Cost of Living Comparison Between Negombo and Lisbon Cost of Living Comparison Between Negombo and Lisbon

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $413 in Negombo versus $2,210 in Lisbon.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $687 in Negombo versus $3,311 in Lisbon.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $962 in Negombo versus $4,411 in Lisbon.

Living in Negombo costs roughly 81% less than in Lisbon, driven mainly by Eating Out.

The two cities straddle the global median: Negombo is 69% below, Lisbon is 65% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Negombo
Lisbon
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.96 LKR 1,312
$15.91 €13.69
-75.11%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$18.05 LKR 5,986
$64.8 €55.7
-72.13%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$8.33 LKR 2,762
$10.51 €9.04
-20.74%
Cappuccino
$1.39 LKR 461
$2.87 €2.47
-51.57%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73 LKR 243
$2.24 €1.93
-67.41%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.38 LKR 125
$1.50 €1.29
-74.67%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.98 LKR 657
$3.49 €3.00
-43.27%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.37 LKR 1,118
$3.88 €3.34
-13.14%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Negombo
Lisbon
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.54 LKR 509
$1.14 €0.98
35.09%
White Bread (500g)
$0.49 LKR 161
$1.75 €1.51
-72.00%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.81 LKR 267
$1.76 €1.51
-53.98%
Eggs
$2.19 LKR 726
$3.22 €2.77
-31.99%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$14.35 LKR 4,757
$13.49 €11.61
6.38%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.60 LKR 1,525
$7.91 €6.81
-41.85%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$5.64 LKR 1,871
$15.87 €13.65
-64.46%
Apples (1kg)
$1.97 LKR 653
$2.31 €1.99
-14.72%
Banana (1kg)
$0.77 LKR 254
$1.70 €1.46
-54.71%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.49 LKR 826
$2.01 €1.73
23.88%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.20 LKR 397
$2.46 €2.12
-51.22%
Potato (1kg)
$0.85 LKR 283
$1.84 €1.59
-53.80%
Onion (1kg)
$0.97 LKR 321
$2.00 €1.72
-51.50%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.97 LKR 323
$1.93 €1.66
-49.74%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.57 LKR 188
$0.79 €0.68
-27.85%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$8.90 LKR 2,952
$6.61 €5.68
34.64%
Wine (Bottle)
$12.93 LKR 4,286
$5.72 €4.92
126.05%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.07 LKR 687
$1.37 €1.17
51.09%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.97 LKR 986
$2.97 €2.56
-
🚌 Getting Around
Negombo
Lisbon
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.32 LKR 105
$2.37 €2.04
-86.50%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$45.56 €39.19
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.39 LKR 129
$4.29 €3.69
-90.91%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.33 LKR 109
$0.82 €0.70
-59.76%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$0.57 LKR 189
$18.30 €15.74
-96.89%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.26 LKR 418
$2.06 €1.78
-38.83%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.6K LKR 8.8M
$34.3K €29.5K
-22.51%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$35.4K LKR 11.7M
$39.3K €33.8K
-9.84%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Negombo
Lisbon
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$30.48 LKR 10.1K
$148 €127
-79.39%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.43 LKR 1,469
$20.52 €17.65
-78.41%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$14.87 LKR 4,932
$39.61 €34.08
-62.46%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Negombo
Lisbon
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$13.58 LKR 4,501
$47.85 €41.16
-71.62%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$10.12 LKR 3,354
$18.92 €16.28
-46.51%
Cinema Ticket
$2.48 LKR 823
$9.18 €7.90
-72.98%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Negombo
Lisbon
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$36.75 LKR 12.2K
$614 €528
-94.01%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$441 LKR 146.4K
$16.0K €13.8K
-97.25%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Negombo
Lisbon
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$19.50 LKR 6,466
$105 €90.0
-81.37%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$19.18 LKR 6,360
$42.06 €36.18
-54.40%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$48.26 LKR 16.0K
$94.0 €80.8
-48.64%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$26.40 LKR 8,752
$120 €103
-77.94%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Negombo
Lisbon
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
-
$1,628 €1,400
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
-
$1,255 €1,080
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
-
$3,030 €2,607
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
-
$2,020 €1,738
-
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
-
$7,800 €6,709
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
-
$4,273 €3,675
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Negombo
Lisbon
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$178 LKR 59.0K
$1,603 €1,379
-88.90%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
16.45
3.81
331.76%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Negombo: June 1, 2026

Last update for Lisbon: June 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Lisbon pays 801% 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: $18.00 in Negombo vs $65.0 in Lisbon for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $203 vs $269 per month, with Negombo 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
Negombo vs Lisbon: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Negombo and Lisbon?
Negombo and Lisbon differ by about 435% in total monthly costs ($413 vs $2,210 including rent). Negombo is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, Lisbon earns 801% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Supermarket bills run roughly 33% higher in Lisbon. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city is more expensive overall: Negombo or Lisbon?
All in, you'll spend $413 per month in Negombo versus $2,210 in Lisbon – a 435% 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 $413 in Negombo versus $2,210 in Lisbon, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Negombo but tight or insufficient in Lisbon. The gap between the two cities makes Negombo the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Negombo 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 Negombo or Lisbon safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Negombo 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: Negombo or Lisbon?
Expats usually find Negombo gentler on the wallet – expenses run 435% less than in Lisbon. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

Negombo vs other spots: cost of living compared

Similar cities