😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,210 in Lisbon versus $588 in The Valley.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,311 in Lisbon versus $1,265 in The Valley.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,411 in Lisbon versus $1,941 in The Valley.
😐Living in Lisbon is roughly 276% more expensive than The Valley, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Lisbon is 65% above, The Valley is 56% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Lisbon
The Valley
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$15.91€13.70
$20.03EC$54.1
-20.57%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$64.8€55.8
$148EC$399
-56.18%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.51€9.05
$9.85EC$26.59
6.70%
Cappuccino
$2.87€2.47
$5.10EC$13.76
-43.73%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.24€1.93
$3.53EC$9.53
-36.54%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.50€1.30
$3.90EC$10.54
-61.54%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.49€3.01
$3.95EC$10.68
-11.65%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.88€3.34
$4.97EC$13.41
-21.93%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lisbon
The Valley
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.14€0.98
$1.41EC$3.82
-19.15%
White Bread(500g)
$1.75€1.51
$3.23EC$8.72
-45.82%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.76€1.51
-
-
Eggs
$3.22€2.77
-
-
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.49€11.62
$21.83EC$59.0
-38.20%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.91€6.81
$12.19EC$32.91
-35.11%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.87€13.67
-
-
Apples(1kg)
$2.31€1.99
-
-
Banana(1kg)
$1.70€1.46
-
-
Oranges(1kg)
$2.01€1.73
-
-
Tomato(1kg)
$2.46€2.12
-
-
Potato(1kg)
$1.84€1.59
-
-
Onion(1kg)
$2.00€1.72
-
-
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.93€1.66
-
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.79€0.68
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.61€5.69
-
-
Wine(Bottle)
$5.72€4.93
$20.67EC$55.8
-72.33%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.37€1.18
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.97€2.56
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Lisbon
The Valley
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.37€2.04
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$45.56€39.23
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.29€3.69
$25.50EC$68.9
-83.18%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.82€0.70
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$18.30€15.76
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.06€1.78
$1.86EC$5.03
10.75%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.3K€29.5K
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$39.3K€33.8K
-
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lisbon
The Valley
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$148€127
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$20.52€17.67
-
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$39.61€34.11
-
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lisbon
The Valley
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$47.85€41.20
$45.59EC$123
4.96%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.92€16.29
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$9.18€7.91
-
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lisbon
The Valley
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$614€529
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$16.0K€13.8K
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lisbon
The Valley
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$105€90.1
-
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.06€36.22
-
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$94.0€80.9
-
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$120€103
-
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lisbon
The Valley
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,628€1,402
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,255€1,081
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,030€2,609
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,020€1,740
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,800€6,716
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,273€3,679
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Lisbon
The Valley
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,603€1,381
-
-
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: June 1, 2026
Last update for The Valley: June 2, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🛒Dining out: $65.0 in Lisbon vs $148 in The Valley. Groceries flip the comparison at $269 vs $214, with The Valley cheaper for home cooking.
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 The Valley: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Lisbon and The Valley?
Lisbon and The Valley differ by about 276% in total monthly costs ($2,210 vs $588 including rent). The Valley 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 The Valley?
You'd need roughly $3,315 in Lisbon and $882 in The Valley 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 restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in The Valley – a meal for two runs $148 versus $65.0 in Lisbon. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more expensive overall: Lisbon or The Valley?
All in, you'll spend $2,210 per month in Lisbon versus $588 in The Valley – a 276% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is more doable on $1,500 per month?
At $588 in The Valley versus $2,210 in Lisbon, a $1,500 budget is realistic in The Valley but tight or insufficient in Lisbon. The gap between the two cities makes The Valley the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Lisbon and The Valley?
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 The Valley safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Lisbon and The Valley 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 The Valley?
Expats usually find The Valley gentler on the wallet – expenses run 276% less than in Lisbon. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.