa, AZ. 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 Mesa, AZ?
Childcare runs $607 in Lisbon versus $1,160 in Mesa, AZ. 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 51% higher in Mesa, AZ. 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 $2,227 in Lisbon versus $2,802 in Mesa, AZ, a $3,000 budget is realistic in Lisbon but tight or insufficient in Mesa, AZ. 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 Mesa, AZ?
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 Mesa, AZ safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Lisbon and Mesa, AZ 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 Mesa, AZ?
Expats usually find Lisbon gentler on the wallet – expenses run 26% less than in Mesa, AZ. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.