๐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,243 in Lisbon versus $1,708 in Wausau, WI.
๐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,315 in Lisbon versus $2,700 in Wausau, WI.
๐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,387 in Lisbon versus $3,691 in Wausau, WI.
๐Living in Lisbon is roughly 31% more expensive than Wausau, WI, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
๐Both cities are pricier than the global median: Lisbon67% above, Wausau, WI27% above.
Currency
๐ฝ Eating Out
Lisbon
Wausau, WI
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$15.73โฌ13.42
$18.59$18.59
-15.38%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$63.2โฌ53.9
$64.1$64.1
-1.53%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.32โฌ8.80
$8.70$8.70
18.62%
Cappuccino
$2.81โฌ2.40
$4.93$4.93
-43.00%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.33โฌ1.99
$2.92$2.92
-20.21%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.51โฌ1.29
$1.96$1.96
-22.96%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.37โฌ2.87
$5.05$5.05
-33.27%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.91โฌ3.34
$5.61$5.61
-30.30%
๐ Groceries & Markets
Lisbon
Wausau, WI
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.08โฌ0.92
$0.82$0.82
31.71%
White Bread(500g)
$1.75โฌ1.49
$2.89$2.89
-39.45%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.75โฌ1.50
$4.39$4.39
-60.14%
Eggs
$3.10โฌ2.64
$4.34$4.34
-28.57%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.28โฌ11.33
$8.97$8.97
48.05%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.85โฌ6.70
$6.52$6.52
20.40%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$16.05โฌ13.69
$13.53$13.53
18.63%
Apples(1kg)
$2.39โฌ2.04
$4.32$4.32
-44.68%
Banana(1kg)
$1.72โฌ1.47
$1.17$1.17
47.01%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.97โฌ1.68
$3.98$3.98
-50.50%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.55โฌ2.17
$4.10$4.10
-37.80%
Potato(1kg)
$1.79โฌ1.53
$1.82$1.82
-1.65%
Onion(1kg)
$1.97โฌ1.68
$2.09$2.09
-5.74%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.96โฌ1.67
$2.00$2.00
-2.00%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84โฌ0.71
$1.01$1.01
-16.83%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.82โฌ5.82
$8.49$8.49
-19.67%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.85โฌ4.99
$9.21$9.21
-36.48%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.38โฌ1.18
$1.79$1.79
-22.91%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.92โฌ2.49
$2.27$2.27
28.63%
๐ Getting Around
Lisbon
Wausau, WI
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.29โฌ1.95
$2.03$2.03
12.81%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$46.88โฌ39.99
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.12โฌ3.51
$2.87$2.87
43.55%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.81โฌ0.69
$1.57$1.57
-48.41%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$18.94โฌ16.16
$20.96$20.96
-9.64%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.09โฌ1.78
$0.79$0.79
164.56%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.1Kโฌ30.0K
$30.2K$30.2K
16.19%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$39.7Kโฌ33.9K
$25.9K$25.9K
53.54%
๐งพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lisbon
Wausau, WI
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$150โฌ128
$167$167
-10.28%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$20.49โฌ17.48
$47.41$47.41
-56.78%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$39.15โฌ33.40
$62.5$62.5
-37.38%
๐ Sport & Entertainment
Lisbon
Wausau, WI
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$49.65โฌ42.35
$30.35$30.35
63.59%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.47โฌ15.76
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$9.20โฌ7.84
$6.12$6.12
50.33%
๐งธ Childcare & Education
Lisbon
Wausau, WI
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$624โฌ533
$1,819$1,819
-65.67%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$15.9Kโฌ13.6K
$24.6K$24.6K
-35.36%
๐๐ Clothing & Footwear
Lisbon
Wausau, WI
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$102โฌ87.2
$24.78$24.78
312.31%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$40.88โฌ34.87
$44.66$44.66
-8.46%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$95.7โฌ81.6
$66.2$66.2
44.52%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$121โฌ103
$86.5$86.5
39.97%
๐ Accommodation & Living
Lisbon
Wausau, WI
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,653โฌ1,410
$938$938
76.12%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,233โฌ1,051
$702$702
75.51%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,043โฌ2,596
$1,600$1,600
90.26%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,059โฌ1,756
$1,337$1,337
54.06%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,879โฌ6,720
$1,685$1,685
367.64%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,303โฌ3,671
$1,702$1,702
152.78%
๐ต Salaries & Financials
Lisbon
Wausau, WI
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,566โฌ1,336
$3,515$3,515
-55.44%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.81
6.55
-41.83%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input โ minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Lisbon: April 21, 2026
Last update for Wausau, WI: April 22, 2026
Cost Breakdown
๐ A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,653 in Lisbon and $938 in Wausau, WI. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
๐ฐWausau, WI pays 124% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
๐Dining out: $63 in Lisbon vs $64 in Wausau, WI for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $270 vs $299 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 Wausau, WI: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Lisbon and Wausau, WI?
Lisbon and Wausau, WI differ by about 31% in total monthly costs ($2,243 vs $1,708 including rent). Wausau, WI is meaningfully more affordable โ a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, Wausau, WI earns 124% 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 Wausau, WI?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,653 in Lisbon versus $938 in Wausau, WI. 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 11% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.
Which city is more expensive overall: Lisbon or Wausau, WI?
All in, you'll spend $2,243 per month in Lisbon versus $1,708 in Wausau, WI โ a 31% 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 $1,708 in Wausau, WI versus $2,243 in Lisbon, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Wausau, WI but tight or insufficient in Lisbon. The gap between the two cities makes Wausau, WI the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Lisbon and Wausau, WI?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better โ the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Lisbon or Wausau, WI safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Lisbon and Wausau, WI 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 Wausau, WI?
Expats usually find Wausau, WI gentler on the wallet โ expenses run 31% less than in Lisbon. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.