😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,280 in Lisbon versus $1,237 in Viljandi.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,294 in Lisbon versus $1,997 in Viljandi.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,307 in Lisbon versus $2,758 in Viljandi.
🌍Living in Lisbon is roughly 84% more expensive than in Viljandi, driven mainly by Getting Around.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Lisbon is 71% above, Viljandi is 7% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Lisbon
Viljandi
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$15.75€13.64
$15.97€13.83
-1.38%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$63.5€55.0
$86.3€74.7
-26.43%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.45€9.05
$11.42€9.89
-8.49%
Cappuccino
$2.91€2.52
$4.30€3.72
-32.33%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.29€1.98
$2.98€2.58
-23.15%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.50€1.30
$2.48€2.15
-39.52%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.56€3.09
$6.25€5.41
-43.04%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.96€3.43
$6.83€5.91
-42.02%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lisbon
Viljandi
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.08€0.94
$1.25€1.08
-13.60%
White Bread(500g)
$1.76€1.53
$1.49€1.29
18.12%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.70€1.47
$2.91€2.52
-41.58%
Eggs
$3.25€2.81
$2.84€2.46
14.44%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.25€11.47
$13.11€11.35
1.07%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.70€6.67
$9.36€8.11
-17.74%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.77€13.66
$23.43€20.29
-32.69%
Apples(1kg)
$2.28€1.97
$2.34€2.02
-2.56%
Banana(1kg)
$1.66€1.43
$1.53€1.32
8.50%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.02€1.75
$2.69€2.33
-24.91%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.47€2.14
$3.67€3.18
-32.70%
Potato(1kg)
$1.79€1.55
$1.40€1.21
27.86%
Onion(1kg)
$2.07€1.79
$0.93€0.81
122.58%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.97€1.71
$2.00€1.73
-1.50%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.83€0.72
$1.14€0.99
-27.19%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.55€5.68
$6.51€5.64
0.61%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.57€4.82
$10.37€8.98
-46.29%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.33€1.15
$1.94€1.68
-31.44%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.01€2.60
$2.46€2.13
22.36%
🚌 Getting Around
Lisbon
Viljandi
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
$4.29€3.72
-1.40%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.85€0.73
$0.85€0.73
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$18.83€16.31
$17.66€15.30
6.63%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.02€1.75
$1.90€1.65
6.32%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.0K€30.3K
$32.6K€28.3K
7.08%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$39.6K€34.3K
$33.9K€29.3K
17.01%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lisbon
Viljandi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$148€128
$347€300
-57.33%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$20.52€17.77
$20.39€17.66
0.64%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$39.52€34.23
$35.58€30.81
11.07%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lisbon
Viljandi
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$48.17€41.72
$34.50€29.88
39.62%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.39€15.92
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$9.10€7.88
$13.78€11.93
-33.96%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lisbon
Viljandi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$615€532
$265€230
131.85%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$16.3K€14.1K
$7,996€6,925
103.66%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lisbon
Viljandi
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$102€88.0
$112€96.6
-8.92%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.09€36.45
$47.07€40.77
-10.58%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$92.3€79.9
$104€89.8
-10.98%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$122€106
$143€124
-14.59%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lisbon
Viljandi
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
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,286€3,712
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Lisbon
Viljandi
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,602€1,387
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.81
5.1
-25.29%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Lisbon: July 27, 2026
Last update for Viljandi: July 26, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🛒Dining out: $63.0 in Lisbon vs $86.0 in Viljandi for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $267 vs $320 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 Viljandi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Lisbon and in Viljandi?
Lisbon and Viljandi differ by about 84% in total monthly costs ($2,280 vs $1,237 including rent). Viljandi 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 Viljandi?
You'd need roughly $3,420 in Lisbon and $1,855 in Viljandi 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?
Shoppers in Lisbon pay roughly 20% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.
Which city is more expensive overall: Lisbon or Viljandi?
All in, you'll spend $2,280 per month in Lisbon versus $1,237 in Viljandi – a 84% 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 $1,237 in Viljandi versus $2,280 in Lisbon, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Viljandi but tight or insufficient in Lisbon. The gap between the two cities makes Viljandi the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Lisbon and Viljandi?
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 Viljandi safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Lisbon and Viljandi 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 Viljandi?
Expats usually find Viljandi gentler on the wallet – expenses run 84% less than in Lisbon. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.