😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,280 in Lisbon versus $1,985 in Oranjestad.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,294 in Lisbon versus $3,132 in Oranjestad.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,307 in Lisbon versus $4,279 in Oranjestad.
🌍Living in Lisbon is roughly 15% more expensive than in Oranjestad, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Lisbon71% above, Oranjestad49% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Lisbon
Oranjestad
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$15.75€13.64
$18.90AWG 33.83
-16.67%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$63.5€55.0
$80.3AWG 144
-20.96%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.45€9.05
$10.45AWG 18.70
-
Cappuccino
$2.91€2.52
$3.74AWG 6.70
-22.19%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.29€1.98
$1.41AWG 2.52
62.41%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.50€1.30
$1.61AWG 2.89
-6.83%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.56€3.09
$2.94AWG 5.27
21.09%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.96€3.43
$3.95AWG 7.07
0.25%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lisbon
Oranjestad
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.08€0.94
$1.90AWG 3.40
-43.16%
White Bread(500g)
$1.76€1.53
$3.02AWG 5.40
-41.72%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.70€1.47
$2.89AWG 5.17
-41.18%
Eggs
$3.25€2.81
$5.31AWG 9.50
-38.79%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.25€11.47
$12.56AWG 22.48
5.49%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.70€6.67
$9.06AWG 16.22
-15.01%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.77€13.66
$12.32AWG 22.05
28.00%
Apples(1kg)
$2.28€1.97
$4.61AWG 8.24
-50.54%
Banana(1kg)
$1.66€1.43
$2.30AWG 4.12
-27.83%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.02€1.75
$4.94AWG 8.84
-59.11%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.47€2.14
$3.54AWG 6.34
-30.23%
Potato(1kg)
$1.79€1.55
$2.23AWG 4.00
-19.73%
Onion(1kg)
$2.07€1.79
$1.95AWG 3.48
6.15%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.97€1.71
$2.67AWG 4.78
-26.22%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.83€0.72
$1.58AWG 2.83
-47.47%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.55€5.68
$9.95AWG 17.80
-34.17%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.57€4.82
$10.25AWG 18.34
-45.66%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.33€1.15
$3.91AWG 6.99
-65.98%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.01€2.60
$4.44AWG 7.94
-32.21%
🚌 Getting Around
Lisbon
Oranjestad
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.27€1.97
$2.21AWG 3.95
2.71%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$46.35€40.14
$29.60AWG 53.0
56.59%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.23€3.66
$17.15AWG 30.70
-75.34%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.85€0.73
$3.79AWG 6.78
-77.57%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$18.83€16.31
$24.63AWG 44.07
-23.55%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.02€1.75
$1.53AWG 2.73
32.03%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.0K€30.3K
$26.4KAWG 47.3K
32.36%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$39.6K€34.3K
$35.5KAWG 63.6K
11.55%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lisbon
Oranjestad
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$148€128
$250AWG 447
-40.80%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$20.52€17.77
$48.78AWG 87.3
-57.93%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$39.52€34.23
$105AWG 189
-62.51%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lisbon
Oranjestad
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$48.17€41.72
$105AWG 189
-54.31%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.39€15.92
$26.32AWG 47.09
-30.13%
Cinema Ticket
$9.10€7.88
$11.85AWG 21.21
-23.21%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lisbon
Oranjestad
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$615€532
$246AWG 441
149.64%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$16.3K€14.1K
$8,679AWG 15.5K
87.64%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lisbon
Oranjestad
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$102€88.0
$60.0AWG 107
69.23%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.09€36.45
$50.1AWG 89.6
-15.90%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$92.3€79.9
$108AWG 194
-14.89%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$122€106
$102AWG 183
19.21%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lisbon
Oranjestad
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,612€1,396
$669AWG 1,198
140.82%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,254€1,086
$577AWG 1,033
117.09%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,069€2,658
$1,451AWG 2,596
111.57%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,037€1,764
$1,361AWG 2,436
49.62%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,751€6,712
$2,204AWG 3,944
251.66%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,286€3,712
$1,736AWG 3,107
146.86%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Lisbon
Oranjestad
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,602€1,387
$1,737AWG 3,108
-7.77%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.81
6.25
-39.04%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Lisbon: July 27, 2026
Last update for Oranjestad: July 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,612 in Lisbon and $669 in Oranjestad. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Oranjestad pays 8% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $63.0 in Lisbon vs $80.0 in Oranjestad for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $267 vs $365 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 Oranjestad: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Lisbon and in Oranjestad?
Lisbon and Oranjestad differ by about 15% in total monthly costs ($2,280 vs $1,985 including rent). Oranjestad is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, salaries run 8% lower in Oranjestad. 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 in Oranjestad?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,612 in Lisbon versus $669 in Oranjestad. 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 Oranjestad?
Childcare runs $615 in Lisbon versus $246 in Oranjestad. 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 37% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.
Which city is more doable on $3,000 per month?
At $1,985 in Oranjestad versus $2,280 in Lisbon, a $3,000 budget is realistic in Oranjestad but tight or insufficient in Lisbon. The gap between the two cities makes Oranjestad the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Lisbon and Oranjestad?
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 Oranjestad safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Lisbon and Oranjestad 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 Oranjestad?
Expats usually find Oranjestad gentler on the wallet – expenses run 15% less than in Lisbon. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.