🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $684 in Makhachkala versus $2,316 in Lisbon.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,163 in Makhachkala versus $3,361 in Lisbon.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,641 in Makhachkala versus $4,405 in Lisbon.
🌍Living in Makhachkala costs roughly 70% less than in Lisbon, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Makhachkala is 50% below, Lisbon is 69% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Makhachkala
Lisbon
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.61₽997
$17.30€14.89
-32.89%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$34.70₽2,978
$63.3€54.4
-45.16%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.56₽392
$11.39€9.80
-59.96%
Cappuccino
$2.68₽230
$3.19€2.75
-15.99%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73₽62.7
$2.45€2.10
-70.20%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.32₽27.54
$1.76€1.52
-81.82%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$3.59€3.09
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.39€2.92
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Makhachkala
Lisbon
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.32₽113
$1.24€1.06
6.45%
White Bread(500g)
$0.48₽41.40
$1.98€1.71
-75.76%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.17₽100
$1.52€1.31
-23.03%
Eggs
$1.58₽135
$4.04€3.48
-60.89%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.36₽717
$13.54€11.65
-38.26%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.07₽521
$8.39€7.22
-27.65%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.82₽671
$18.25€15.70
-57.15%
Apples(1kg)
$1.21₽104
$2.29€1.97
-47.16%
Banana(1kg)
$1.79₽154
$1.74€1.50
2.87%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.14₽183
$1.86€1.60
15.05%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.96₽254
$2.63€2.26
12.55%
Potato(1kg)
$0.81₽69.8
$1.92€1.65
-57.81%
Onion(1kg)
$0.41₽35.33
$2.09€1.80
-80.38%
Lettuce(1 head)
-
$1.44€1.24
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.88₽75.5
$0.84€0.72
4.76%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.92₽250
$6.78€5.83
-56.93%
Wine(Bottle)
$3.50₽301
$5.71€4.91
-38.70%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.48₽41.40
$1.38€1.18
-65.22%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.22€1.91
-
🚌 Getting Around
Makhachkala
Lisbon
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.36₽30.49
$2.40€2.06
-85.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$46.78€40.25
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.29₽197
$4.17€3.59
-45.08%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
-
$1.14€0.98
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
-
$17.68€15.21
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.76₽65.4
$2.32€2.00
-67.24%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$32.0K₽2.7M
$35.3K€30.4K
-9.55%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$28.0K₽2.4M
$41.4K€35.7K
-32.54%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Makhachkala
Lisbon
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
-
$170€147
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
-
$19.34€16.64
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
-
$33.64€28.95
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Makhachkala
Lisbon
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$53.4₽4,584
$48.10€41.39
11.06%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$19.90€17.12
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.65₽399
$9.92€8.54
-53.13%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Makhachkala
Lisbon
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$208₽17.9K
$717€617
-71.00%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
-
$17.5K€15.0K
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Makhachkala
Lisbon
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
-
$105€90.2
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$46.95€40.40
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
-
$103€89.0
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$124€107
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Makhachkala
Lisbon
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$380₽32.6K
$1,677€1,443
-77.34%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$286₽24.5K
$1,271€1,094
-77.52%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$829₽71.2K
$2,985€2,568
-72.21%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$648₽55.6K
$1,992€1,715
-67.47%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,494₽128.2K
$7,826€6,734
-80.91%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,050₽90.1K
$4,658€4,008
-77.47%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Makhachkala
Lisbon
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$595₽51.0K
$1,583€1,362
-62.42%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
18
3.79
374.93%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Makhachkala: August 31, 2026
Last update for Lisbon: August 30, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $380 in Makhachkala and $1,677 in Lisbon. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Lisbon pays 166% 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: $35.00 in Makhachkala vs $63.0 in Lisbon for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $171 vs $283 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 in Lisbon?
Makhachkala and Lisbon differ by about 239% in total monthly costs ($684 vs $2,316 including rent). Makhachkala is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, salaries run 166% lower in Lisbon. 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 in Lisbon?
Rent for a central apartment: $380 in Makhachkala versus $1,677 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 65% 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 $684 per month in Makhachkala versus $2,316 in Lisbon – a 239% 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 $684 in Makhachkala versus $2,316 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 – 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 – expenses run 239% 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