😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,210 in Lisbon versus $1,635 in Urbana, IL.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,311 in Lisbon versus $2,593 in Urbana, IL.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,411 in Lisbon versus $3,551 in Urbana, IL.
😐Living in Lisbon is roughly 35% more expensive than Urbana, IL, driven mainly by Getting Around.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Lisbon65% above, Urbana, IL22% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Lisbon
Urbana, IL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$15.91€13.81
$14.89$14.89
6.85%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$64.8€56.2
$50.3$50.3
28.74%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.51€9.12
$11.21$11.21
-6.24%
Cappuccino
$2.87€2.49
$4.44$4.44
-35.36%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.24€1.95
$2.26$2.26
-0.88%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.50€1.30
$1.53$1.53
-1.96%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.49€3.03
$5.35$5.35
-34.77%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.88€3.37
$6.07$6.07
-36.08%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lisbon
Urbana, IL
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.14€0.99
$0.72$0.72
58.33%
White Bread(500g)
$1.75€1.52
$2.57$2.57
-31.91%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.76€1.52
$2.71$2.71
-35.06%
Eggs
$3.22€2.79
$2.63$2.63
22.43%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.49€11.71
$7.64$7.64
76.57%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.91€6.87
$8.91$8.91
-11.22%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.87€13.77
$13.65$13.65
16.26%
Apples(1kg)
$2.31€2.00
$3.46$3.46
-33.24%
Banana(1kg)
$1.70€1.48
$1.56$1.56
8.97%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.01€1.74
$3.07$3.07
-34.53%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.46€2.13
$3.50$3.50
-29.71%
Potato(1kg)
$1.84€1.60
$2.26$2.26
-18.58%
Onion(1kg)
$2.00€1.74
$2.50$2.50
-20.00%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.93€1.67
$1.75$1.75
10.29%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.79€0.68
$1.34$1.34
-41.04%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.61€5.73
$10.31$10.31
-35.89%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.72€4.97
$10.89$10.89
-47.47%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.37€1.18
$1.75$1.75
-21.71%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.97€2.58
$1.26$1.26
135.71%
🚌 Getting Around
Lisbon
Urbana, IL
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.37€2.06
$1.02$1.02
132.35%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$45.56€39.53
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.29€3.72
$2.97$2.97
44.44%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.82€0.71
$0.61$0.61
34.43%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$18.30€15.88
$29.34$29.34
-37.63%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.06€1.79
$0.97$0.97
112.37%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.3K€29.7K
$25.0K$25.0K
37.30%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$39.3K€34.1K
$22.9K$22.9K
71.72%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lisbon
Urbana, IL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$148€128
$220$220
-32.69%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$20.52€17.80
$42.32$42.32
-51.51%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$39.61€34.37
$59.9$59.9
-33.84%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lisbon
Urbana, IL
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$47.85€41.51
$42.32$42.32
13.07%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.92€16.42
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$9.18€7.97
$12.05$12.05
-23.82%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lisbon
Urbana, IL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$614€533
$1,198$1,198
-48.74%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$16.0K€13.9K
$23.4K$23.4K
-31.50%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lisbon
Urbana, IL
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$105€90.8
$45.31$45.31
130.99%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.06€36.49
$39.91$39.91
5.39%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$94.0€81.5
$68.0$68.0
38.26%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$120€104
$154$154
-22.25%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lisbon
Urbana, IL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,628€1,412
$764$764
113.16%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,255€1,089
$571$571
119.99%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,030€2,629
$1,529$1,529
98.19%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,020€1,753
$1,370$1,370
47.45%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,800€6,767
$1,639$1,639
375.81%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,273€3,707
$1,648$1,648
159.34%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Lisbon
Urbana, IL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,603€1,391
$6,675$6,675
-75.98%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.81
6.52
-41.56%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Lisbon: June 1, 2026
Last update for Urbana, IL: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,628 in Lisbon and $764 in Urbana, IL. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Urbana, IL pays 316% 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 $50.0 in Urbana, IL. Groceries flip the comparison at $269 vs $287, with Lisbon 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 Urbana, IL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Lisbon and Urbana, IL?
Lisbon and Urbana, IL differ by about 35% in total monthly costs ($2,210 vs $1,635 including rent). Urbana, IL is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, Urbana, IL earns 316% 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 Urbana, IL?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,628 in Lisbon versus $764 in Urbana, IL. 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 6% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.
Which city is more expensive overall: Lisbon or Urbana, IL?
All in, you'll spend $2,210 per month in Lisbon versus $1,635 in Urbana, IL – a 35% 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 $1,635 in Urbana, IL versus $2,210 in Lisbon, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Urbana, IL but tight or insufficient in Lisbon. The gap between the two cities makes Urbana, IL the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Lisbon and Urbana, IL?
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 Urbana, IL safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Lisbon and Urbana, IL 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 Urbana, IL?
Expats usually find Urbana, IL gentler on the wallet – expenses run 35% less than in Lisbon. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.