Cost of Living Comparison Between Lisbon and MgarrCost of Living Comparison Between Lisbon and Mgarr
Monthly Cost of Living
😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,210 in Lisbon versus $2,045 in Mgarr.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,311 in Lisbon versus $3,069 in Mgarr.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,411 in Lisbon versus $4,092 in Mgarr.
😐Living in Lisbon is roughly 8% more expensive than Mgarr, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Lisbon65% above, Mgarr53% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Lisbon
Mgarr
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$15.91€13.70
$20.21€17.40
-21.28%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$64.8€55.8
$70.7€60.9
-8.34%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.51€9.05
$11.80€10.16
-10.93%
Cappuccino
$2.87€2.47
$2.67€2.30
7.49%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.24€1.93
$2.70€2.32
-17.04%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.50€1.30
$1.97€1.70
-23.86%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.49€3.01
$4.83€4.16
-27.74%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.88€3.34
$5.00€4.30
-22.40%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lisbon
Mgarr
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.14€0.98
$1.37€1.18
-16.79%
White Bread(500g)
$1.75€1.51
$1.53€1.32
14.38%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.76€1.51
$3.57€3.07
-50.70%
Eggs
$3.22€2.77
$3.79€3.26
-15.04%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.49€11.62
$9.63€8.29
40.08%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.91€6.81
$10.64€9.17
-25.66%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.87€13.67
$14.00€12.05
13.36%
Apples(1kg)
$2.31€1.99
$3.32€2.86
-30.42%
Banana(1kg)
$1.70€1.46
$1.95€1.68
-12.82%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.01€1.73
$2.85€2.45
-29.47%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.46€2.12
$3.37€2.90
-27.00%
Potato(1kg)
$1.84€1.59
$1.85€1.59
-0.54%
Onion(1kg)
$2.00€1.72
$2.81€2.42
-28.83%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.93€1.66
$1.94€1.67
-0.52%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.79€0.68
$1.23€1.06
-35.77%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.61€5.69
$6.54€5.64
1.07%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.72€4.93
$6.29€5.41
-9.06%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.37€1.18
$2.37€2.04
-42.19%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.97€2.56
$1.79€1.54
65.92%
🚌 Getting Around
Lisbon
Mgarr
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.37€2.04
$2.82€2.43
-15.96%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$45.56€39.23
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.29€3.69
$8.00€6.89
-46.38%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.82€0.70
$1.95€1.68
-57.95%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$18.30€15.76
$34.51€29.71
-46.97%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.06€1.78
$1.53€1.32
34.64%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.3K€29.5K
$26.6K€22.9K
28.89%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$39.3K€33.8K
$41.1K€35.4K
-4.47%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lisbon
Mgarr
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$148€127
$170€146
-13.04%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$20.52€17.67
$30.03€25.86
-31.67%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$39.61€34.11
$33.20€28.59
19.31%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lisbon
Mgarr
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$47.85€41.20
$63.8€54.9
-24.99%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.92€16.29
$22.81€19.64
-17.05%
Cinema Ticket
$9.18€7.91
$15.50€13.35
-40.77%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lisbon
Mgarr
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$614€529
$266€229
131.03%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$16.0K€13.8K
$13.0K€11.2K
23.83%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lisbon
Mgarr
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$105€90.1
$103€89.1
1.13%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.06€36.22
$38.76€33.38
8.51%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$94.0€80.9
$146€126
-35.84%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$120€103
$102€88.2
16.86%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lisbon
Mgarr
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,628€1,402
$1,109€955
46.73%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,255€1,081
$950€818
32.11%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,030€2,609
$1,959€1,687
54.68%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,020€1,740
$1,487€1,281
35.84%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,800€6,716
$3,798€3,270
105.37%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,273€3,679
$3,297€2,839
29.58%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Lisbon
Mgarr
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,603€1,381
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.81
5.43
-29.83%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Lisbon: June 1, 2026
Last update for Mgarr: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,628 in Lisbon and $1,109 in Mgarr. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $65.0 in Lisbon vs $71.0 in Mgarr for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $269 vs $301 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 Mgarr: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Lisbon and Mgarr?
Lisbon and Mgarr differ by about 8% in total monthly costs ($2,210 vs $2,045 including rent). Mgarr 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 Mgarr?
You'd need roughly $3,315 in Lisbon and $3,068 in Mgarr 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 Mgarr?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,628 in Lisbon versus $1,109 in Mgarr. 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 12% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.
Which city is more expensive overall: Lisbon or Mgarr?
All in, you'll spend $2,210 per month in Lisbon versus $2,045 in Mgarr – a 8% 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 $2,045 in Mgarr versus $2,210 in Lisbon, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Mgarr but tight or insufficient in Lisbon. The gap between the two cities makes Mgarr the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Lisbon and Mgarr?
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 Mgarr safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Lisbon and Mgarr 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 Mgarr?
Expats usually find Mgarr gentler on the wallet – expenses run 8% less than in Lisbon. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.