😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,227 in Lisbon versus $359 in Zaqatala.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,305 in Lisbon versus $599 in Zaqatala.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,384 in Lisbon versus $839 in Zaqatala.
😐Living in Lisbon is roughly 520% more expensive than Zaqatala, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Lisbon is 66% above, Zaqatala is 73% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Lisbon
Zaqatala
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$16.17€13.84
$5.30₼9.01
205.09%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$64.6€55.3
$20.91₼35.55
208.80%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.38€8.88
$7.22₼12.28
43.77%
Cappuccino
$2.77€2.37
$2.39₼4.06
15.90%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.25€1.92
$0.60₼1.02
275.00%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.57€1.35
$0.55₼0.93
185.45%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.49€2.99
$1.78₼3.02
96.07%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.00€3.43
$2.90₼4.92
37.93%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lisbon
Zaqatala
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.08€0.93
$0.99₼1.68
9.09%
White Bread(500g)
$1.74€1.49
$0.42₼0.72
314.29%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.74€1.49
$2.18₼3.71
-20.18%
Eggs
$3.18€2.72
$1.40₼2.38
127.14%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.43€11.50
$3.51₼5.97
282.62%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.99€6.84
$2.36₼4.01
238.56%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$16.09€13.77
$8.45₼14.37
90.41%
Apples(1kg)
$2.28€1.95
$0.73₼1.23
212.33%
Banana(1kg)
$1.72€1.48
$1.20₼2.03
43.33%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.94€1.66
$0.61₼1.04
218.03%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.54€2.18
$0.73₼1.23
247.95%
Potato(1kg)
$1.83€1.57
$0.28₼0.47
553.57%
Onion(1kg)
$2.04€1.75
$0.40₼0.68
410.00%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.98€1.69
$0.91₼1.55
117.58%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.85€0.73
$0.60₼1.02
41.67%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.85€5.87
$1.73₼2.94
295.95%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.78€4.94
$9.06₼15.40
-36.20%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.37€1.18
$1.17₼1.99
17.09%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.90€2.48
$2.03₼3.45
42.86%
🚌 Getting Around
Lisbon
Zaqatala
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.28€1.95
$0.20₼0.33
1040.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$46.84€40.10
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.08€3.49
-
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.82€0.70
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$18.27€15.64
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.01€1.72
$0.56₼0.96
258.93%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.3K€30.2K
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$38.5K€32.9K
-
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lisbon
Zaqatala
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$145€124
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$20.96€17.94
-
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$40.05€34.29
-
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lisbon
Zaqatala
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$48.79€41.76
$34.12₼58.0
43.00%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.69€16.00
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$9.06€7.76
-
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lisbon
Zaqatala
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$607€519
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$16.3K€14.0K
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lisbon
Zaqatala
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$105€89.6
-
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$40.95€35.06
-
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$93.6€80.1
-
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$119€101
-
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lisbon
Zaqatala
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,604€1,373
$118₼201
1259.12%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,236€1,058
$83.9₼143
1373.36%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,046€2,607
$233₼396
1206.76%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,057€1,761
$149₼254
1278.10%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,709€6,599
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,266€3,652
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Lisbon
Zaqatala
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,584€1,356
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.81
0
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Lisbon: April 26, 2026
Last update for Zaqatala: April 26, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,604 in Lisbon and $118 in Zaqatala. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $65.0 in Lisbon vs $21.00 in Zaqatala for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $271 vs $134 per month, with Zaqatala 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 Zaqatala: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Lisbon and Zaqatala?
Lisbon and Zaqatala differ by about 520% in total monthly costs ($2,227 vs $359 including rent). Zaqatala 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 Zaqatala?
You'd need roughly $3,341 in Lisbon and $538 in Zaqatala 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 Zaqatala?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,604 in Lisbon versus $118 in Zaqatala. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Zaqatala – a meal for two runs $21.00 versus $65.0 in Lisbon. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more expensive overall: Lisbon or Zaqatala?
All in, you'll spend $2,227 per month in Lisbon versus $359 in Zaqatala – a 520% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is more doable on $1,000 per month?
At $359 in Zaqatala versus $2,227 in Lisbon, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Zaqatala but tight or insufficient in Lisbon. The gap between the two cities makes Zaqatala the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Lisbon and Zaqatala?
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 Zaqatala safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Lisbon and Zaqatala 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 Zaqatala?
Expats usually find Zaqatala gentler on the wallet – expenses run 520% less than in Lisbon. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.