๐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,258 in Lisbon versus $711 in Zaozhuang.
๐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,328 in Lisbon versus $1,130 in Zaozhuang.
๐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,397 in Lisbon versus $1,550 in Zaozhuang.
๐Living in Lisbon is roughly 218% more expensive than Zaozhuang, driven mainly by Eating Out.
๐The two cities straddle the global median: Lisbon is 68% above, Zaozhuang is 47% below.
Currency
๐ฝ Eating Out
Lisbon
Zaozhuang
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$15.82โฌ13.43
$2.77ยฅ18.90
471.12%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$64.4โฌ54.7
$20.61ยฅ141
212.42%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.37โฌ8.80
$4.92ยฅ33.61
110.77%
Cappuccino
$2.89โฌ2.46
$2.93ยฅ20.00
-1.37%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.23โฌ1.90
$0.43ยฅ2.97
418.60%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.55โฌ1.31
$0.29ยฅ1.99
434.48%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.38โฌ2.87
$0.87ยฅ5.96
288.51%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.90โฌ3.31
$2.12ยฅ14.48
83.96%
๐ Groceries & Markets
Lisbon
Zaozhuang
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.12โฌ0.95
$1.78ยฅ12.15
-37.08%
White Bread(500g)
$1.80โฌ1.53
$1.54ยฅ10.52
16.88%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.75โฌ1.48
$0.95ยฅ6.50
84.21%
Eggs
$3.17โฌ2.69
$1.61ยฅ11.01
96.89%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.50โฌ11.46
$12.61ยฅ86.1
7.06%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.79โฌ6.61
$3.11ยฅ21.22
150.48%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.65โฌ13.29
$10.38ยฅ70.9
50.77%
Apples(1kg)
$2.28โฌ1.94
$1.74ยฅ11.92
31.03%
Banana(1kg)
$1.71โฌ1.46
$1.25ยฅ8.56
36.80%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.93โฌ1.64
$1.38ยฅ9.39
39.86%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.52โฌ2.14
$1.10ยฅ7.49
129.09%
Potato(1kg)
$1.79โฌ1.52
$0.73ยฅ4.97
145.21%
Onion(1kg)
$2.05โฌ1.74
$0.97ยฅ6.60
111.34%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.94โฌ1.64
$0.57ยฅ3.86
240.35%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.81โฌ0.69
$0.54ยฅ3.71
50.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.65โฌ5.65
$3.22ยฅ21.97
106.52%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.79โฌ4.91
$9.80ยฅ67.0
-40.92%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.33โฌ1.13
$0.75ยฅ5.11
77.33%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.91โฌ2.47
$1.60ยฅ10.92
81.88%
๐ Getting Around
Lisbon
Zaozhuang
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.35โฌ1.99
$0.27ยฅ1.82
770.37%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$45.70โฌ38.80
$16.64ยฅ114
174.64%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.20โฌ3.57
$1.35ยฅ9.24
211.11%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.81โฌ0.69
$0.33ยฅ2.23
145.45%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$18.70โฌ15.88
$6.55ยฅ44.73
185.50%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.09โฌ1.78
$1.18ยฅ8.08
77.12%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.6Kโฌ29.4K
$19.0Kยฅ130.0K
81.79%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$39.7Kโฌ33.7K
$16.6Kยฅ113.6K
138.36%
๐งพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lisbon
Zaozhuang
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$146โฌ124
$45.48ยฅ311
220.69%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$20.84โฌ17.69
$9.61ยฅ65.6
116.86%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$39.78โฌ33.77
$11.57ยฅ79.0
243.82%
๐ Sport & Entertainment
Lisbon
Zaozhuang
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$48.58โฌ41.25
$42.12ยฅ288
15.34%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.85โฌ16.00
$13.82ยฅ94.4
36.40%
Cinema Ticket
$9.07โฌ7.70
$6.31ยฅ43.11
43.74%
๐งธ Childcare & Education
Lisbon
Zaozhuang
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$618โฌ525
$337ยฅ2,303
83.26%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$16.2Kโฌ13.7K
$16.7Kยฅ113.9K
-3.09%
๐๐ Clothing & Footwear
Lisbon
Zaozhuang
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$105โฌ88.8
$44.04ยฅ301
137.40%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$40.54โฌ34.42
$30.53ยฅ209
32.79%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$93.8โฌ79.6
$70.2ยฅ479
33.66%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$123โฌ104
$74.8ยฅ511
63.94%
๐ Accommodation & Living
Lisbon
Zaozhuang
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,604โฌ1,362
$278ยฅ1,902
475.89%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,260โฌ1,070
$186ยฅ1,268
579.09%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,065โฌ2,602
$591ยฅ4,039
418.27%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,008โฌ1,705
$360ยฅ2,458
458.01%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,702โฌ6,539
$2,920ยฅ19.9K
163.81%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,367โฌ3,707
$2,056ยฅ14.0K
112.41%
๐ต Salaries & Financials
Lisbon
Zaozhuang
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,638โฌ1,391
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.81
3.87
-1.55%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input โ minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Lisbon: April 13, 2026
Last update for Zaozhuang: April 14, 2026
Cost Breakdown
๐ A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,604 in Lisbon and $278 in Zaozhuang. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
๐Dining out: $64 in Lisbon vs $21 in Zaozhuang for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $268 vs $195 per month, with Zaozhuang 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 Zaozhuang: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Lisbon and Zaozhuang?
Lisbon and Zaozhuang differ by about 218% in total monthly costs ($2,258 vs $711 including rent). Zaozhuang is meaningfully more affordable โ a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
What salary covers living expenses in Lisbon compared to Zaozhuang?
You'd need roughly $3,387 in Lisbon and $1,067 in Zaozhuang 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.
How do apartment prices compare in Lisbon and Zaozhuang?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,604 in Lisbon versus $278 in Zaozhuang. 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 Zaozhuang?
Childcare runs $618 in Lisbon versus $337 in Zaozhuang. 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 38% higher in Lisbon. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city is more doable on $1,000 per month?
At $711 in Zaozhuang versus $2,258 in Lisbon, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Zaozhuang but tight or insufficient in Lisbon. The gap between the two cities makes Zaozhuang the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Lisbon and Zaozhuang?
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 Zaozhuang safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Lisbon and Zaozhuang 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 Zaozhuang?
Expats usually find Zaozhuang gentler on the wallet โ expenses run 218% less than in Lisbon. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.