😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,296 in Lisbon versus $1,030 in Old Harbour.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,376 in Lisbon versus $1,729 in Old Harbour.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,457 in Lisbon versus $2,428 in Old Harbour.
🌍Living in Lisbon is roughly 123% more expensive than in Old Harbour, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Lisbon is 68% above, Old Harbour is 25% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Lisbon
Old Harbour
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.59€15.32
$16.02JMD 2,510
9.80%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$62.9€54.8
$76.7JMD 12.0K
-18.00%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.58€10.09
$8.77JMD 1,374
32.04%
Cappuccino
$3.10€2.70
$5.49JMD 861
-43.53%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.49€2.17
$1.17JMD 183
112.82%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.74€1.52
$0.69JMD 109
152.17%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.48€3.03
$2.18JMD 342
59.63%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.44€3.00
$3.25JMD 510
5.85%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lisbon
Old Harbour
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.15€1.00
$4.15JMD 651
-72.29%
White Bread(500g)
$1.91€1.66
$3.77JMD 590
-49.34%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.50€1.31
$1.59JMD 249
-5.66%
Eggs
$3.98€3.47
$3.63JMD 569
9.64%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.29€11.58
$11.69JMD 1,832
13.69%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.01€6.98
$6.16JMD 965
30.03%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$18.04€15.72
$10.19JMD 1,596
77.04%
Apples(1kg)
$2.35€2.05
$6.26JMD 980
-62.46%
Banana(1kg)
$1.75€1.52
$4.03JMD 631
-56.58%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.85€1.62
$7.36JMD 1,154
-74.86%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.55€2.22
$2.99JMD 468
-14.72%
Potato(1kg)
$1.84€1.61
$3.32JMD 521
-44.58%
Onion(1kg)
$2.10€1.83
$2.74JMD 430
-23.36%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.49€1.29
$3.02JMD 474
-50.66%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.82€0.71
$1.51JMD 237
-45.70%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$7.10€6.18
$9.54JMD 1,495
-25.58%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.91€5.15
$11.52JMD 1,806
-48.70%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.31€1.15
$2.89JMD 453
-54.67%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.13€1.86
$4.11JMD 644
-48.18%
🚌 Getting Around
Lisbon
Old Harbour
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.36€2.05
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$46.62€40.61
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.08€3.55
$1.18JMD 185
245.76%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.14€0.99
$3.24JMD 507
-64.81%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$17.09€14.89
$6.25JMD 980
173.44%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.31€2.01
$1.37JMD 214
68.61%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.1K€29.7K
$44.0KJMD 6.9M
-22.46%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$41.4K€36.0K
$33.3KJMD 5.2M
24.17%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lisbon
Old Harbour
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$169€147
$176JMD 27.6K
-4.44%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$19.33€16.84
$30.18JMD 4,730
-35.95%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$33.51€29.20
$53.7JMD 8,421
-37.63%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lisbon
Old Harbour
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$48.84€42.55
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.43€16.93
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$9.57€8.34
$13.56JMD 2,125
-29.42%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lisbon
Old Harbour
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$696€606
$362JMD 56.8K
92.18%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$17.4K€15.1K
$8,258JMD 1.3M
110.14%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lisbon
Old Harbour
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$105€91.7
$23.54JMD 3,690
347.28%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$47.75€41.60
$31.17JMD 4,885
53.19%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$101€87.6
$77.3JMD 12.1K
30.02%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$124€108
$102JMD 16.0K
21.78%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lisbon
Old Harbour
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,662€1,448
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,246€1,086
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,965€2,583
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,049€1,785
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,834€6,825
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,464€3,889
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Lisbon
Old Harbour
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,632€1,421
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.78
9.45
-60.00%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Lisbon: September 12, 2026
Last update for Old Harbour: September 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🛒Dining out: $63.0 in Lisbon vs $77.0 in Old Harbour for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $277 vs $388 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 Old Harbour: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Lisbon and in Old Harbour?
Lisbon and Old Harbour differ by about 123% in total monthly costs ($2,296 vs $1,030 including rent). Old Harbour 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 Old Harbour?
You'd need roughly $3,444 in Lisbon and $1,545 in Old Harbour 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.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Shoppers in Lisbon pay roughly 40% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.
Which city is more expensive overall: Lisbon or Old Harbour?
All in, you'll spend $2,296 per month in Lisbon versus $1,030 in Old Harbour – a 123% 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 $1,030 in Old Harbour versus $2,296 in Lisbon, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Old Harbour but tight or insufficient in Lisbon. The gap between the two cities makes Old Harbour the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Lisbon and Old Harbour?
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 Old Harbour safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Lisbon and Old Harbour 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 Old Harbour?
Expats usually find Old Harbour gentler on the wallet – expenses run 123% less than in Lisbon. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.