🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,263 in Lisbon versus $2,894 in Staten Island, NY.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,315 in Lisbon versus $4,541 in Staten Island, NY.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,368 in Lisbon versus $6,188 in Staten Island, NY.
🙂Living in Lisbon costs roughly 22% less than in Staten Island, NY, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Lisbon68% above, Staten Island, NY115% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Lisbon
Staten Island, NY
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$15.94€13.73
$21.84$21.84
-27.01%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$63.4€54.6
$98.2$98.2
-35.47%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.38€8.95
$11.93$11.93
-12.99%
Cappuccino
$2.79€2.40
$5.82$5.82
-52.06%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.34€2.01
$2.28$2.28
2.63%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.57€1.35
$1.59$1.59
-1.26%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.43€2.95
$8.08$8.08
-57.55%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.91€3.37
$7.83$7.83
-50.06%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lisbon
Staten Island, NY
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.08€0.93
$1.54$1.54
-29.87%
White Bread(500g)
$1.77€1.52
$4.66$4.66
-62.02%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.71€1.47
$7.99$7.99
-78.60%
Eggs
$3.15€2.71
$6.52$6.52
-51.69%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.68€11.79
$17.47$17.47
-21.69%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.01€6.90
$13.36$13.36
-40.04%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.52€13.37
$20.46$20.46
-24.14%
Apples(1kg)
$2.29€1.98
$6.44$6.44
-64.44%
Banana(1kg)
$1.64€1.41
$2.65$2.65
-38.11%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.94€1.67
$5.66$5.66
-65.72%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.51€2.17
$6.52$6.52
-61.50%
Potato(1kg)
$1.79€1.54
$3.86$3.86
-53.63%
Onion(1kg)
$2.01€1.73
$4.13$4.13
-51.33%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.97€1.69
$2.76$2.76
-28.62%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84€0.73
$2.71$2.71
-69.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.79€5.85
$19.37$19.37
-64.95%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.67€4.89
$15.23$15.23
-62.77%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.39€1.20
$1.82$1.82
-23.63%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.02€2.60
$3.83$3.83
-21.15%
🚌 Getting Around
Lisbon
Staten Island, NY
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.27€1.95
$2.87$2.87
-20.91%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$45.44€39.15
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.29€3.70
$3.08$3.08
39.29%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.85€0.73
$2.22$2.22
-61.71%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$18.28€15.75
$42.79$42.79
-57.28%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.99€1.71
$0.91$0.91
118.68%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.0K€30.2K
$34.6K$34.6K
1.26%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$39.5K€34.1K
$27.6K$27.6K
43.32%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lisbon
Staten Island, NY
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$146€126
$213$213
-31.25%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$20.45€17.62
$60.7$60.7
-66.31%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$38.98€33.58
$62.3$62.3
-37.43%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lisbon
Staten Island, NY
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$48.98€42.21
$115$115
-57.57%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.83€16.22
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$9.52€8.21
$19.89$19.89
-52.14%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lisbon
Staten Island, NY
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$608€524
$1,983$1,983
-69.33%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$16.5K€14.2K
$16.2K$16.2K
1.62%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lisbon
Staten Island, NY
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$104€89.5
$66.0$66.0
57.41%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.12€36.29
$37.44$37.44
12.50%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$92.2€79.5
$111$111
-17.06%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$120€103
$106$106
13.42%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lisbon
Staten Island, NY
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,621€1,397
$1,721$1,721
-5.76%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,268€1,092
$1,423$1,423
-10.93%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,048€2,626
$3,299$3,299
-7.60%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,009€1,731
$2,640$2,640
-23.92%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,663€6,602
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,329€3,730
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Lisbon
Staten Island, NY
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,585€1,366
$6,053$6,053
-73.82%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.81
6.74
-43.47%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Lisbon: June 8, 2026
Last update for Staten Island, NY: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,621 in Lisbon and $1,721 in Staten Island, NY. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Staten Island, NY pays 282% 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 $98.0 in Staten Island, NY for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $269 vs $514 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 Staten Island, NY: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Lisbon and Staten Island, NY?
Lisbon and Staten Island, NY differ by about 28% in total monthly costs ($2,263 vs $2,894 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, Staten Island, NY earns 282% 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 Staten Island, NY?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,621 in Lisbon versus $1,721 in Staten Island, NY. 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 91% higher in Staten Island, NY. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city is more expensive overall: Lisbon or Staten Island, NY?
All in, you'll spend $2,263 per month in Lisbon versus $2,894 in Staten Island, NY – a 28% 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 $2,263 in Lisbon versus $2,894 in Staten Island, NY, a $3,000 budget is realistic in Lisbon but tight or insufficient in Staten Island, NY. 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 Staten Island, NY?
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 Staten Island, NY safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Lisbon and Staten Island, NY 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 Staten Island, NY?
Expats usually find Lisbon gentler on the wallet – expenses run 28% less than in Staten Island, NY. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.