😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,291 in Lisbon versus $1,618 in Saint-Leu.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,322 in Lisbon versus $2,526 in Saint-Leu.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,354 in Lisbon versus $3,435 in Saint-Leu.
🌍Living in Lisbon is roughly 42% more expensive than in Saint-Leu, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Lisbon71% above, Saint-Leu21% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Lisbon
Saint-Leu
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$16.19€14.18
$29.14€25.52
-44.44%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$63.3€55.5
$91.0€79.7
-30.40%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.32€9.04
-
-
Cappuccino
$2.83€2.48
$2.97€2.61
-4.71%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.29€2.01
-
-
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.58€1.38
$1.18€1.04
33.90%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.40€2.98
$7.90€6.92
-56.96%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.03€3.53
$5.88€5.15
-31.46%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lisbon
Saint-Leu
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09€0.96
$1.15€1.01
-5.22%
White Bread(500g)
$1.75€1.53
$1.25€1.10
40.00%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.76€1.54
$2.32€2.03
-24.14%
Eggs
$3.17€2.77
$4.72€4.13
-32.84%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.19€11.56
$23.22€20.33
-43.20%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.97€6.98
-
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.53€13.60
-
-
Apples(1kg)
$2.37€2.07
$3.44€3.01
-31.10%
Banana(1kg)
$1.71€1.49
$1.76€1.54
-2.84%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.01€1.76
$2.37€2.08
-15.19%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.43€2.13
$3.54€3.10
-31.36%
Potato(1kg)
$1.76€1.54
$2.26€1.98
-22.12%
Onion(1kg)
$2.03€1.78
$2.26€1.98
-10.18%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.92€1.68
-
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.85€0.74
$0.90€0.79
-5.56%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.58€5.76
$14.98€13.12
-56.07%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.58€4.89
$5.83€5.10
-4.29%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.33€1.17
$1.70€1.49
-21.76%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.97€2.60
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Lisbon
Saint-Leu
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.28€1.99
$2.27€1.99
0.44%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$45.79€40.10
$45.53€39.87
0.57%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.23€3.70
-
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.81€0.71
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$18.44€16.15
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.08€1.82
$1.58€1.39
31.65%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.7K€30.4K
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$39.2K€34.3K
-
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lisbon
Saint-Leu
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$148€130
$98.8€86.5
49.92%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$20.46€17.92
$10.44€9.14
95.98%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$39.56€34.64
$34.34€30.07
15.20%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lisbon
Saint-Leu
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$47.99€42.03
$35.15€30.79
36.53%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.60€16.29
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$9.22€8.08
$10.46€9.16
-11.85%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lisbon
Saint-Leu
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$616€540
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$16.4K€14.4K
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lisbon
Saint-Leu
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$103€90.0
-
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$41.74€36.55
-
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$94.8€83.0
-
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$122€107
-
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lisbon
Saint-Leu
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,633€1,430
$1,168€1,023
39.77%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,232€1,079
$795€697
54.95%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,098€2,713
$2,076€1,818
49.24%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,031€1,779
$1,394€1,220
45.77%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,831€6,858
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,389€3,844
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Lisbon
Saint-Leu
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,607€1,408
$2,068€1,811
-22.27%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.81
4
-4.75%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Lisbon: July 14, 2026
Last update for Saint-Leu: July 11, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,633 in Lisbon and $1,168 in Saint-Leu. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Saint-Leu pays 29% 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 $91.0 in Saint-Leu. Groceries flip the comparison at $267 vs $219, with Saint-Leu 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 Saint-Leu: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Lisbon and in Saint-Leu?
Lisbon and Saint-Leu differ by about 42% in total monthly costs ($2,291 vs $1,618 including rent). Saint-Leu 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 29% lower in Saint-Leu. 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 Saint-Leu?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,633 in Lisbon versus $1,168 in Saint-Leu. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Supermarket bills run roughly 22% higher in Lisbon. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city is more expensive overall: Lisbon or Saint-Leu?
All in, you'll spend $2,291 per month in Lisbon versus $1,618 in Saint-Leu – a 42% 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 $1,618 in Saint-Leu versus $2,291 in Lisbon, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Saint-Leu but tight or insufficient in Lisbon. The gap between the two cities makes Saint-Leu the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Lisbon and Saint-Leu?
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 Saint-Leu safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Lisbon and Saint-Leu 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 Saint-Leu?
Expats usually find Saint-Leu gentler on the wallet – expenses run 42% less than in Lisbon. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.