Cost of Living Comparison Between Lisbon and TeteCost of Living Comparison Between Lisbon and Tete
Monthly Cost of Living
😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,280 in Lisbon versus $167 in Tete.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,294 in Lisbon versus $270 in Tete.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,307 in Lisbon versus $373 in Tete.
🌍Living in Lisbon is roughly 1263% more expensive than in Tete, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Lisbon is 71% above, Tete is 87% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Lisbon
Tete
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$15.75€13.64
$4.80MZN 304
228.13%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$63.5€55.0
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Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.45€9.05
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Cappuccino
$2.91€2.52
$1.59MZN 100
83.02%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.29€1.98
$0.81MZN 51.5
182.72%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.50€1.30
$0.38MZN 23.84
294.74%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.56€3.09
$0.81MZN 51.1
339.51%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.96€3.43
$1.28MZN 81.2
209.37%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lisbon
Tete
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.08€0.94
$1.54MZN 97.6
-29.87%
White Bread(500g)
$1.76€1.53
$0.69MZN 43.38
155.07%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.70€1.47
$2.28MZN 144
-25.44%
Eggs
$3.25€2.81
$3.19MZN 202
1.88%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.25€11.47
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-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.70€6.67
$3.17MZN 200
142.90%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.77€13.66
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-
Apples(1kg)
$2.28€1.97
$1.58MZN 100
44.30%
Banana(1kg)
$1.66€1.43
-
-
Oranges(1kg)
$2.02€1.75
-
-
Tomato(1kg)
$2.47€2.14
$1.59MZN 101
55.35%
Potato(1kg)
$1.79€1.55
$1.59MZN 101
12.58%
Onion(1kg)
$2.07€1.79
$1.54MZN 97.2
34.42%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.97€1.71
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-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.83€0.72
$0.75MZN 47.58
10.67%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.55€5.68
-
-
Wine(Bottle)
$5.57€4.82
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.33€1.15
$1.07MZN 67.6
24.30%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.01€2.60
$1.57MZN 99.5
91.72%
🚌 Getting Around
Lisbon
Tete
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.27€1.97
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$46.35€40.14
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.23€3.66
-
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.85€0.73
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$18.83€16.31
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.02€1.75
-
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.0K€30.3K
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$39.6K€34.3K
-
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lisbon
Tete
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$148€128
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-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$20.52€17.77
-
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$39.52€34.23
-
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lisbon
Tete
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$48.17€41.72
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.39€15.92
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-
Cinema Ticket
$9.10€7.88
-
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lisbon
Tete
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$615€532
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$16.3K€14.1K
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-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lisbon
Tete
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$102€88.0
-
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.09€36.45
-
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$92.3€79.9
-
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Men's Leather Business Shoes
$122€106
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🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lisbon
Tete
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,612€1,396
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,254€1,086
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,069€2,658
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,037€1,764
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,751€6,712
-
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Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,286€3,712
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💵 Salaries & Financials
Lisbon
Tete
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,602€1,387
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.81
0
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Lisbon: July 27, 2026
Last update for Tete: July 27, 2026
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 Tete: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Lisbon and in Tete?
Lisbon and Tete differ by about 1263% in total monthly costs ($2,280 vs $167 including rent). Tete is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
What salary covers living expenses in Lisbon compared to Tete?
You'd need roughly $3,420 in Lisbon and $251 in Tete to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Supermarket bills run roughly 163% higher in Lisbon. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city is more expensive overall: Lisbon or Tete?
All in, you'll spend $2,280 per month in Lisbon versus $167 in Tete – a 1263% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $167 in Tete versus $2,280 in Lisbon, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Tete but tight or insufficient in Lisbon. The gap between the two cities makes Tete the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Lisbon and Tete?
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 Tete safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Lisbon and Tete 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 Tete?
Expats usually find Tete gentler on the wallet – expenses run 1263% less than in Lisbon. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.