🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,291 in Lisbon versus $3,099 in Scottsdale, AZ.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,322 in Lisbon versus $4,412 in Scottsdale, AZ.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,354 in Lisbon versus $5,725 in Scottsdale, AZ.
🌍Living in Lisbon costs roughly 26% less than in Scottsdale, AZ, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Lisbon71% above, Scottsdale, AZ132% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Lisbon
Scottsdale, AZ
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$16.19€14.17
$18.40$18.40
-12.01%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$63.3€55.4
$76.7$76.7
-17.46%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.32€9.03
$11.83$11.83
-12.76%
Cappuccino
$2.83€2.48
$5.36$5.36
-47.20%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.29€2.00
$2.83$2.83
-19.08%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.58€1.38
$2.15$2.15
-26.51%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.40€2.98
$5.87$5.87
-42.08%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.03€3.52
$6.83$6.83
-41.00%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lisbon
Scottsdale, AZ
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09€0.95
$0.90$0.90
21.11%
White Bread(500g)
$1.75€1.53
$3.53$3.53
-50.42%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.76€1.54
$5.07$5.07
-65.29%
Eggs
$3.17€2.77
$4.26$4.26
-25.59%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.19€11.54
$11.44$11.44
15.30%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.97€6.97
$11.90$11.90
-33.03%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.53€13.59
$14.82$14.82
4.79%
Apples(1kg)
$2.37€2.07
$4.54$4.54
-47.80%
Banana(1kg)
$1.71€1.49
$1.47$1.47
16.33%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.01€1.76
$3.87$3.87
-48.06%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.43€2.13
$4.15$4.15
-41.45%
Potato(1kg)
$1.76€1.54
$2.85$2.85
-38.25%
Onion(1kg)
$2.03€1.78
$2.43$2.43
-16.46%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.92€1.68
$1.98$1.98
-3.03%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.85€0.74
$2.53$2.53
-66.40%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.58€5.76
$8.99$8.99
-26.81%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.58€4.88
$13.53$13.53
-58.76%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.33€1.17
$2.17$2.17
-38.71%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.97€2.60
$3.51$3.51
-15.38%
🚌 Getting Around
Lisbon
Scottsdale, AZ
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.28€1.99
$2.32$2.32
-1.72%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$45.79€40.06
$43.71$43.71
4.76%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.23€3.70
$2.73$2.73
54.95%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.81€0.71
$1.33$1.33
-39.10%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$18.44€16.13
$36.16$36.16
-49.00%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.08€1.82
$0.98$0.98
112.24%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.7K€30.3K
$30.7K$30.7K
13.05%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$39.2K€34.3K
$26.0K$26.0K
50.39%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lisbon
Scottsdale, AZ
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$148€130
$253$253
-41.41%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$20.46€17.90
$70.7$70.7
-71.08%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$39.56€34.61
$79.5$79.5
-50.23%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lisbon
Scottsdale, AZ
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$47.99€41.99
$33.71$33.71
42.36%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.60€16.27
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$9.22€8.07
$12.88$12.88
-28.42%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lisbon
Scottsdale, AZ
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$616€539
$1,132$1,132
-45.59%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$16.4K€14.4K
$15.8K$15.8K
4.10%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lisbon
Scottsdale, AZ
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$103€89.9
$51.2$51.2
100.74%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$41.74€36.52
$41.69$41.69
0.12%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$94.8€82.9
$83.7$83.7
13.28%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$122€107
$117$117
3.98%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lisbon
Scottsdale, AZ
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,633€1,428
$1,821$1,821
-10.35%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,232€1,078
$1,685$1,685
-26.87%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,098€2,711
$3,366$3,366
-7.96%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,031€1,777
$2,795$2,795
-27.31%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,831€6,851
$3,776$3,776
107.41%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,389€3,840
$4,637$4,637
-5.35%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Lisbon
Scottsdale, AZ
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,607€1,406
$5,653$5,653
-71.57%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.81
6.51
-41.47%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Lisbon: July 14, 2026
Last update for Scottsdale, AZ: July 12, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,633 in Lisbon and $1,821 in Scottsdale, AZ. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Scottsdale, AZ pays 252% 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: $63.0 in Lisbon vs $77.0 in Scottsdale, AZ for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $267 vs $384 per month, with Lisbon 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 Scottsdale, AZ: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Lisbon and in Scottsdale, AZ?
Lisbon and Scottsdale, AZ differ by about 35% in total monthly costs ($2,291 vs $3,099 including rent). Lisbon 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 252% lower in Scottsdale, AZ. 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 Scottsdale, AZ?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,633 in Lisbon versus $1,821 in Scottsdale, AZ. 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 Scottsdale, AZ?
Childcare runs $616 in Lisbon versus $1,132 in Scottsdale, AZ. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Supermarket bills run roughly 44% higher in Scottsdale, AZ. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city is feasible on a $3,000 budget?
Both cities are expensive relative to $3,000. Lisbon is the more realistic option, but even there you'll need to be disciplined with housing, food, and fun money.
How does quality of life compare between Lisbon and Scottsdale, AZ?
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 Scottsdale, AZ safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Lisbon and Scottsdale, AZ 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 Scottsdale, AZ?
Expats usually find Lisbon gentler on the wallet – expenses run 35% less than in Scottsdale, AZ. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.