🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $681 in Pekanbaru versus $2,291 in Lisbon.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $970 in Pekanbaru versus $3,322 in Lisbon.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,258 in Pekanbaru versus $4,354 in Lisbon.
🌍Living in Pekanbaru costs roughly 70% less than in Lisbon, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Pekanbaru is 49% below, Lisbon is 71% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Pekanbaru
Lisbon
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.56Rp 28.0K
$16.19€14.17
-90.36%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$8.68Rp 155.6K
$63.3€55.4
-86.29%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$2.49Rp 44.7K
$10.32€9.03
-75.87%
Cappuccino
$1.42Rp 25.5K
$2.83€2.48
-49.82%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.47Rp 8,369
$2.29€2.00
-79.48%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.26Rp 4,666
$1.58€1.38
-83.54%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.14Rp 38.4K
$3.40€2.98
-37.06%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.43Rp 61.5K
$4.03€3.52
-14.89%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Pekanbaru
Lisbon
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.34Rp 24.1K
$1.09€0.95
22.94%
White Bread(500g)
$1.20Rp 21.5K
$1.75€1.53
-31.43%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.02Rp 18.4K
$1.76€1.54
-42.05%
Eggs
$1.78Rp 31.9K
$3.17€2.77
-43.85%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$16.88Rp 302.8K
$13.19€11.54
27.98%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.61Rp 46.9K
$7.97€6.97
-67.25%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.40Rp 186.6K
$15.53€13.59
-33.03%
Apples(1kg)
$2.96Rp 53.0K
$2.37€2.07
24.89%
Banana(1kg)
$1.67Rp 30.0K
$1.71€1.49
-2.34%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.01Rp 36.1K
$2.01€1.76
-
Tomato(1kg)
$0.89Rp 15.9K
$2.43€2.13
-63.37%
Potato(1kg)
$1.00Rp 17.9K
$1.76€1.54
-43.18%
Onion(1kg)
$1.61Rp 28.8K
$2.03€1.78
-20.69%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.58Rp 28.3K
$1.92€1.68
-17.71%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.41Rp 7,385
$0.85€0.74
-51.76%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.30Rp 41.2K
$6.58€5.76
-65.05%
Wine(Bottle)
$19.82Rp 355.6K
$5.58€4.88
255.20%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.74Rp 49.2K
$1.33€1.17
106.02%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.87Rp 69.5K
$2.97€2.60
30.30%
🚌 Getting Around
Pekanbaru
Lisbon
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.30Rp 5,301
$2.28€1.99
-86.84%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$9.33Rp 167.4K
$45.79€40.06
-79.62%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.89Rp 15.9K
$4.23€3.70
-78.96%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.40Rp 7,206
$0.81€0.71
-50.62%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.18Rp 39.1K
$18.44€16.13
-88.18%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.77Rp 13.8K
$2.08€1.82
-62.98%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$23.2KRp 415.6M
$34.7K€30.3K
-33.18%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.5KRp 456.6M
$39.2K€34.3K
-34.99%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Pekanbaru
Lisbon
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$70.3Rp 1.3M
$148€130
-52.53%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$6.58Rp 118.0K
$20.46€17.90
-67.84%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$27.97Rp 501.7K
$39.56€34.61
-29.30%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Pekanbaru
Lisbon
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$23.15Rp 415.3K
$47.99€41.99
-51.76%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$12.41Rp 222.6K
$18.60€16.27
-33.28%
Cinema Ticket
$3.21Rp 57.5K
$9.22€8.07
-65.18%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Pekanbaru
Lisbon
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$174Rp 3.1M
$616€539
-71.72%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$3,096Rp 55.5M
$16.4K€14.4K
-81.17%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Pekanbaru
Lisbon
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$34.18Rp 613.1K
$103€89.9
-66.72%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$36.35Rp 652.1K
$41.74€36.52
-12.91%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$65.7Rp 1.2M
$94.8€82.9
-30.64%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$75.9Rp 1.4M
$122€107
-37.82%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Pekanbaru
Lisbon
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$257Rp 4.6M
$1,633€1,428
-84.28%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$122Rp 2.2M
$1,232€1,078
-90.12%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$930Rp 16.7M
$3,098€2,711
-69.99%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$151Rp 2.7M
$2,031€1,777
-92.58%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,135Rp 20.4M
$7,831€6,851
-85.51%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$699Rp 12.5M
$4,389€3,840
-84.08%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Pekanbaru
Lisbon
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$181Rp 3.2M
$1,607€1,406
-88.74%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
9.15
3.81
140.16%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Pekanbaru: July 11, 2026
Last update for Lisbon: July 14, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $257 in Pekanbaru and $1,633 in Lisbon. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Lisbon pays 788% 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: $9.00 in Pekanbaru vs $63.0 in Lisbon for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $247 vs $267 per month, with Pekanbaru 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
Pekanbaru vs Lisbon: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Pekanbaru and in Lisbon?
Pekanbaru and Lisbon differ by about 236% in total monthly costs ($681 vs $2,291 including rent). Pekanbaru 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 788% 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 Pekanbaru and in Lisbon?
Rent for a central apartment: $257 in Pekanbaru versus $1,633 in Lisbon. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Pekanbaru and Lisbon?
Childcare runs $174 in Pekanbaru versus $616 in Lisbon. 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 8% higher in Lisbon. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city is more doable on $1,500 per month?
At $681 in Pekanbaru versus $2,291 in Lisbon, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Pekanbaru but tight or insufficient in Lisbon. The gap between the two cities makes Pekanbaru the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Pekanbaru 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 Pekanbaru or Lisbon safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Pekanbaru 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: Pekanbaru or Lisbon?
Expats usually find Pekanbaru gentler on the wallet – expenses run 236% less than in Lisbon. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.