😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,227 in Lisbon versus $2,098 in Oberhausen.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,305 in Lisbon versus $2,991 in Oberhausen.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,384 in Lisbon versus $3,884 in Oberhausen.
😐Living in Lisbon is roughly 6% more expensive than Oberhausen, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Lisbon66% above, Oberhausen57% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Lisbon
Oberhausen
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$16.17€13.81
$18.29€15.62
-11.59%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$64.6€55.1
$68.9€58.9
-6.33%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.38€8.86
$13.92€11.89
-25.43%
Cappuccino
$2.77€2.37
$4.13€3.53
-32.93%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.25€1.92
$3.33€2.85
-32.43%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.57€1.34
$3.08€2.63
-49.03%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.49€2.98
$4.75€4.05
-26.53%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.00€3.42
$4.66€3.98
-14.16%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lisbon
Oberhausen
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.08€0.93
$1.35€1.15
-20.00%
White Bread(500g)
$1.74€1.49
$2.22€1.90
-21.62%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.74€1.48
$3.59€3.06
-51.53%
Eggs
$3.18€2.71
$3.65€3.12
-12.88%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.43€11.47
$14.70€12.55
-8.64%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.99€6.83
$14.10€12.04
-43.33%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$16.09€13.74
$21.47€18.34
-25.06%
Apples(1kg)
$2.28€1.95
$3.17€2.71
-28.08%
Banana(1kg)
$1.72€1.47
$1.93€1.65
-10.88%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.94€1.66
$2.31€1.97
-16.02%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.54€2.17
$4.77€4.08
-46.75%
Potato(1kg)
$1.83€1.56
$1.60€1.37
14.37%
Onion(1kg)
$2.04€1.74
$1.63€1.39
25.15%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.98€1.69
$1.92€1.64
3.13%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.85€0.73
$1.14€0.98
-25.44%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.85€5.85
$9.28€7.93
-26.19%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.78€4.93
$5.99€5.12
-3.51%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.37€1.17
$1.11€0.95
23.42%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.90€2.48
$1.66€1.42
74.70%
🚌 Getting Around
Lisbon
Oberhausen
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.28€1.95
$3.43€2.93
-33.53%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$46.84€40.00
$51.7€44.18
-9.45%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.08€3.48
$5.19€4.44
-21.39%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.82€0.70
$2.40€2.05
-65.83%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$18.27€15.60
$35.38€30.21
-48.36%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.01€1.71
$2.00€1.71
0.50%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.3K€30.1K
$32.0K€27.3K
10.12%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$38.5K€32.9K
$35.0K€29.9K
9.96%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lisbon
Oberhausen
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$145€124
$394€336
-63.09%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$20.96€17.90
$25.00€21.35
-16.16%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$40.05€34.21
$50.1€42.82
-20.12%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lisbon
Oberhausen
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$48.79€41.66
$39.79€33.98
22.62%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.69€15.97
$22.99€19.64
-18.70%
Cinema Ticket
$9.06€7.74
$17.33€14.80
-47.72%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lisbon
Oberhausen
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$607€518
$464€396
30.73%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$16.3K€13.9K
$9,905€8,459
64.86%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lisbon
Oberhausen
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$105€89.4
$96.7€82.6
8.24%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$40.95€34.97
$45.60€38.95
-10.20%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$93.6€79.9
$105€89.4
-10.65%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$119€101
$145€124
-18.41%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lisbon
Oberhausen
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,604€1,370
$610€521
163.05%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,236€1,055
$646€552
91.24%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,046€2,601
$776€663
292.60%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,057€1,756
$781€667
163.30%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,709€6,583
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,266€3,644
$2,386€2,037
78.83%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Lisbon
Oberhausen
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,584€1,353
$3,562€3,042
-55.53%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.81
3.97
-4.03%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Lisbon: April 26, 2026
Last update for Oberhausen: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,604 in Lisbon and $610 in Oberhausen. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Oberhausen pays 125% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $65.0 in Lisbon vs $69.0 in Oberhausen for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $271 vs $355 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 Oberhausen: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Lisbon and Oberhausen?
Lisbon and Oberhausen differ by about 6% in total monthly costs ($2,227 vs $2,098 including rent). Oberhausen is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, Oberhausen earns 125% 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 Oberhausen?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,604 in Lisbon versus $610 in Oberhausen. 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 Oberhausen?
Childcare runs $607 in Lisbon versus $464 in Oberhausen. 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 31% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $2,098 in Oberhausen versus $2,227 in Lisbon, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Oberhausen but tight or insufficient in Lisbon. The gap between the two cities makes Oberhausen the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Lisbon and Oberhausen?
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 Oberhausen safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Lisbon and Oberhausen 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 Oberhausen?
Expats usually find Oberhausen gentler on the wallet – expenses run 6% less than in Lisbon. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.