๐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $966 in Makhachkala versus $2,258 in Lisbon.
๐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,476 in Makhachkala versus $3,328 in Lisbon.
๐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,987 in Makhachkala versus $4,397 in Lisbon.
๐Living in Makhachkala costs roughly 57% less than in Lisbon, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
๐The two cities straddle the global median: Makhachkala is 28% below, Lisbon is 68% above.
Currency
๐ฝ Eating Out
Makhachkala
Lisbon
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$15.62โฝ1,188
$15.82โฌ13.46
-1.26%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$38.69โฝ2,943
$64.4โฌ54.8
-39.91%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.19โฝ395
$10.37โฌ8.82
-49.95%
Cappuccino
$3.24โฝ246
$2.89โฌ2.46
12.11%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.84โฝ63.6
$2.23โฌ1.90
-62.33%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.35โฝ26.81
$1.55โฌ1.32
-77.42%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.37โฝ104
$3.38โฌ2.88
-59.47%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.57โฝ195
$3.90โฌ3.32
-34.10%
๐ Groceries & Markets
Makhachkala
Lisbon
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.51โฝ115
$1.12โฌ0.96
34.82%
White Bread(500g)
$0.65โฝ49.55
$1.80โฌ1.53
-63.89%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38โฝ105
$1.75โฌ1.49
-21.14%
Eggs
$1.38โฝ105
$3.17โฌ2.70
-56.47%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$2.99โฝ227
$13.50โฌ11.49
-77.85%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.81โฝ366
$7.79โฌ6.63
-38.25%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$5.05โฝ384
$15.65โฌ13.32
-67.73%
Apples(1kg)
$1.82โฝ138
$2.28โฌ1.94
-20.18%
Banana(1kg)
$1.77โฝ134
$1.71โฌ1.46
3.51%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.80โฝ213
$1.93โฌ1.65
45.08%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.91โฝ145
$2.52โฌ2.15
-24.21%
Potato(1kg)
$0.82โฝ62.2
$1.79โฌ1.52
-54.19%
Onion(1kg)
$0.49โฝ36.98
$2.05โฌ1.74
-76.10%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.48โฝ189
$1.94โฌ1.65
27.84%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.60โฝ45.39
$0.81โฌ0.69
-25.93%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.23โฝ245
$6.65โฌ5.66
-51.43%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.61โฝ655
$5.79โฌ4.92
48.70%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.00โฝ76.3
$1.33โฌ1.14
-24.81%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.86โฝ142
$2.91โฌ2.47
-36.08%
๐ Getting Around
Makhachkala
Lisbon
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.42โฝ32.02
$2.35โฌ2.00
-82.13%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$45.70โฌ38.89
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.23โฝ170
$4.20โฌ3.58
-46.90%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.22โฝ16.69
$0.81โฌ0.69
-72.84%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$6.50โฝ494
$18.70โฌ15.91
-65.24%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.71โฝ53.9
$2.09โฌ1.78
-66.03%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.5Kโฝ2.7M
$34.6Kโฌ29.5K
2.55%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$30.0Kโฝ2.3M
$39.7Kโฌ33.7K
-24.42%
๐งพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Makhachkala
Lisbon
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$54.3โฝ4,130
$146โฌ124
-62.77%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$6.32โฝ481
$20.84โฌ17.73
-69.67%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$9.94โฝ756
$39.78โฌ33.85
-75.01%
๐ Sport & Entertainment
Makhachkala
Lisbon
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$47.60โฝ3,620
$48.58โฌ41.35
-2.02%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$18.85โฌ16.04
-
Cinema Ticket
$5.02โฝ382
$9.07โฌ7.72
-44.65%
๐งธ Childcare & Education
Makhachkala
Lisbon
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$169โฝ12.9K
$618โฌ526
-72.59%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,894โฝ524.3K
$16.2Kโฌ13.8K
-57.34%
๐๐ Clothing & Footwear
Makhachkala
Lisbon
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$103โฝ7,818
$105โฌ89.0
-1.67%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.15โฝ3,358
$40.54โฌ34.50
8.90%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$104โฝ7,877
$93.8โฌ79.8
10.44%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$145โฝ11.1K
$123โฌ104
18.63%
๐ Accommodation & Living
Makhachkala
Lisbon
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$498โฝ37.9K
$1,604โฌ1,365
-68.92%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$304โฝ23.1K
$1,260โฌ1,073
-75.86%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$700โฝ53.2K
$3,065โฌ2,608
-77.17%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$411โฝ31.3K
$2,008โฌ1,709
-79.52%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,683โฝ128.0K
$7,702โฌ6,555
-78.15%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,217โฝ92.6K
$4,367โฌ3,716
-72.13%
๐ต Salaries & Financials
Makhachkala
Lisbon
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$621โฝ47.3K
$1,638โฌ1,394
-62.06%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.33
3.81
197.38%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input โ minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Makhachkala: April 12, 2026
Last update for Lisbon: April 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
๐ A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $498 in Makhachkala and $1,604 in Lisbon. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
๐ฐLisbon pays 164% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
๐Dining out: $39 in Makhachkala vs $64 in Lisbon for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $168 vs $268 per month, with Makhachkala cheaper across the board.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated March 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Makhachkala vs Lisbon: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Makhachkala and Lisbon?
Makhachkala and Lisbon differ by about 134% in total monthly costs ($966 vs $2,258 including rent). Makhachkala 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, Lisbon earns 164% 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 Makhachkala and Lisbon?
Rent for a central apartment: $498 in Makhachkala versus $1,604 in Lisbon. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Supermarket bills run roughly 60% higher in Lisbon. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city is more expensive overall: Makhachkala or Lisbon?
All in, you'll spend $966 per month in Makhachkala versus $2,258 in Lisbon โ a 134% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is more doable on $1,500 per month?
At $966 in Makhachkala versus $2,258 in Lisbon, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Makhachkala but tight or insufficient in Lisbon. The gap between the two cities makes Makhachkala the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Makhachkala and Lisbon?
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 Makhachkala or Lisbon safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Makhachkala and Lisbon 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: Makhachkala or Lisbon?
Expats usually find Makhachkala gentler on the wallet โ expenses run 134% less than in Lisbon. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Makhachkala vs other spots: cost of living compared