😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,280 in Lisbon versus $896 in Sfantu Gheorghe.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,294 in Lisbon versus $1,391 in Sfantu Gheorghe.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,307 in Lisbon versus $1,886 in Sfantu Gheorghe.
🌍Living in Lisbon is roughly 155% more expensive than in Sfantu Gheorghe, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Lisbon is 71% above, Sfantu Gheorghe is 33% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Lisbon
Sfantu Gheorghe
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$15.75€13.64
$8.48RON 38.55
85.73%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$63.5€55.0
$40.22RON 183
57.83%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.45€9.05
$8.76RON 39.84
19.29%
Cappuccino
$2.91€2.52
$2.02RON 9.19
44.06%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.29€1.98
$1.30RON 5.93
76.15%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.50€1.30
$1.11RON 5.04
35.14%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.56€3.09
$2.20RON 10.02
61.82%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.96€3.43
$2.70RON 12.28
46.67%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lisbon
Sfantu Gheorghe
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.08€0.94
$1.63RON 7.43
-33.74%
White Bread(500g)
$1.76€1.53
$1.17RON 5.34
50.43%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.70€1.47
$1.40RON 6.37
21.43%
Eggs
$3.25€2.81
$2.96RON 13.47
9.80%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.25€11.47
$8.79RON 39.95
50.74%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.70€6.67
$4.19RON 19.04
83.77%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.77€13.66
$12.80RON 58.2
23.20%
Apples(1kg)
$2.28€1.97
$1.01RON 4.60
125.74%
Banana(1kg)
$1.66€1.43
$1.37RON 6.23
21.17%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.02€1.75
$1.23RON 5.61
64.23%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.47€2.14
$2.02RON 9.17
22.28%
Potato(1kg)
$1.79€1.55
$0.66RON 3.00
171.21%
Onion(1kg)
$2.07€1.79
$0.94RON 4.28
120.21%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.97€1.71
$0.80RON 3.63
146.25%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.83€0.72
$0.72RON 3.26
15.28%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.55€5.68
$5.69RON 25.88
15.11%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.57€4.82
$8.35RON 37.98
-33.29%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.33€1.15
$1.07RON 4.87
24.30%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.01€2.60
$1.14RON 5.17
164.04%
🚌 Getting Around
Lisbon
Sfantu Gheorghe
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.27€1.97
$0.68RON 3.09
233.82%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$46.35€40.14
$19.85RON 90.3
133.50%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.23€3.66
$0.88RON 4.01
380.68%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.85€0.73
$0.69RON 3.12
23.19%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$18.83€16.31
$7.47RON 33.98
152.07%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.02€1.75
$1.52RON 6.93
32.89%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.0K€30.3K
$28.4KRON 129.1K
23.12%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$39.6K€34.3K
$28.0KRON 127.4K
41.50%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lisbon
Sfantu Gheorghe
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$148€128
$172RON 780
-13.78%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$20.52€17.77
$8.50RON 38.63
141.41%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$39.52€34.23
$9.96RON 45.27
296.79%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lisbon
Sfantu Gheorghe
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$48.17€41.72
$41.93RON 191
14.88%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.39€15.92
$19.27RON 87.6
-4.57%
Cinema Ticket
$9.10€7.88
$3.51RON 15.97
159.26%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lisbon
Sfantu Gheorghe
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$615€532
$426RON 1,938
44.18%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$16.3K€14.1K
$6,971RON 31.7K
133.60%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lisbon
Sfantu Gheorghe
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$102€88.0
$34.68RON 158
192.88%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.09€36.45
$18.68RON 84.9
125.32%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$92.3€79.9
$27.75RON 126
232.65%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$122€106
$68.5RON 312
78.14%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lisbon
Sfantu Gheorghe
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,612€1,396
$312RON 1,420
415.99%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,254€1,086
$226RON 1,027
454.94%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,069€2,658
$583RON 2,649
426.85%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,037€1,764
$438RON 1,993
364.62%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,751€6,712
$1,995RON 9,071
288.44%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,286€3,712
$1,401RON 6,368
206.00%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Lisbon
Sfantu Gheorghe
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,602€1,387
$693RON 3,151
131.14%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.81
6.75
-43.56%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Lisbon: July 27, 2026
Last update for Sfantu Gheorghe: July 28, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,612 in Lisbon and $312 in Sfantu Gheorghe. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Lisbon pays 131% 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 $40.00 in Sfantu Gheorghe for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $267 vs $200 per month, with Sfantu Gheorghe 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 Sfantu Gheorghe: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Lisbon and in Sfantu Gheorghe?
Lisbon and Sfantu Gheorghe differ by about 155% in total monthly costs ($2,280 vs $896 including rent). Sfantu Gheorghe is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Lisbon or Sfantu Gheorghe?
Average pay runs 131% higher in Lisbon, 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 in Sfantu Gheorghe?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,612 in Lisbon versus $312 in Sfantu Gheorghe. 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 Sfantu Gheorghe?
Childcare runs $615 in Lisbon versus $426 in Sfantu Gheorghe. 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 34% higher in Lisbon. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $896 in Sfantu Gheorghe versus $2,280 in Lisbon, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Sfantu Gheorghe but tight or insufficient in Lisbon. The gap between the two cities makes Sfantu Gheorghe the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Lisbon and Sfantu Gheorghe?
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 Sfantu Gheorghe safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Lisbon and Sfantu Gheorghe 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 Sfantu Gheorghe?
Expats usually find Sfantu Gheorghe gentler on the wallet – expenses run 155% less than in Lisbon. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.