๐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,243 in Lisbon versus $1,809 in Sarcelles.
๐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,315 in Lisbon versus $2,789 in Sarcelles.
๐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,387 in Lisbon versus $3,769 in Sarcelles.
๐Living in Lisbon is roughly 24% more expensive than Sarcelles, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
๐Both cities are pricier than the global median: Lisbon67% above, Sarcelles35% above.
Currency
๐ฝ Eating Out
Lisbon
Sarcelles
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$15.73โฌ13.42
$17.29โฌ14.75
-9.02%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$63.2โฌ53.9
$58.1โฌ49.54
8.75%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.32โฌ8.80
$11.68โฌ9.97
-11.64%
Cappuccino
$2.81โฌ2.40
$3.43โฌ2.93
-18.08%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.33โฌ1.99
$2.76โฌ2.35
-15.58%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.51โฌ1.29
$1.80โฌ1.53
-16.11%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.37โฌ2.87
$7.06โฌ6.03
-52.27%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.91โฌ3.34
$5.84โฌ4.98
-33.05%
๐ Groceries & Markets
Lisbon
Sarcelles
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.08โฌ0.92
$1.29โฌ1.10
-16.28%
White Bread(500g)
$1.75โฌ1.49
$1.80โฌ1.53
-2.78%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.75โฌ1.50
$2.66โฌ2.27
-34.21%
Eggs
$3.10โฌ2.64
$3.97โฌ3.39
-21.91%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.28โฌ11.33
$19.27โฌ16.43
-31.08%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.85โฌ6.70
$13.53โฌ11.54
-41.98%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$16.05โฌ13.69
$20.96โฌ17.87
-23.43%
Apples(1kg)
$2.39โฌ2.04
$3.14โฌ2.68
-23.89%
Banana(1kg)
$1.72โฌ1.47
$2.27โฌ1.94
-24.23%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.97โฌ1.68
$2.72โฌ2.32
-27.57%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.55โฌ2.17
$3.52โฌ3.01
-27.56%
Potato(1kg)
$1.79โฌ1.53
$2.22โฌ1.89
-19.37%
Onion(1kg)
$1.97โฌ1.68
$2.51โฌ2.14
-21.51%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.96โฌ1.67
$1.55โฌ1.32
26.45%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84โฌ0.71
$0.71โฌ0.61
18.31%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.82โฌ5.82
$13.72โฌ11.71
-50.29%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.85โฌ4.99
$8.47โฌ7.23
-30.93%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.38โฌ1.18
$2.59โฌ2.21
-46.72%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.92โฌ2.49
$3.35โฌ2.86
-12.84%
๐ Getting Around
Lisbon
Sarcelles
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.29โฌ1.95
$1.96โฌ1.67
16.84%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$46.88โฌ39.99
$48.31โฌ41.21
-2.96%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.12โฌ3.51
$4.69โฌ4.00
-12.15%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.81โฌ0.69
$1.79โฌ1.53
-54.75%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$18.94โฌ16.16
$36.48โฌ31.12
-48.08%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.09โฌ1.78
$2.03โฌ1.73
2.96%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.1Kโฌ30.0K
$37.7Kโฌ32.2K
-6.85%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$39.7Kโฌ33.9K
$37.6Kโฌ32.1K
5.52%
๐งพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lisbon
Sarcelles
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$150โฌ128
$196โฌ167
-23.71%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$20.49โฌ17.48
$23.75โฌ20.26
-13.73%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$39.15โฌ33.40
$33.06โฌ28.20
18.42%
๐ Sport & Entertainment
Lisbon
Sarcelles
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$49.65โฌ42.35
$36.98โฌ31.54
34.26%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.47โฌ15.76
$18.02โฌ15.37
2.50%
Cinema Ticket
$9.20โฌ7.84
$14.00โฌ11.95
-34.29%
๐งธ Childcare & Education
Lisbon
Sarcelles
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$624โฌ533
$773โฌ660
-19.24%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$15.9Kโฌ13.6K
$8,502โฌ7,252
87.08%
๐๐ Clothing & Footwear
Lisbon
Sarcelles
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$102โฌ87.2
$102โฌ86.6
0.60%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$40.88โฌ34.87
$38.38โฌ32.74
6.51%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$95.7โฌ81.6
$90.7โฌ77.4
5.49%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$121โฌ103
$141โฌ121
-14.30%
๐ Accommodation & Living
Lisbon
Sarcelles
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,653โฌ1,410
$779โฌ664
112.28%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,233โฌ1,051
$625โฌ533
97.13%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,043โฌ2,596
$1,380โฌ1,177
120.49%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,059โฌ1,756
$1,071โฌ913
92.33%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,879โฌ6,720
$4,326โฌ3,690
82.14%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,303โฌ3,671
$3,098โฌ2,642
38.92%
๐ต Salaries & Financials
Lisbon
Sarcelles
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,566โฌ1,336
$2,330โฌ1,987
-32.77%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.81
3.63
4.96%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input โ minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Lisbon: April 21, 2026
Last update for Sarcelles: April 22, 2026
Cost Breakdown
๐ A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,653 in Lisbon and $779 in Sarcelles. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
๐ฐSarcelles pays 49% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
๐Dining out: $63 in Lisbon vs $58 in Sarcelles. Groceries flip the comparison at $270 vs $367, with Lisbon 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 Sarcelles: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Lisbon and Sarcelles?
Lisbon and Sarcelles differ by about 24% in total monthly costs ($2,243 vs $1,809 including rent). Sarcelles is meaningfully more affordable โ a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, Sarcelles earns 49% less. 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 Sarcelles?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,653 in Lisbon versus $779 in Sarcelles. 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 Sarcelles?
Childcare runs $624 in Lisbon versus $773 in Sarcelles. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Shoppers in Lisbon pay roughly 36% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $1,809 in Sarcelles versus $2,243 in Lisbon, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Sarcelles but tight or insufficient in Lisbon. The gap between the two cities makes Sarcelles the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Lisbon and Sarcelles?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better โ the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Lisbon or Sarcelles safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Lisbon and Sarcelles 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 Sarcelles?
Expats usually find Sarcelles gentler on the wallet โ expenses run 24% less than in Lisbon. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.