🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,210 in Lisbon versus $3,686 in Southampton.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,311 in Lisbon versus $8,489 in Southampton.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,411 in Lisbon versus $13.3K in Southampton.
🙂Living in Lisbon costs roughly 40% less than in Southampton, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Lisbon65% above, Southampton175% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Lisbon
Southampton
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$15.91€13.69
$59.1BMD 59.1
-73.07%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$64.8€55.7
$177BMD 177
-63.45%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.51€9.04
$14.88BMD 14.88
-29.37%
Cappuccino
$2.87€2.47
$6.47BMD 6.47
-55.64%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.24€1.93
$3.33BMD 3.33
-32.73%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.50€1.29
$2.94BMD 2.94
-48.98%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.49€3.00
$9.90BMD 9.90
-64.75%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.88€3.34
$8.40BMD 8.40
-53.81%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lisbon
Southampton
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.14€0.98
$4.34BMD 4.34
-73.73%
White Bread(500g)
$1.75€1.51
$8.63BMD 8.63
-79.72%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.76€1.51
$5.43BMD 5.43
-67.59%
Eggs
$3.22€2.77
$7.65BMD 7.65
-57.91%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.49€11.61
$11.48BMD 11.48
17.51%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.91€6.81
$24.02BMD 24.02
-67.07%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.87€13.65
$32.59BMD 32.59
-51.30%
Apples(1kg)
$2.31€1.99
$10.18BMD 10.18
-77.31%
Banana(1kg)
$1.70€1.46
$6.43BMD 6.43
-73.56%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.01€1.73
$12.66BMD 12.66
-84.12%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.46€2.12
$11.41BMD 11.41
-78.44%
Potato(1kg)
$1.84€1.59
$8.31BMD 8.31
-77.86%
Onion(1kg)
$2.00€1.72
$5.16BMD 5.16
-61.24%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.93€1.66
$6.15BMD 6.15
-68.62%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.79€0.68
$3.21BMD 3.21
-75.39%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.61€5.68
$17.76BMD 17.76
-62.78%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.72€4.92
$25.42BMD 25.42
-77.50%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.37€1.17
$5.43BMD 5.43
-74.77%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.97€2.56
$4.39BMD 4.39
-32.35%
🚌 Getting Around
Lisbon
Southampton
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.37€2.04
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$45.56€39.19
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.29€3.69
$6.40BMD 6.40
-32.97%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.82€0.70
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$18.30€15.74
$53.8BMD 53.8
-66.00%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.06€1.78
$2.01BMD 2.01
2.49%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.3K€29.5K
$34.3KBMD 34.3K
-0.08%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$39.3K€33.8K
$38.4KBMD 38.4K
2.23%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lisbon
Southampton
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$148€127
$232BMD 232
-36.28%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$20.52€17.65
$120BMD 120
-82.88%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$39.61€34.08
$157BMD 157
-74.78%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lisbon
Southampton
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$47.85€41.16
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.92€16.28
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$9.18€7.90
$13.51BMD 13.51
-32.05%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lisbon
Southampton
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$614€528
$1,342BMD 1,342
-54.25%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$16.0K€13.8K
$24.4KBMD 24.4K
-34.21%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lisbon
Southampton
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$105€90.0
$78.5BMD 78.5
33.41%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.06€36.18
$60.8BMD 60.8
-30.80%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$94.0€80.8
$139BMD 139
-32.27%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$120€103
$126BMD 126
-5.25%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lisbon
Southampton
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,628€1,400
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,255€1,080
$1,518BMD 1,518
-17.33%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,030€2,607
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,020€1,738
$7,968BMD 7,968
-74.65%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,800€6,709
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,273€3,675
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Lisbon
Southampton
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,603€1,379
$9,756BMD 9,756
-83.56%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.81
7.22
-47.23%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Lisbon: June 1, 2026
Last update for Southampton: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
💰Southampton pays 508% 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: $65.0 in Lisbon vs $177 in Southampton for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $269 vs $817 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 Southampton: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Lisbon and Southampton?
Lisbon and Southampton differ by about 67% in total monthly costs ($2,210 vs $3,686 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, Southampton earns 508% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Supermarket bills run roughly 203% higher in Southampton. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city is more expensive overall: Lisbon or Southampton?
All in, you'll spend $2,210 per month in Lisbon versus $3,686 in Southampton – a 67% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is more doable on $3,000 per month?
At $2,210 in Lisbon versus $3,686 in Southampton, a $3,000 budget is realistic in Lisbon but tight or insufficient in Southampton. The gap between the two cities makes Lisbon the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Lisbon and Southampton?
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 Southampton safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Lisbon and Southampton 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 Southampton?
Expats usually find Lisbon gentler on the wallet – expenses run 67% less than in Southampton. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.