😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,291 in Lisbon versus $688 in San Fernando, La Union.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,322 in Lisbon versus $1,025 in San Fernando, La Union.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,354 in Lisbon versus $1,363 in San Fernando, La Union.
🌍Living in Lisbon is roughly 233% more expensive than in San Fernando, La Union, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Lisbon is 71% above, San Fernando, La Union is 48% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Lisbon
San Fernando, La Union
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$16.19€14.17
$3.64₱224
344.78%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$63.3€55.4
$17.85₱1,099
254.79%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.32€9.03
$3.35₱206
208.06%
Cappuccino
$2.83€2.48
$2.39₱147
18.41%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.29€2.00
$0.78₱48.30
193.59%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.58€1.38
$0.39₱24.21
305.13%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.40€2.98
$1.35₱83.4
151.85%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.03€3.52
$2.12₱130
90.09%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lisbon
San Fernando, La Union
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09€0.95
$2.96₱182
-63.18%
White Bread(500g)
$1.75€1.53
$1.26₱77.6
38.89%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.76€1.54
$0.95₱58.6
85.26%
Eggs
$3.17€2.77
$2.03₱125
56.16%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.19€11.54
$8.11₱499
62.64%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.97€6.97
$4.36₱268
82.80%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.53€13.59
$7.51₱462
106.79%
Apples(1kg)
$2.37€2.07
$2.88₱177
-17.71%
Banana(1kg)
$1.71€1.49
$1.51₱93.2
13.25%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.01€1.76
$2.63₱162
-23.57%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.43€2.13
$1.53₱94.4
58.82%
Potato(1kg)
$1.76€1.54
$2.28₱140
-22.81%
Onion(1kg)
$2.03€1.78
$2.61₱161
-22.22%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.92€1.68
$1.11₱68.1
72.97%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.85€0.74
$0.71₱43.41
19.72%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.58€5.76
$2.86₱176
130.07%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.58€4.88
$8.85₱545
-36.95%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.33€1.17
$1.15₱71.0
15.65%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.97€2.60
$1.97₱121
50.76%
🚌 Getting Around
Lisbon
San Fernando, La Union
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.28€1.99
$0.28₱17.26
714.29%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$45.79€40.06
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.23€3.70
$0.78₱47.82
442.31%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.81€0.71
$0.22₱13.49
268.18%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$18.44€16.13
$2.17₱134
749.77%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.08€1.82
$1.19₱73.5
74.79%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.7K€30.3K
$26.3K₱1.6M
31.99%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$39.2K€34.3K
$20.7K₱1.3M
89.57%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lisbon
San Fernando, La Union
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$148€130
$115₱7,050
29.28%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$20.46€17.90
$32.66₱2,011
-37.35%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$39.56€34.61
$26.98₱1,661
46.63%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lisbon
San Fernando, La Union
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$47.99€41.99
$13.15₱810
264.94%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.60€16.27
$4.52₱278
311.50%
Cinema Ticket
$9.22€8.07
$6.11₱376
50.90%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lisbon
San Fernando, La Union
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$616€539
$154₱9,450
301.34%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$16.4K€14.4K
$5,905₱363.5K
178.43%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lisbon
San Fernando, La Union
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$103€89.9
$44.89₱2,764
128.78%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$41.74€36.52
$26.87₱1,655
55.34%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$94.8€82.9
$35.92₱2,211
163.84%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$122€107
$39.67₱2,442
207.59%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lisbon
San Fernando, La Union
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,633€1,428
$132₱8,117
1138.18%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,232€1,078
$123₱7,602
897.93%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,098€2,711
$252₱15.5K
1127.47%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,031€1,777
$216₱13.3K
840.50%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,831€6,851
$2,200₱135.4K
255.98%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,389€3,840
$946₱58.2K
364.06%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Lisbon
San Fernando, La Union
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,607€1,406
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.81
6.67
-42.88%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Lisbon: July 14, 2026
Last update for San Fernando, La Union: July 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,633 in Lisbon and $132 in San Fernando, La Union. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $63.0 in Lisbon vs $18.00 in San Fernando, La Union for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $267 vs $217 per month, with San Fernando, La Union 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 San Fernando, La Union: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Lisbon and in San Fernando, La Union?
Lisbon and San Fernando, La Union differ by about 233% in total monthly costs ($2,291 vs $688 including rent). San Fernando, La Union 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 San Fernando, La Union?
You'd need roughly $3,437 in Lisbon and $1,032 in San Fernando, La Union 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.
How do apartment prices compare in Lisbon and in San Fernando, La Union?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,633 in Lisbon versus $132 in San Fernando, La Union. 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 23% 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 San Fernando, La Union?
All in, you'll spend $2,291 per month in Lisbon versus $688 in San Fernando, La Union – a 233% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is more doable on $1,500 per month?
At $688 in San Fernando, La Union versus $2,291 in Lisbon, a $1,500 budget is realistic in San Fernando, La Union but tight or insufficient in Lisbon. The gap between the two cities makes San Fernando, La Union the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Lisbon and San Fernando, La Union?
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 San Fernando, La Union safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Lisbon and San Fernando, La Union 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 San Fernando, La Union?
Expats usually find San Fernando, La Union gentler on the wallet – expenses run 233% less than in Lisbon. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.