😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,316 in Lisbon versus $2,084 in Veenendaal.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,361 in Lisbon versus $3,334 in Veenendaal.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,405 in Lisbon versus $4,584 in Veenendaal.
🌍Living in Lisbon is roughly 11% more expensive than in Veenendaal, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Lisbon69% above, Veenendaal52% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Lisbon
Veenendaal
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.30€14.89
$25.65€22.07
-32.55%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$63.3€54.4
$87.8€75.6
-27.94%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.39€9.80
$15.72€13.53
-27.54%
Cappuccino
$3.19€2.75
$4.61€3.97
-30.80%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.45€2.10
$3.49€3.00
-29.80%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.76€1.52
$2.91€2.50
-39.52%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.59€3.09
$5.92€5.10
-39.36%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.39€2.92
$5.86€5.05
-42.15%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lisbon
Veenendaal
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.24€1.06
$1.28€1.10
-3.13%
White Bread(500g)
$1.98€1.71
$1.62€1.39
22.22%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.52€1.31
$3.41€2.93
-55.43%
Eggs
$4.04€3.48
$5.43€4.67
-25.60%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.54€11.65
$13.36€11.50
1.35%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.39€7.22
$16.75€14.42
-49.91%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$18.25€15.70
$17.12€14.73
6.60%
Apples(1kg)
$2.29€1.97
$2.80€2.41
-18.21%
Banana(1kg)
$1.74€1.50
$2.55€2.19
-31.76%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.86€1.60
$1.94€1.67
-4.12%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.63€2.26
$5.96€5.13
-55.87%
Potato(1kg)
$1.92€1.65
$2.12€1.82
-9.43%
Onion(1kg)
$2.09€1.80
$2.35€2.02
-11.06%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.44€1.24
$1.33€1.14
8.27%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84€0.72
$0.88€0.76
-4.55%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.78€5.83
$14.27€12.28
-52.49%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.71€4.91
$7.06€6.07
-19.12%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.38€1.18
$1.49€1.28
-7.38%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.22€1.91
$2.73€2.35
-18.68%
🚌 Getting Around
Lisbon
Veenendaal
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.40€2.06
$3.42€2.94
-29.82%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$46.78€40.25
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.17€3.59
$4.16€3.58
0.24%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.14€0.98
$2.99€2.57
-61.87%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$17.68€15.21
$30.37€26.13
-41.78%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.32€2.00
$2.45€2.11
-5.31%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.3K€30.4K
$42.6K€36.7K
-17.06%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$41.4K€35.7K
$40.9K€35.2K
1.41%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lisbon
Veenendaal
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$170€147
$298€256
-42.75%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$19.34€16.64
$25.64€22.06
-24.57%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$33.64€28.95
$52.9€45.50
-36.38%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lisbon
Veenendaal
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$48.10€41.39
$28.47€24.50
68.95%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.90€17.12
$31.97€27.51
-37.75%
Cinema Ticket
$9.92€8.54
$14.89€12.82
-33.38%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lisbon
Veenendaal
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$717€617
$2,463€2,120
-70.88%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$17.5K€15.0K
$6,204€5,338
181.72%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lisbon
Veenendaal
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$105€90.2
$60.2€51.8
74.11%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$46.95€40.40
$40.21€34.60
16.76%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103€89.0
$90.8€78.2
13.87%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$124€107
$112€96.7
10.30%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lisbon
Veenendaal
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,677€1,443
$1,086€934
54.38%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,271€1,094
$741€638
71.48%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,985€2,568
$2,136€1,838
39.75%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,992€1,715
$1,594€1,371
25.03%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,826€6,734
$5,180€4,458
51.07%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,658€4,008
$4,953€4,262
-5.95%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Lisbon
Veenendaal
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,583€1,362
$2,685€2,310
-41.05%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.79
4.3
-11.86%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Lisbon: August 30, 2026
Last update for Veenendaal: August 30, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,677 in Lisbon and $1,086 in Veenendaal. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Veenendaal pays 70% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $63.0 in Lisbon vs $88.0 in Veenendaal for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $283 vs $360 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 Veenendaal: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Lisbon and in Veenendaal?
Lisbon and Veenendaal differ by about 11% in total monthly costs ($2,316 vs $2,084 including rent). Veenendaal is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, salaries run 70% lower in Veenendaal. 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 in Veenendaal?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,677 in Lisbon versus $1,086 in Veenendaal. 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 27% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.
Which city is more expensive overall: Lisbon or Veenendaal?
All in, you'll spend $2,316 per month in Lisbon versus $2,084 in Veenendaal – a 11% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is more doable on $3,000 per month?
At $2,084 in Veenendaal versus $2,316 in Lisbon, a $3,000 budget is realistic in Veenendaal but tight or insufficient in Lisbon. The gap between the two cities makes Veenendaal the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Lisbon and Veenendaal?
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 Veenendaal safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Lisbon and Veenendaal 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 Veenendaal?
Expats usually find Veenendaal gentler on the wallet – expenses run 11% less than in Lisbon. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.