🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,243 in Lisbon versus $2,423 in Wheaton, IL.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,315 in Lisbon versus $3,852 in Wheaton, IL.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,387 in Lisbon versus $5,281 in Wheaton, IL.
🙂Living in Lisbon costs roughly 7% less than in Wheaton, IL, driven mainly by Getting Around.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Lisbon67% above, Wheaton, IL81% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Lisbon
Wheaton, IL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$15.73€13.42
$15.22$15.22
3.35%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$63.2€53.9
$74.2$74.2
-14.88%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.32€8.80
$10.89$10.89
-5.23%
Cappuccino
$2.81€2.40
$5.53$5.53
-49.19%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.33€1.99
$2.71$2.71
-14.02%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.51€1.29
$2.32$2.32
-34.91%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.37€2.87
$5.86$5.86
-42.49%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.91€3.34
$7.34$7.34
-46.73%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lisbon
Wheaton, IL
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.08€0.92
$0.82$0.82
31.71%
White Bread(500g)
$1.75€1.49
$3.68$3.68
-52.45%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.75€1.50
$3.29$3.29
-46.81%
Eggs
$3.10€2.64
$4.31$4.31
-28.07%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.28€11.33
$10.12$10.12
31.23%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.85€6.70
$8.64$8.64
-9.14%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$16.05€13.69
$11.34$11.34
41.53%
Apples(1kg)
$2.39€2.04
$4.53$4.53
-47.24%
Banana(1kg)
$1.72€1.47
$1.55$1.55
10.97%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.97€1.68
$3.48$3.48
-43.39%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.55€2.17
$3.58$3.58
-28.77%
Potato(1kg)
$1.79€1.53
$1.78$1.78
0.56%
Onion(1kg)
$1.97€1.68
$2.44$2.44
-19.26%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.96€1.67
$1.76$1.76
11.36%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84€0.71
$2.03$2.03
-58.62%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.82€5.82
$10.13$10.13
-32.68%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.85€4.99
$11.76$11.76
-50.26%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.38€1.18
$2.32$2.32
-40.52%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.92€2.49
$2.92$2.92
-
🚌 Getting Around
Lisbon
Wheaton, IL
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.29€1.95
$4.90$4.90
-53.27%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$46.88€39.99
$100$100
-53.34%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.12€3.51
$4.55$4.55
-9.45%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.81€0.69
$0.76$0.76
6.58%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$18.94€16.16
$42.15$42.15
-55.07%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.09€1.78
$0.97$0.97
115.46%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.1K€30.0K
$22.6K$22.6K
55.70%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$39.7K€33.9K
$25.1K$25.1K
58.26%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lisbon
Wheaton, IL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$150€128
$171$171
-12.51%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$20.49€17.48
$50.3$50.3
-59.27%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$39.15€33.40
$60.1$60.1
-34.82%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lisbon
Wheaton, IL
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$49.65€42.35
$42.76$42.76
16.11%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.47€15.76
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$9.20€7.84
$11.16$11.16
-17.56%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lisbon
Wheaton, IL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$624€533
$1,618$1,618
-61.40%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$15.9K€13.6K
$24.8K$24.8K
-35.97%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lisbon
Wheaton, IL
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$102€87.2
$45.40$45.40
125.04%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$40.88€34.87
$48.94$48.94
-16.47%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$95.7€81.6
$66.1$66.1
44.88%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$121€103
$85.3$85.3
41.94%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lisbon
Wheaton, IL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,653€1,410
$1,477$1,477
11.88%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,233€1,051
$1,213$1,213
1.65%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,043€2,596
$2,918$2,918
4.28%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,059€1,756
$2,551$2,551
-19.28%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,879€6,720
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,303€3,671
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Lisbon
Wheaton, IL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,566€1,336
$5,476$5,476
-71.40%
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: April 21, 2026
Last update for Wheaton, IL: April 22, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,653 in Lisbon and $1,477 in Wheaton, IL. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Wheaton, IL pays 250% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $63 in Lisbon vs $74 in Wheaton, IL for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $270 vs $329 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 Wheaton, IL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Lisbon and Wheaton, IL?
Lisbon and Wheaton, IL differ by about 8% in total monthly costs ($2,243 vs $2,423 including rent). Lisbon is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, Wheaton, IL earns 250% 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 Wheaton, IL?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,653 in Lisbon versus $1,477 in Wheaton, IL. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Lisbon and Wheaton, IL?
Childcare runs $624 in Lisbon versus $1,618 in Wheaton, IL. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Supermarket bills run roughly 22% higher in Wheaton, IL. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city is more doable on $3,000 per month?
At $2,243 in Lisbon versus $2,423 in Wheaton, IL, a $3,000 budget is realistic in Lisbon but tight or insufficient in Wheaton, IL. The gap between the two cities makes Lisbon the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Lisbon and Wheaton, 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 Wheaton, IL safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Lisbon and Wheaton, 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 Wheaton, IL?
Expats usually find Lisbon gentler on the wallet – expenses run 8% less than in Wheaton, IL. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.