๐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,258 in Lisbon versus $2,409 in Starkville, MS.
๐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,328 in Lisbon versus $3,006 in Starkville, MS.
๐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,397 in Lisbon versus $3,602 in Starkville, MS.
๐Living in Lisbon costs roughly 6% less than in Starkville, MS, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
๐Both cities are pricier than the global median: Lisbon68% above, Starkville, MS79% above.
Currency
๐ฝ Eating Out
Lisbon
Starkville, MS
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$15.82โฌ13.46
$16.73$16.73
-5.44%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$64.4โฌ54.8
$50.2$50.2
28.37%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.37โฌ8.82
$6.85$6.85
51.39%
Cappuccino
$2.89โฌ2.46
$4.55$4.55
-36.48%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.23โฌ1.90
$2.43$2.43
-8.23%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.55โฌ1.32
$1.83$1.83
-15.30%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.38โฌ2.88
$4.02$4.02
-15.92%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.90โฌ3.32
$6.94$6.94
-43.80%
๐ Groceries & Markets
Lisbon
Starkville, MS
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.12โฌ0.96
$0.95$0.95
17.89%
White Bread(500g)
$1.80โฌ1.53
$2.71$2.71
-33.58%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.75โฌ1.49
$2.76$2.76
-36.59%
Eggs
$3.17โฌ2.70
$4.16$4.16
-23.80%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.50โฌ11.49
$8.18$8.18
65.04%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.79โฌ6.63
$8.99$8.99
-13.35%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.65โฌ13.32
$15.34$15.34
2.02%
Apples(1kg)
$2.28โฌ1.94
$3.64$3.64
-37.36%
Banana(1kg)
$1.71โฌ1.46
$1.62$1.62
5.56%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.93โฌ1.65
$2.85$2.85
-32.28%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.52โฌ2.15
$4.40$4.40
-42.73%
Potato(1kg)
$1.79โฌ1.52
$2.12$2.12
-15.57%
Onion(1kg)
$2.05โฌ1.74
$2.18$2.18
-5.96%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.94โฌ1.65
$1.70$1.70
14.12%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.81โฌ0.69
$1.54$1.54
-47.40%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.65โฌ5.66
$8.13$8.13
-18.20%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.79โฌ4.92
$12.35$12.35
-53.12%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.33โฌ1.14
$1.73$1.73
-23.12%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.91โฌ2.47
$3.19$3.19
-8.78%
๐ Getting Around
Lisbon
Starkville, MS
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.35โฌ2.00
$2.02$2.02
16.34%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$45.70โฌ38.89
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.20โฌ3.58
$4.97$4.97
-15.49%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.81โฌ0.69
$1.72$1.72
-52.91%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$18.70โฌ15.91
$17.86$17.86
4.70%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.09โฌ1.78
$0.76$0.76
175.00%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.6Kโฌ29.5K
$34.6K$34.6K
0.08%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$39.7Kโฌ33.7K
$26.4K$26.4K
50.42%
๐งพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lisbon
Starkville, MS
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$146โฌ124
$182$182
-19.64%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$20.84โฌ17.73
$30.02$30.02
-30.58%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$39.78โฌ33.85
$65.7$65.7
-39.42%
๐ Sport & Entertainment
Lisbon
Starkville, MS
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$48.58โฌ41.35
$43.01$43.01
12.95%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.85โฌ16.04
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$9.07โฌ7.72
$8.07$8.07
12.39%
๐งธ Childcare & Education
Lisbon
Starkville, MS
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$618โฌ526
$981$981
-36.99%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$16.2Kโฌ13.8K
$8,275$8,275
95.30%
๐๐ Clothing & Footwear
Lisbon
Starkville, MS
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$105โฌ89.0
$43.49$43.49
140.40%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$40.54โฌ34.50
$36.47$36.47
11.16%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$93.8โฌ79.8
$89.1$89.1
5.31%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$123โฌ104
$130$130
-5.99%
๐ Accommodation & Living
Lisbon
Starkville, MS
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,604โฌ1,365
$979$979
63.83%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,260โฌ1,073
$1,333$1,333
-5.41%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,065โฌ2,608
$2,003$2,003
53.02%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,008โฌ1,709
$1,277$1,277
57.27%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,702โฌ6,555
$2,193$2,193
251.16%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,367โฌ3,716
$2,140$2,140
104.01%
๐ต Salaries & Financials
Lisbon
Starkville, MS
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,638โฌ1,394
$2,802$2,802
-41.53%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.81
6.55
-41.83%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input โ minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Lisbon: April 13, 2026
Last update for Starkville, MS: April 12, 2026
Cost Breakdown
๐ A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,604 in Lisbon and $979 in Starkville, MS. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
๐ฐStarkville, MS pays 71% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
๐Dining out: $64 in Lisbon vs $50 in Starkville, MS. Groceries flip the comparison at $268 vs $317, 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 Starkville, MS: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Lisbon and Starkville, MS?
Lisbon and Starkville, MS differ by about 7% in total monthly costs ($2,258 vs $2,409 including rent). Lisbon 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, Starkville, MS earns 71% 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 Starkville, MS?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,604 in Lisbon versus $979 in Starkville, MS. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Supermarket bills run roughly 18% higher in Starkville, MS. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city is more expensive overall: Lisbon or Starkville, MS?
All in, you'll spend $2,258 per month in Lisbon versus $2,409 in Starkville, MS โ a 7% 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 $2,258 in Lisbon versus $2,409 in Starkville, MS, a $3,000 budget is realistic in Lisbon but tight or insufficient in Starkville, MS. 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 Starkville, MS?
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 Starkville, MS safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Lisbon and Starkville, MS 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 Starkville, MS?
Expats usually find Lisbon gentler on the wallet โ expenses run 7% less than in Starkville, MS. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.