Cost of Living Comparison Between Lisbon and Southampton Cost of Living Comparison Between Lisbon and Southampton

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,291 in Lisbon versus $3,667 in Southampton.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,322 in Lisbon versus $8,441 in Southampton.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,354 in Lisbon versus $13.2K in Southampton.

Living in Lisbon costs roughly 38% less than in Southampton, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Lisbon 71% above, Southampton 175% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Lisbon
Southampton
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$16.19 €14.18
$59.9 BMD 59.9
-72.96%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$63.3 €55.5
$183 BMD 183
-65.46%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.32 €9.04
$15.08 BMD 15.08
-31.56%
Cappuccino
$2.83 €2.48
$6.50 BMD 6.50
-56.46%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.29 €2.01
$3.46 BMD 3.46
-33.82%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.58 €1.38
$2.86 BMD 2.86
-44.76%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.40 €2.98
$9.83 BMD 9.83
-65.41%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.03 €3.53
$8.37 BMD 8.37
-51.85%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lisbon
Southampton
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.09 €0.96
$4.53 BMD 4.53
-75.94%
White Bread (500g)
$1.75 €1.53
$8.99 BMD 8.99
-80.53%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.76 €1.54
$5.33 BMD 5.33
-66.98%
Eggs
$3.17 €2.77
$7.68 BMD 7.68
-58.72%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$13.19 €11.56
$11.49 BMD 11.49
14.80%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$7.97 €6.98
$24.31 BMD 24.31
-67.22%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$15.53 €13.60
$32.34 BMD 32.34
-51.98%
Apples (1kg)
$2.37 €2.07
$10.52 BMD 10.52
-77.47%
Banana (1kg)
$1.71 €1.49
$6.24 BMD 6.24
-72.60%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.01 €1.76
$12.56 BMD 12.56
-84.00%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.43 €2.13
$11.44 BMD 11.44
-78.76%
Potato (1kg)
$1.76 €1.54
$8.58 BMD 8.58
-79.49%
Onion (1kg)
$2.03 €1.78
$4.93 BMD 4.93
-58.82%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.92 €1.68
$6.17 BMD 6.17
-68.88%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.85 €0.74
$3.15 BMD 3.15
-73.02%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$6.58 €5.76
$17.54 BMD 17.54
-62.49%
Wine (Bottle)
$5.58 €4.89
$25.04 BMD 25.04
-77.72%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.33 €1.17
$5.43 BMD 5.43
-75.51%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.97 €2.60
$4.37 BMD 4.37
-32.04%
🚌 Getting Around
Lisbon
Southampton
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.28 €1.99
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$45.79 €40.10
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$4.23 €3.70
$6.24 BMD 6.24
-32.21%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.81 €0.71
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$18.44 €16.15
$53.3 BMD 53.3
-65.41%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$2.08 €1.82
$2.05 BMD 2.05
1.46%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.7K €30.4K
$35.5K BMD 35.5K
-2.44%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$39.2K €34.3K
$38.4K BMD 38.4K
1.99%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lisbon
Southampton
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$148 €130
$237 BMD 237
-37.53%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$20.46 €17.92
$119 BMD 119
-82.80%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$39.56 €34.64
$158 BMD 158
-75.00%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lisbon
Southampton
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$47.99 €42.03
-
-
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.60 €16.29
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$9.22 €8.08
$13.34 BMD 13.34
-30.88%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lisbon
Southampton
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$616 €540
$1,335 BMD 1,335
-53.84%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$16.4K €14.4K
$25.0K BMD 25.0K
-34.20%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lisbon
Southampton
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$103 €90.0
$78.5 BMD 78.5
30.88%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$41.74 €36.55
$59.9 BMD 59.9
-30.27%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$94.8 €83.0
$138 BMD 138
-31.22%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$122 €107
$129 BMD 129
-5.06%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lisbon
Southampton
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,633 €1,430
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,232 €1,079
$1,475 BMD 1,475
-16.46%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,098 €2,713
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,031 €1,779
$8,022 BMD 8,022
-74.68%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$7,831 €6,858
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$4,389 €3,844
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Lisbon
Southampton
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,607 €1,408
$9,656 BMD 9,656
-83.35%
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: July 14, 2026

Last update for Southampton: July 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Southampton pays 501% 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 $183 in Southampton for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $267 vs $822 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 in Southampton?
Lisbon and Southampton differ by about 60% in total monthly costs ($2,291 vs $3,667 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 501% lower in Southampton. 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 207% 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 $2,291 per month in Lisbon versus $3,667 in Southampton – a 60% 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 $2,291 in Lisbon versus $3,667 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 60% less than in Southampton. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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