🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,227 in Lisbon versus $3,222 in Tacoma, WA.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,305 in Lisbon versus $4,629 in Tacoma, WA.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,384 in Lisbon versus $6,037 in Tacoma, WA.
🙂Living in Lisbon costs roughly 31% less than in Tacoma, WA, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Lisbon66% above, Tacoma, WA141% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Lisbon
Tacoma, WA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$16.17€13.84
$16.26$16.26
-0.55%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$64.6€55.3
$73.0$73.0
-11.55%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.38€8.88
$12.38$12.38
-16.16%
Cappuccino
$2.77€2.37
$6.12$6.12
-54.74%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.25€1.92
$2.99$2.99
-24.75%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.57€1.35
$2.29$2.29
-31.44%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.49€2.99
$7.31$7.31
-52.26%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.00€3.43
$11.89$11.89
-66.36%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lisbon
Tacoma, WA
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.08€0.93
$1.15$1.15
-6.09%
White Bread(500g)
$1.74€1.49
$4.33$4.33
-59.82%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.74€1.49
$8.42$8.42
-79.33%
Eggs
$3.18€2.72
$4.85$4.85
-34.43%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.43€11.50
$11.41$11.41
17.70%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.99€6.84
$16.13$16.13
-50.46%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$16.09€13.77
$19.48$19.48
-17.40%
Apples(1kg)
$2.28€1.95
$5.26$5.26
-56.65%
Banana(1kg)
$1.72€1.48
$1.66$1.66
3.61%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.94€1.66
$5.12$5.12
-62.11%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.54€2.18
$4.92$4.92
-48.37%
Potato(1kg)
$1.83€1.57
$3.37$3.37
-45.70%
Onion(1kg)
$2.04€1.75
$2.74$2.74
-25.55%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.98€1.69
$1.99$1.99
-0.50%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.85€0.73
$3.04$3.04
-72.04%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.85€5.87
$10.79$10.79
-36.52%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.78€4.94
$18.63$18.63
-68.97%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.37€1.18
$1.76$1.76
-22.16%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.90€2.48
$6.66$6.66
-56.46%
🚌 Getting Around
Lisbon
Tacoma, WA
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.28€1.95
$2.52$2.52
-9.52%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$46.84€40.10
$61.0$61.0
-23.26%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.08€3.49
$2.64$2.64
54.55%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.82€0.70
$1.71$1.71
-52.05%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$18.27€15.64
$29.76$29.76
-38.61%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.01€1.72
$1.15$1.15
74.78%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.3K€30.2K
$36.0K$36.0K
-1.91%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$38.5K€32.9K
$27.8K$27.8K
38.68%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lisbon
Tacoma, WA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$145€124
$230$230
-36.66%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$20.96€17.94
$71.8$71.8
-70.82%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$40.05€34.29
$88.5$88.5
-54.72%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lisbon
Tacoma, WA
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$48.79€41.76
$52.0$52.0
-6.17%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.69€16.00
$14.93$14.93
25.18%
Cinema Ticket
$9.06€7.76
$15.58$15.58
-41.85%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lisbon
Tacoma, WA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$607€519
$2,059$2,059
-70.54%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$16.3K€14.0K
$31.1K$31.1K
-47.50%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lisbon
Tacoma, WA
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$105€89.6
$60.0$60.0
74.49%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$40.95€35.06
$43.82$43.82
-6.55%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$93.6€80.1
$86.5$86.5
8.13%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$119€101
$137$137
-13.18%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lisbon
Tacoma, WA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,604€1,373
$1,906$1,906
-15.86%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,236€1,058
$1,754$1,754
-29.56%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,046€2,607
$3,082$3,082
-1.16%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,057€1,761
$2,795$2,795
-26.42%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,709€6,599
$4,861$4,861
58.57%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,266€3,652
$3,530$3,530
20.86%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Lisbon
Tacoma, WA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,584€1,356
$4,937$4,937
-67.92%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.81
6.51
-41.47%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Lisbon: April 26, 2026
Last update for Tacoma, WA: April 28, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,604 in Lisbon and $1,906 in Tacoma, WA. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Tacoma, WA pays 212% 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: $65.0 in Lisbon vs $73.0 in Tacoma, WA for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $271 vs $482 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 Tacoma, WA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Lisbon and Tacoma, WA?
Lisbon and Tacoma, WA differ by about 45% in total monthly costs ($2,227 vs $3,222 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, Tacoma, WA earns 212% 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 Tacoma, WA?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,604 in Lisbon versus $1,906 in Tacoma, WA. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Lisbon and Tacoma, WA?
Childcare runs $607 in Lisbon versus $2,059 in Tacoma, WA. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Supermarket bills run roughly 78% higher in Tacoma, WA. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city is more doable on $3,000 per month?
At $2,227 in Lisbon versus $3,222 in Tacoma, WA, a $3,000 budget is realistic in Lisbon but tight or insufficient in Tacoma, WA. 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 Tacoma, WA?
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 Tacoma, WA safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Lisbon and Tacoma, WA 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 Tacoma, WA?
Expats usually find Lisbon gentler on the wallet – expenses run 45% less than in Tacoma, WA. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.