🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,280 in Lisbon versus $2,831 in Phoenix, AZ.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,294 in Lisbon versus $4,127 in Phoenix, AZ.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,307 in Lisbon versus $5,424 in Phoenix, AZ.
🌍Living in Lisbon costs roughly 19% less than in Phoenix, AZ, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Lisbon71% above, Phoenix, AZ113% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Lisbon
Phoenix, AZ
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$15.75€13.67
$20.06$20.06
-21.49%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$63.5€55.1
$80.2$80.2
-20.85%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.45€9.07
$11.88$11.88
-12.04%
Cappuccino
$2.91€2.53
$5.77$5.77
-49.57%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.29€1.99
$2.63$2.63
-12.93%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.50€1.30
$2.11$2.11
-28.91%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.56€3.09
$6.12$6.12
-41.83%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.96€3.44
$7.08$7.08
-44.07%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lisbon
Phoenix, AZ
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.08€0.94
$0.85$0.85
27.06%
White Bread(500g)
$1.76€1.53
$4.13$4.13
-57.38%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.70€1.47
$4.97$4.97
-65.79%
Eggs
$3.25€2.82
$4.67$4.67
-30.41%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.25€11.49
$11.72$11.72
13.05%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.70€6.68
$11.99$11.99
-35.78%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.77€13.68
$13.53$13.53
16.56%
Apples(1kg)
$2.28€1.98
$4.50$4.50
-49.33%
Banana(1kg)
$1.66€1.44
$1.47$1.47
12.93%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.02€1.75
$4.04$4.04
-50.00%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.47€2.15
$4.99$4.99
-50.50%
Potato(1kg)
$1.79€1.55
$3.40$3.40
-47.35%
Onion(1kg)
$2.07€1.79
$2.57$2.57
-19.46%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.97€1.71
$1.95$1.95
1.03%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.83€0.72
$2.33$2.33
-64.38%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.55€5.69
$11.60$11.60
-43.53%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.57€4.83
$14.02$14.02
-60.27%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.33€1.15
$2.14$2.14
-37.85%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.01€2.61
$3.98$3.98
-24.37%
🚌 Getting Around
Lisbon
Phoenix, AZ
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.27€1.97
$2.43$2.43
-6.58%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$46.35€40.21
$62.4$62.4
-25.69%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.23€3.67
$3.95$3.95
7.09%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.85€0.74
$1.35$1.35
-37.04%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$18.83€16.34
$35.39$35.39
-46.79%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.02€1.75
$1.00$1.00
102.00%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.0K€30.3K
$30.8K$30.8K
13.42%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$39.6K€34.4K
$26.6K$26.6K
49.01%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lisbon
Phoenix, AZ
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$148€128
$257$257
-42.49%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$20.52€17.80
$74.9$74.9
-72.61%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$39.52€34.29
$83.0$83.0
-52.39%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lisbon
Phoenix, AZ
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$48.17€41.79
$34.38$34.38
40.11%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.39€15.95
$14.39$14.39
27.80%
Cinema Ticket
$9.10€7.89
$11.90$11.90
-23.53%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lisbon
Phoenix, AZ
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$615€533
$1,142$1,142
-46.18%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$16.3K€14.1K
$16.6K$16.6K
-1.92%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lisbon
Phoenix, AZ
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$102€88.1
$56.0$56.0
81.25%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.09€36.52
$41.55$41.55
1.30%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$92.3€80.1
$93.5$93.5
-1.27%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$122€106
$117$117
3.99%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lisbon
Phoenix, AZ
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,612€1,398
$1,653$1,653
-2.50%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,254€1,088
$1,385$1,385
-9.47%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,069€2,663
$2,618$2,618
17.23%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,037€1,767
$2,298$2,298
-11.37%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,751€6,724
$4,629$4,629
67.44%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,286€3,719
$3,111$3,111
37.78%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Lisbon
Phoenix, AZ
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,602€1,390
$4,452$4,452
-64.02%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.81
6.46
-41.02%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Lisbon: July 27, 2026
Last update for Phoenix, AZ: July 28, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,612 in Lisbon and $1,653 in Phoenix, AZ. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Phoenix, AZ pays 178% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $63.0 in Lisbon vs $80.0 in Phoenix, AZ for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $267 vs $394 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 Phoenix, AZ: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Lisbon and in Phoenix, AZ?
Lisbon and Phoenix, AZ differ by about 24% in total monthly costs ($2,280 vs $2,831 including rent). Lisbon 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 178% lower in Phoenix, AZ. 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 Phoenix, AZ?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,612 in Lisbon versus $1,653 in Phoenix, AZ. 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 Phoenix, AZ?
Childcare runs $615 in Lisbon versus $1,142 in Phoenix, AZ. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Supermarket bills run roughly 48% higher in Phoenix, AZ. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city is feasible on a $3,000 budget?
Both cities are expensive relative to $3,000. Lisbon is the more realistic option, but even there you'll need to be disciplined with housing, food, and fun money.
How does quality of life compare between Lisbon and Phoenix, AZ?
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 Phoenix, AZ safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Lisbon and Phoenix, AZ 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 Phoenix, AZ?
Expats usually find Lisbon gentler on the wallet – expenses run 24% less than in Phoenix, AZ. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.