😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,263 in Lisbon versus $2,185 in Staunton, VA.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,315 in Lisbon versus $3,715 in Staunton, VA.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,368 in Lisbon versus $5,245 in Staunton, VA.
😐Living in Lisbon is roughly 4% more expensive than Staunton, VA, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Lisbon68% above, Staunton, VA63% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Lisbon
Staunton, VA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$15.94€13.73
$19.93$19.93
-20.02%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$63.4€54.6
$80.7$80.7
-21.49%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.38€8.95
$11.86$11.86
-12.48%
Cappuccino
$2.79€2.40
$5.99$5.99
-53.42%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.34€2.01
$3.09$3.09
-24.27%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.57€1.35
$2.56$2.56
-38.67%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.43€2.95
$3.90$3.90
-12.05%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.91€3.37
$5.55$5.55
-29.55%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lisbon
Staunton, VA
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.08€0.93
$1.06$1.06
1.89%
White Bread(500g)
$1.77€1.52
$3.22$3.22
-45.03%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.71€1.47
$7.11$7.11
-75.95%
Eggs
$3.15€2.71
$4.37$4.37
-27.92%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.68€11.79
$11.41$11.41
19.89%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.01€6.90
$15.45$15.45
-48.16%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.52€13.37
$15.11$15.11
2.71%
Apples(1kg)
$2.29€1.98
$6.08$6.08
-62.34%
Banana(1kg)
$1.64€1.41
$1.50$1.50
9.33%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.94€1.67
$5.05$5.05
-61.58%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.51€2.17
$6.39$6.39
-60.72%
Potato(1kg)
$1.79€1.54
$3.47$3.47
-48.41%
Onion(1kg)
$2.01€1.73
$3.72$3.72
-45.97%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.97€1.69
$1.94$1.94
1.55%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84€0.73
$2.56$2.56
-67.19%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.79€5.85
$9.26$9.26
-26.67%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.67€4.89
$15.97$15.97
-64.50%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.39€1.20
$2.86$2.86
-51.40%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.02€2.60
$4.66$4.66
-35.19%
🚌 Getting Around
Lisbon
Staunton, VA
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.27€1.95
$1.95$1.95
16.41%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$45.44€39.15
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.29€3.70
$4.04$4.04
6.19%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.85€0.73
$2.52$2.52
-66.27%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$18.28€15.75
$29.90$29.90
-38.86%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.99€1.71
$0.83$0.83
139.76%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.0K€30.2K
$30.2K$30.2K
15.92%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$39.5K€34.1K
$26.2K$26.2K
50.98%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lisbon
Staunton, VA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$146€126
$177$177
-17.57%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$20.45€17.62
$59.1$59.1
-65.37%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$38.98€33.58
$30.58$30.58
27.47%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lisbon
Staunton, VA
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$48.98€42.21
$43.43$43.43
12.78%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.83€16.22
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$9.52€8.21
$13.26$13.26
-28.21%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lisbon
Staunton, VA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$608€524
$2,733$2,733
-77.75%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$16.5K€14.2K
$40.2K$40.2K
-58.92%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lisbon
Staunton, VA
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$104€89.5
$78.9$78.9
31.72%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.12€36.29
$49.40$49.40
-14.74%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$92.2€79.5
$102$102
-9.99%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$120€103
$143$143
-15.92%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lisbon
Staunton, VA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,621€1,397
$1,386$1,386
16.99%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,268€1,092
$869$869
45.88%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,048€2,626
$2,634$2,634
15.71%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,009€1,731
$2,211$2,211
-9.15%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,663€6,602
$2,303$2,303
232.70%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,329€3,730
$2,298$2,298
88.36%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Lisbon
Staunton, VA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,585€1,366
$4,276$4,276
-62.94%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.81
6.48
-41.20%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Lisbon: June 8, 2026
Last update for Staunton, VA: June 6, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,621 in Lisbon and $1,386 in Staunton, VA. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Staunton, VA pays 170% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $63.0 in Lisbon vs $81.0 in Staunton, VA for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $269 vs $449 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 Staunton, VA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Lisbon and Staunton, VA?
Lisbon and Staunton, VA differ by about 4% in total monthly costs ($2,263 vs $2,185 including rent). Staunton, VA is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, Staunton, VA earns 170% 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 Staunton, VA?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,621 in Lisbon versus $1,386 in Staunton, VA. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Shoppers in Lisbon pay roughly 67% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.
Which city is more expensive overall: Lisbon or Staunton, VA?
All in, you'll spend $2,263 per month in Lisbon versus $2,185 in Staunton, VA – a 4% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is more doable on $2,500 per month?
At $2,185 in Staunton, VA versus $2,263 in Lisbon, a $2,500 budget is realistic in Staunton, VA but tight or insufficient in Lisbon. The gap between the two cities makes Staunton, VA the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Lisbon and Staunton, VA?
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 Staunton, VA safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Lisbon and Staunton, VA 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 Staunton, VA?
Expats usually find Staunton, VA gentler on the wallet – expenses run 4% less than in Lisbon. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.