๐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,258 in Lisbon versus $1,822 in Montecatini Terme.
๐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,328 in Lisbon versus $2,657 in Montecatini Terme.
๐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,397 in Lisbon versus $3,493 in Montecatini Terme.
๐Living in Lisbon is roughly 24% more expensive than Montecatini Terme, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
๐Both cities are pricier than the global median: Lisbon68% above, Montecatini Terme35% above.
Currency
๐ฝ Eating Out
Lisbon
Montecatini Terme
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$15.82โฌ13.46
$20.99โฌ17.86
-24.63%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$64.4โฌ54.8
$37.99โฌ32.33
69.49%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.37โฌ8.82
$11.79โฌ10.04
-12.04%
Cappuccino
$2.89โฌ2.46
$1.66โฌ1.41
74.10%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.23โฌ1.90
$2.28โฌ1.94
-2.19%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.55โฌ1.32
$1.17โฌ1.00
32.48%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.38โฌ2.88
$5.10โฌ4.34
-33.73%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.90โฌ3.32
$5.70โฌ4.85
-31.58%
๐ Groceries & Markets
Lisbon
Montecatini Terme
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.12โฌ0.96
$1.40โฌ1.19
-20.00%
White Bread(500g)
$1.80โฌ1.53
$2.75โฌ2.34
-34.55%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.75โฌ1.49
$2.55โฌ2.17
-31.37%
Eggs
$3.17โฌ2.70
$4.61โฌ3.92
-31.24%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.50โฌ11.49
$10.48โฌ8.92
28.82%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.79โฌ6.63
$15.24โฌ12.97
-48.88%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.65โฌ13.32
$22.28โฌ18.96
-29.76%
Apples(1kg)
$2.28โฌ1.94
$2.71โฌ2.31
-15.87%
Banana(1kg)
$1.71โฌ1.46
$2.76โฌ2.35
-38.04%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.93โฌ1.65
$3.64โฌ3.10
-46.98%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.52โฌ2.15
$4.02โฌ3.42
-37.31%
Potato(1kg)
$1.79โฌ1.52
$2.81โฌ2.39
-36.30%
Onion(1kg)
$2.05โฌ1.74
$1.77โฌ1.50
15.82%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.94โฌ1.65
$1.56โฌ1.33
24.36%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.81โฌ0.69
$0.44โฌ0.38
84.09%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.65โฌ5.66
$6.50โฌ5.53
2.31%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.79โฌ4.92
$9.53โฌ8.11
-39.24%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.33โฌ1.14
$1.07โฌ0.91
24.30%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.91โฌ2.47
$1.52โฌ1.29
91.45%
๐ Getting Around
Lisbon
Montecatini Terme
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.35โฌ2.00
$1.72โฌ1.47
36.63%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$45.70โฌ38.89
$43.01โฌ36.60
6.25%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.20โฌ3.58
$6.89โฌ5.86
-39.04%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.81โฌ0.69
$1.12โฌ0.95
-27.68%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$18.70โฌ15.91
$32.72โฌ27.85
-42.85%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.09โฌ1.78
$2.02โฌ1.72
3.47%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.6Kโฌ29.5K
$27.9Kโฌ23.7K
24.16%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$39.7Kโฌ33.7K
$37.5Kโฌ31.9K
5.65%
๐งพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lisbon
Montecatini Terme
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$146โฌ124
$265โฌ226
-45.03%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$20.84โฌ17.73
$11.46โฌ9.75
81.85%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$39.78โฌ33.85
$30.72โฌ26.15
29.49%
๐ Sport & Entertainment
Lisbon
Montecatini Terme
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$48.58โฌ41.35
$60.1โฌ51.1
-19.11%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.85โฌ16.04
$23.18โฌ19.72
-18.68%
Cinema Ticket
$9.07โฌ7.72
$10.09โฌ8.59
-10.11%
๐งธ Childcare & Education
Lisbon
Montecatini Terme
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$618โฌ526
$714โฌ608
-13.50%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$16.2Kโฌ13.8K
$11.3Kโฌ9,623
42.93%
๐๐ Clothing & Footwear
Lisbon
Montecatini Terme
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$105โฌ89.0
$98.4โฌ83.8
6.23%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$40.54โฌ34.50
$35.21โฌ29.96
15.14%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$93.8โฌ79.8
$103โฌ87.3
-8.62%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$123โฌ104
$131โฌ111
-6.25%
๐ Accommodation & Living
Lisbon
Montecatini Terme
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,604โฌ1,365
$750โฌ638
113.91%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,260โฌ1,073
$585โฌ498
115.61%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,065โฌ2,608
$1,234โฌ1,050
148.33%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,008โฌ1,709
$935โฌ795
114.88%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,702โฌ6,555
$2,687โฌ2,287
186.63%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,367โฌ3,716
$2,331โฌ1,983
87.35%
๐ต Salaries & Financials
Lisbon
Montecatini Terme
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,638โฌ1,394
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.81
4
-4.75%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input โ minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Lisbon: April 13, 2026
Last update for Montecatini Terme: April 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
๐ A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,604 in Lisbon and $750 in Montecatini Terme. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
๐Dining out: $64 in Lisbon vs $38 in Montecatini Terme. Groceries flip the comparison at $268 vs $360, with Lisbon cheaper for home cooking.
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 Montecatini Terme: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Lisbon and Montecatini Terme?
Lisbon and Montecatini Terme differ by about 24% in total monthly costs ($2,258 vs $1,822 including rent). Montecatini Terme is meaningfully more affordable โ a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
What salary covers living expenses in Lisbon compared to Montecatini Terme?
You'd need roughly $3,387 in Lisbon and $2,733 in Montecatini Terme 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 Montecatini Terme?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,604 in Lisbon versus $750 in Montecatini Terme. 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 Montecatini Terme?
Childcare runs $618 in Lisbon versus $714 in Montecatini Terme. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Shoppers in Lisbon pay roughly 34% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.
Which city is more doable on $2,500 per month?
At $1,822 in Montecatini Terme versus $2,258 in Lisbon, a $2,500 budget is realistic in Montecatini Terme but tight or insufficient in Lisbon. The gap between the two cities makes Montecatini Terme the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Lisbon and Montecatini Terme?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better โ the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Lisbon or Montecatini Terme safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Lisbon and Montecatini Terme 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 Montecatini Terme?
Expats usually find Montecatini Terme gentler on the wallet โ expenses run 24% less than in Lisbon. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.