πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $3,098 in Philipsburg versus $2,217 in Lisbon.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $5,842 in Philipsburg versus $3,245 in Lisbon.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $8,587 in Philipsburg versus $4,272 in Lisbon.
πLiving in Philipsburg is roughly 40% more expensive than Lisbon, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πBoth cities are pricier than the global median: Philipsburg132% above, Lisbon66% above.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Philipsburg
Lisbon
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$14.89ANGΒ 26.57
$15.78β¬13.59
-5.64%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$73.5ANGΒ 131
$62.5β¬53.8
17.68%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.97ANGΒ 14.23
$10.54β¬9.07
-24.38%
Cappuccino
$4.43ANGΒ 7.90
$2.77β¬2.38
59.93%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.97ANGΒ 5.30
$2.28β¬1.97
30.26%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.60ANGΒ 6.42
$1.55β¬1.33
132.26%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.03ANGΒ 5.41
$3.55β¬3.05
-14.65%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.11ANGΒ 9.12
$3.98β¬3.43
28.39%
π Groceries & Markets
Philipsburg
Lisbon
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$3.06ANGΒ 5.46
$1.08β¬0.93
183.33%
White Bread(500g)
$3.18ANGΒ 5.68
$1.77β¬1.52
79.66%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.99ANGΒ 5.33
$1.77β¬1.52
68.93%
Eggs
$6.58ANGΒ 11.74
$3.12β¬2.69
110.90%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$18.48ANGΒ 32.99
$13.34β¬11.49
38.53%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$16.83ANGΒ 30.04
$7.99β¬6.88
110.64%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$19.80ANGΒ 35.34
$15.92β¬13.70
24.37%
Apples(1kg)
$5.98ANGΒ 10.67
$2.28β¬1.97
162.28%
Banana(1kg)
$5.92ANGΒ 10.56
$1.64β¬1.42
260.98%
Oranges(1kg)
$9.35ANGΒ 16.68
$1.98β¬1.70
372.22%
Tomato(1kg)
$6.43ANGΒ 11.47
$2.45β¬2.11
162.45%
Potato(1kg)
$3.93ANGΒ 7.02
$1.77β¬1.52
122.03%
Onion(1kg)
$3.97ANGΒ 7.08
$1.97β¬1.69
101.52%
Lettuce(1 head)
$4.43ANGΒ 7.90
$1.97β¬1.70
124.87%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.97ANGΒ 3.52
$0.80β¬0.69
146.25%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$7.78ANGΒ 13.89
$6.54β¬5.63
18.96%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.91ANGΒ 19.47
$5.75β¬4.95
89.74%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$3.32ANGΒ 5.93
$1.32β¬1.13
151.52%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.87ANGΒ 5.11
$2.99β¬2.57
-4.01%
π Getting Around
Philipsburg
Lisbon
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.47ANGΒ 2.62
$2.34β¬2.01
-37.18%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$45.85β¬39.48
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$14.94ANGΒ 26.67
$4.26β¬3.66
250.70%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$4.85ANGΒ 8.66
$0.84β¬0.73
477.38%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
-
$18.86β¬16.24
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.44ANGΒ 2.56
$2.07β¬1.78
-30.43%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$35.2Kβ¬30.3K
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$38.6Kβ¬33.2K
-
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Philipsburg
Lisbon
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$222ANGΒ 397
$151β¬130
47.01%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$32.97ANGΒ 58.9
$20.91β¬18.00
57.68%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$69.2ANGΒ 123
$39.54β¬34.05
74.89%
π Sport & Entertainment
Philipsburg
Lisbon
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$63.3ANGΒ 113
$48.39β¬41.67
30.73%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$18.61β¬16.02
-
Cinema Ticket
$12.75ANGΒ 22.76
$9.04β¬7.79
41.04%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Philipsburg
Lisbon
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$371ANGΒ 662
$610β¬525
-39.24%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$11.1KANGΒ 19.9K
$16.3Kβ¬14.0K
-31.49%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Philipsburg
Lisbon
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
-
$101β¬87.2
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$40.58β¬34.94
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
-
$93.0β¬80.1
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$119β¬102
-
π Accommodation & Living
Philipsburg
Lisbon
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,970ANGΒ 3,517
$1,603β¬1,380
22.95%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,875ANGΒ 3,347
$1,239β¬1,067
51.35%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$5,726ANGΒ 10.2K
$3,019β¬2,599
89.67%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$5,589ANGΒ 9,976
$2,061β¬1,775
171.13%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$7,981β¬6,872
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$4,533β¬3,903
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Philipsburg
Lisbon
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,104ANGΒ 1,970
$1,628β¬1,402
-32.20%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.75
3.81
50.92%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Philipsburg: June 16, 2026
Last update for Lisbon: June 15, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,970 in Philipsburg and $1,603 in Lisbon. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Lisbon pays 47% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
πDining out: $74.0 in Philipsburg vs $62.0 in Lisbon for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $540 vs $268 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 Lisbon?
Philipsburg and Lisbon differ by about 40% in total monthly costs ($3,098 vs $2,217 including rent). Lisbon is meaningfully more affordable β a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, Lisbon earns 47% 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 Philipsburg and Lisbon?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,970 in Philipsburg versus $1,603 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 101% higher in Philipsburg. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city is more expensive overall: Philipsburg or Lisbon?
All in, you'll spend $3,098 per month in Philipsburg versus $2,217 in Lisbon β a 40% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is more doable on $3,000 per month?
At $2,217 in Lisbon versus $3,098 in Philipsburg, a $3,000 budget is realistic in Lisbon but tight or insufficient in Philipsburg. The gap between the two cities makes Lisbon the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
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 β 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 β expenses run 40% 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