ðMonthly costs for one person with rent: $2,227 in Lisbon versus $790 in Saraburi.
ðEstimated couple costs with rent: $3,305 in Lisbon versus $1,445 in Saraburi.
ðMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,384 in Lisbon versus $2,099 in Saraburi.
ðLiving in Lisbon is roughly 182% more expensive than Saraburi, driven mainly by Eating Out.
ðThe two cities straddle the global median: Lisbon is 66% above, Saraburi is 41% below.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Lisbon
Saraburi
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$16.17âŽ13.84
$3.12āļŋ102
418.27%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$64.6âŽ55.3
$27.19āļŋ889
137.48%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.38âŽ8.88
$6.75āļŋ221
53.78%
Cappuccino
$2.77âŽ2.37
$2.32āļŋ75.9
19.40%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.25âŽ1.92
$0.68āļŋ22.36
230.88%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.57âŽ1.35
$0.25āļŋ8.10
528.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.49âŽ2.99
$2.03āļŋ66.4
71.92%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.00âŽ3.43
$3.19āļŋ104
25.39%
ð Groceries & Markets
Lisbon
Saraburi
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.08âŽ0.93
$1.52āļŋ49.64
-28.95%
White Bread(500g)
$1.74âŽ1.49
$1.17āļŋ38.27
48.72%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.74âŽ1.49
$1.31āļŋ42.78
32.82%
Eggs
$3.18âŽ2.72
$2.19āļŋ71.8
45.21%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.43âŽ11.50
$18.43āļŋ603
-27.13%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.99âŽ6.84
$3.00āļŋ98.1
166.33%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$16.09âŽ13.77
$10.96āļŋ358
46.81%
Apples(1kg)
$2.28âŽ1.95
$5.19āļŋ170
-56.07%
Banana(1kg)
$1.72âŽ1.48
$1.78āļŋ58.1
-3.37%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.94âŽ1.66
$1.88āļŋ61.4
3.19%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.54âŽ2.18
$1.53āļŋ49.98
66.01%
Potato(1kg)
$1.83âŽ1.57
$1.46āļŋ47.83
25.34%
Onion(1kg)
$2.04âŽ1.75
$1.21āļŋ39.51
68.60%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.98âŽ1.69
$1.02āļŋ33.41
94.12%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.85âŽ0.73
$0.51āļŋ16.75
66.67%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.85âŽ5.87
$4.46āļŋ146
53.59%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.78âŽ4.94
$21.51āļŋ703
-73.13%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.37âŽ1.18
$1.73āļŋ56.7
-20.81%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.90âŽ2.48
$2.69āļŋ88.0
7.81%
ð Getting Around
Lisbon
Saraburi
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.28âŽ1.95
$0.90āļŋ29.45
153.33%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$46.84âŽ40.10
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.08âŽ3.49
$1.09āļŋ35.70
274.31%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.82âŽ0.70
$1.14āļŋ37.27
-28.07%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$18.27âŽ15.64
$6.12āļŋ200
198.53%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.01âŽ1.72
$1.24āļŋ40.62
62.10%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.3KâŽ30.2K
$27.3Kāļŋ891.7K
29.32%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$38.5KâŽ32.9K
$27.0Kāļŋ883.2K
42.50%
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lisbon
Saraburi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$145âŽ124
$75.1āļŋ2,457
93.51%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$20.96âŽ17.94
$13.45āļŋ440
55.84%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$40.05âŽ34.29
$16.97āļŋ555
136.00%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Lisbon
Saraburi
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$48.79âŽ41.76
$48.94āļŋ1,600
-0.31%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.69âŽ16.00
$12.23āļŋ400
52.82%
Cinema Ticket
$9.06âŽ7.76
$6.93āļŋ227
30.74%
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Lisbon
Saraburi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$607âŽ519
$295āļŋ9,651
105.51%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$16.3KâŽ14.0K
$6,957āļŋ227.5K
134.72%
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Lisbon
Saraburi
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$105âŽ89.6
$34.06āļŋ1,114
207.28%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$40.95âŽ35.06
$34.58āļŋ1,131
18.42%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$93.6âŽ80.1
$100āļŋ3,275
-6.56%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$119âŽ101
$70.3āļŋ2,300
68.59%
ð Accommodation & Living
Lisbon
Saraburi
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,604âŽ1,373
$423āļŋ13.8K
279.47%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,236âŽ1,058
$132āļŋ4,328
833.55%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,046âŽ2,607
$823āļŋ26.9K
270.17%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,057âŽ1,761
$656āļŋ21.4K
213.69%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,709âŽ6,599
$2,461āļŋ80.5K
213.29%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,266âŽ3,652
$1,692āļŋ55.3K
152.21%
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Lisbon
Saraburi
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,584âŽ1,356
$472āļŋ15.4K
235.41%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.81
5.45
-30.09%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input â minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Lisbon: April 26, 2026
Last update for Saraburi: April 28, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,604 in Lisbon and $423 in Saraburi. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
ð°Lisbon pays 235% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
ðDining out: $65.0 in Lisbon vs $27.00 in Saraburi for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $271 vs $270 per month, with Saraburi 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 Saraburi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Lisbon and Saraburi?
Lisbon and Saraburi differ by about 182% in total monthly costs ($2,227 vs $790 including rent). Saraburi is meaningfully more affordable â a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Lisbon or Saraburi?
Lisbon pays 235% more on average, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How do apartment prices compare in Lisbon and Saraburi?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,604 in Lisbon versus $423 in Saraburi. 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 0% 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 Saraburi?
All in, you'll spend $2,227 per month in Lisbon versus $790 in Saraburi â a 182% 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 $790 in Saraburi versus $2,227 in Lisbon, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Saraburi but tight or insufficient in Lisbon. The gap between the two cities makes Saraburi the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Lisbon and Saraburi?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better â the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Lisbon or Saraburi safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Lisbon and Saraburi 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 Saraburi?
Expats usually find Saraburi gentler on the wallet â expenses run 182% less than in Lisbon. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.