😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $3,125 in Philipsburg versus $2,296 in Lisbon.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $6,156 in Philipsburg versus $3,376 in Lisbon.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $9,187 in Philipsburg versus $4,457 in Lisbon.
🌍Living in Philipsburg is roughly 36% more expensive than in Lisbon, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Philipsburg128% above, Lisbon68% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Philipsburg
Lisbon
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$15.29ANG 27.30
$17.59€15.33
-13.08%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$70.4ANG 126
$62.9€54.8
11.92%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.31ANG 14.82
$11.58€10.10
-28.24%
Cappuccino
$4.23ANG 7.55
$3.10€2.70
36.45%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.82ANG 5.03
$2.49€2.17
13.25%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.94ANG 7.03
$1.74€1.52
126.44%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.96ANG 5.28
$3.48€3.03
-14.94%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$6.42ANG 11.47
$3.44€3.00
86.63%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Philipsburg
Lisbon
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.93ANG 5.23
$1.15€1.00
154.78%
White Bread(500g)
$2.64ANG 4.70
$1.91€1.66
38.22%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.51ANG 4.48
$1.50€1.31
67.33%
Eggs
$6.49ANG 11.59
$3.98€3.47
63.07%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$18.68ANG 33.34
$13.29€11.59
40.56%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$14.20ANG 25.34
$8.01€6.98
77.28%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$14.91ANG 26.62
$18.04€15.73
-17.35%
Apples(1kg)
$5.09ANG 9.09
$2.35€2.05
116.60%
Banana(1kg)
$5.07ANG 9.04
$1.75€1.53
189.71%
Oranges(1kg)
$8.83ANG 15.77
$1.85€1.62
377.30%
Tomato(1kg)
$7.65ANG 13.66
$2.55€2.22
200.00%
Potato(1kg)
$3.90ANG 6.96
$1.84€1.61
111.96%
Onion(1kg)
$4.11ANG 7.33
$2.10€1.83
95.71%
Lettuce(1 head)
$5.13ANG 9.15
$1.49€1.30
244.30%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.29ANG 2.31
$0.82€0.71
57.32%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$7.76ANG 13.86
$7.10€6.19
9.30%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.90ANG 19.45
$5.91€5.15
84.43%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$5.15ANG 9.19
$1.31€1.15
293.13%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.13€1.86
-
🚌 Getting Around
Philipsburg
Lisbon
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.29ANG 4.09
$2.36€2.05
-2.97%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$1.53ANG 2.74
$46.62€40.63
-96.72%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$14.82ANG 26.45
$4.08€3.55
263.24%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
-
$1.14€0.99
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
-
$17.09€14.90
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
-
$2.31€2.01
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$34.1K€29.7K
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$41.4K€36.1K
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Philipsburg
Lisbon
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$149ANG 265
$169€147
-11.90%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$32.43ANG 57.9
$19.33€16.85
67.77%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$65.6ANG 117
$33.51€29.21
95.88%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Philipsburg
Lisbon
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$62.0ANG 111
$48.84€42.57
27.03%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$19.43€16.94
-
Cinema Ticket
$10.88ANG 19.42
$9.57€8.34
13.69%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Philipsburg
Lisbon
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$250ANG 447
$696€607
-64.06%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$12.0KANG 21.5K
$17.4K€15.1K
-30.71%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Philipsburg
Lisbon
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
-
$105€91.8
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$47.75€41.62
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
-
$101€87.6
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$124€108
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Philipsburg
Lisbon
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,158ANG 3,852
$1,662€1,449
29.86%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,998ANG 3,566
$1,246€1,086
60.31%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$6,575ANG 11.7K
$2,965€2,584
121.78%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$6,605ANG 11.8K
$2,049€1,786
222.41%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$7,834€6,829
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$4,464€3,892
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Philipsburg
Lisbon
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,128ANG 2,014
$1,632€1,422
-30.85%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5
3.78
32.28%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Philipsburg: September 15, 2026
Last update for Lisbon: September 12, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $2,158 in Philipsburg and $1,662 in Lisbon. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Lisbon pays 45% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $70.0 in Philipsburg vs $63.0 in Lisbon for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $496 vs $277 per month, with Lisbon 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
Philipsburg vs Lisbon: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Philipsburg and in Lisbon?
Philipsburg and Lisbon differ by about 36% in total monthly costs ($3,125 vs $2,296 including rent). Lisbon 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 45% 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 Philipsburg and in Lisbon?
Rent for a central apartment: $2,158 in Philipsburg versus $1,662 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 Philipsburg and Lisbon?
Childcare runs $250 in Philipsburg versus $696 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 79% higher in Philipsburg. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city is feasible on a $3,000 budget?
Both cities are expensive relative to $3,000. Lisbon is the more realistic option, but even there you'll need to be disciplined with housing, food, and fun money.
How does quality of life compare between Philipsburg 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 Philipsburg or Lisbon safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Philipsburg 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: Philipsburg or Lisbon?
Expats usually find Lisbon gentler on the wallet – expenses run 36% less than in Philipsburg. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Philipsburg vs other spots: cost of living compared