😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,268 in Lisbon versus $347 in Sancti Spíritus.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,348 in Lisbon versus $587 in Sancti Spíritus.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,429 in Lisbon versus $826 in Sancti Spíritus.
🌍Living in Lisbon is roughly 554% more expensive than in Sancti Spíritus, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Lisbon is 64% above, Sancti Spíritus is 75% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Lisbon
Sancti Spíritus
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.55€15.12
$6.82CUP 164
157.33%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$64.5€55.6
$24.73CUP 594
160.78%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.65€10.04
$4.95CUP 119
135.35%
Cappuccino
$3.26€2.81
-
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.49€2.15
$0.98CUP 23.47
154.08%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.67€1.44
$0.73CUP 17.41
128.77%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.47€2.99
$2.95CUP 70.9
17.63%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.58€3.08
$2.01CUP 48.28
78.11%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lisbon
Sancti Spíritus
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.18€1.02
-
-
White Bread(500g)
$1.95€1.68
-
-
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.56€1.35
$0.98CUP 23.59
59.18%
Eggs
$4.01€3.46
$2.33CUP 55.9
72.10%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.27€11.44
$3.96CUP 95.1
235.10%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.42€7.26
$5.05CUP 121
66.73%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$18.23€15.72
$10.11CUP 243
80.32%
Apples(1kg)
$2.32€2.00
$3.01CUP 72.2
-22.92%
Banana(1kg)
$1.73€1.49
$0.52CUP 12.47
232.69%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.93€1.67
$0.49CUP 11.66
293.88%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.64€2.27
$0.98CUP 23.45
169.39%
Potato(1kg)
$1.90€1.64
$1.95CUP 46.68
-2.56%
Onion(1kg)
$2.11€1.82
$2.03CUP 48.75
3.94%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.44€1.24
-
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.80€0.69
$1.01CUP 24.34
-20.79%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$7.01€6.04
$2.05CUP 49.29
241.95%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.92€5.11
$12.93CUP 310
-54.22%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.36€1.18
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.15€1.85
$2.02CUP 48.54
6.44%
🚌 Getting Around
Lisbon
Sancti Spíritus
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.38€2.05
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$46.22€39.85
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.19€3.61
$0.98CUP 23.52
327.55%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.10€0.95
$1.03CUP 24.62
6.80%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$17.26€14.88
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.25€1.94
$1.97CUP 47.22
14.21%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.5K€29.7K
$50.7KCUP 1.2M
-32.01%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$41.6K€35.9K
$68.9KCUP 1.7M
-39.61%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lisbon
Sancti Spíritus
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$171€147
$29.60CUP 710
477.30%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$19.01€16.38
-
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$34.28€29.55
-
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lisbon
Sancti Spíritus
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$49.65€42.80
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.51€16.81
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$10.10€8.71
-
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lisbon
Sancti Spíritus
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$699€603
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$17.8K€15.3K
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lisbon
Sancti Spíritus
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$105€90.2
$24.86CUP 597
320.76%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$47.97€41.35
$14.76CUP 354
225.00%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$102€87.8
$40.05CUP 961
154.36%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$128€111
$29.52CUP 708
334.62%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lisbon
Sancti Spíritus
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,661€1,432
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,228€1,059
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,915€2,513
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,023€1,744
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$8,129€7,007
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,635€3,996
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Lisbon
Sancti Spíritus
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,619€1,396
$19.96CUP 479
8012.12%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.78
0
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Lisbon: September 5, 2026
Last update for Sancti Spíritus: September 5, 2026
Cost Breakdown
💰Lisbon pays 8012% 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: $64.0 in Lisbon vs $25.00 in Sancti Spíritus for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $281 vs $158 per month, with Sancti Spíritus 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 Sancti Spíritus: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Lisbon and in Sancti Spíritus?
Lisbon and Sancti Spíritus differ by about 554% in total monthly costs ($2,268 vs $347 including rent). Sancti Spíritus is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Lisbon or Sancti Spíritus?
Average pay runs 8012% higher in Lisbon, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Sancti Spíritus – a meal for two runs $25.00 versus $64.0 in Lisbon. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more expensive overall: Lisbon or Sancti Spíritus?
All in, you'll spend $2,268 per month in Lisbon versus $347 in Sancti Spíritus – a 554% 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 $347 in Sancti Spíritus versus $2,268 in Lisbon, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Sancti Spíritus but tight or insufficient in Lisbon. The gap between the two cities makes Sancti Spíritus the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Lisbon and Sancti Spíritus?
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 Sancti Spíritus safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Lisbon and Sancti Spíritus 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 Sancti Spíritus?
Expats usually find Sancti Spíritus gentler on the wallet – expenses run 554% less than in Lisbon. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.