😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,210 in Lisbon versus $2,104 in Suffolk, VA.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,311 in Lisbon versus $3,140 in Suffolk, VA.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,411 in Lisbon versus $4,176 in Suffolk, VA.
😐Living in Lisbon is roughly 5% more expensive than Suffolk, VA, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Lisbon65% above, Suffolk, VA57% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Lisbon
Suffolk, VA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$15.91€13.70
$22.59$22.59
-29.57%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$64.8€55.8
$78.6$78.6
-17.61%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.51€9.05
$11.86$11.86
-11.38%
Cappuccino
$2.87€2.47
$5.09$5.09
-43.61%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.24€1.93
$1.96$1.96
14.29%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.50€1.30
$1.95$1.95
-23.08%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.49€3.01
$3.98$3.98
-12.31%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.88€3.34
$4.93$4.93
-21.30%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lisbon
Suffolk, VA
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.14€0.98
$1.02$1.02
11.76%
White Bread(500g)
$1.75€1.51
$2.26$2.26
-22.57%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.76€1.51
$2.69$2.69
-34.57%
Eggs
$3.22€2.77
$3.94$3.94
-18.27%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.49€11.62
$3.21$3.21
320.25%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.91€6.81
$5.06$5.06
56.32%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.87€13.67
$15.68$15.68
1.21%
Apples(1kg)
$2.31€1.99
$4.09$4.09
-43.52%
Banana(1kg)
$1.70€1.46
$1.61$1.61
5.59%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.01€1.73
$3.15$3.15
-36.19%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.46€2.12
$4.39$4.39
-43.96%
Potato(1kg)
$1.84€1.59
$3.45$3.45
-46.67%
Onion(1kg)
$2.00€1.72
$3.24$3.24
-38.27%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.93€1.66
$1.65$1.65
16.97%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.79€0.68
$2.05$2.05
-61.46%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.61€5.69
$4.89$4.89
35.17%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.72€4.93
$14.74$14.74
-61.19%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.37€1.18
$1.76$1.76
-22.16%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.97€2.56
$3.85$3.85
-22.86%
🚌 Getting Around
Lisbon
Suffolk, VA
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.37€2.04
$1.97$1.97
20.30%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$45.56€39.23
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.29€3.69
$1.96$1.96
118.88%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.82€0.70
$1.43$1.43
-42.66%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$18.30€15.76
$29.70$29.70
-38.38%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.06€1.78
$0.86$0.86
139.53%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.3K€29.5K
$11.2K$11.2K
205.59%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$39.3K€33.8K
$15.3K$15.3K
157.06%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lisbon
Suffolk, VA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$148€127
$148$148
0.22%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$20.52€17.67
$52.3$52.3
-60.79%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$39.61€34.11
$66.7$66.7
-40.61%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lisbon
Suffolk, VA
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$47.85€41.20
$43.79$43.79
9.27%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.92€16.29
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$9.18€7.91
$13.46$13.46
-31.80%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lisbon
Suffolk, VA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$614€529
$861$861
-28.70%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$16.0K€13.8K
$23.9K$23.9K
-32.89%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lisbon
Suffolk, VA
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$105€90.1
$20.08$20.08
421.22%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.06€36.22
$48.39$48.39
-13.08%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$94.0€80.9
$99.7$99.7
-5.71%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$120€103
$39.97$39.97
199.37%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lisbon
Suffolk, VA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,628€1,402
$1,100$1,100
47.93%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,255€1,081
$1,011$1,011
24.19%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,030€2,609
$1,948$1,948
55.56%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,020€1,740
$1,707$1,707
18.32%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,800€6,716
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,273€3,679
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Lisbon
Suffolk, VA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,603€1,381
$4,392$4,392
-63.49%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.81
5.68
-32.92%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Lisbon: June 1, 2026
Last update for Suffolk, VA: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,628 in Lisbon and $1,100 in Suffolk, VA. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Suffolk, VA pays 174% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $65.0 in Lisbon vs $79.0 in Suffolk, VA for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $269 vs $300 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 Suffolk, VA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Lisbon and Suffolk, VA?
Lisbon and Suffolk, VA differ by about 5% in total monthly costs ($2,210 vs $2,104 including rent). Suffolk, 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, Suffolk, VA earns 174% 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 Suffolk, VA?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,628 in Lisbon versus $1,100 in Suffolk, 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 11% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.
Which city is more expensive overall: Lisbon or Suffolk, VA?
All in, you'll spend $2,210 per month in Lisbon versus $2,104 in Suffolk, VA – a 5% 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 $2,104 in Suffolk, VA versus $2,210 in Lisbon, a $2,500 budget is realistic in Suffolk, VA but tight or insufficient in Lisbon. The gap between the two cities makes Suffolk, VA the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Lisbon and Suffolk, 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 Suffolk, VA safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Lisbon and Suffolk, 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 Suffolk, VA?
Expats usually find Suffolk, VA gentler on the wallet – expenses run 5% less than in Lisbon. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.