😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $3,160 in Philipsburg versus $2,280 in Lisbon.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $5,809 in Philipsburg versus $3,294 in Lisbon.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $8,458 in Philipsburg versus $4,307 in Lisbon.
🌍Living in Philipsburg is roughly 39% more expensive than in Lisbon, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Philipsburg137% above, Lisbon71% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Philipsburg
Lisbon
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$15.11ANG 26.98
$15.75€13.64
-4.06%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$76.0ANG 136
$63.5€55.0
19.74%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.22ANG 14.68
$10.45€9.05
-21.34%
Cappuccino
$4.25ANG 7.58
$2.91€2.52
46.05%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.93ANG 5.22
$2.29€1.98
27.95%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.72ANG 6.64
$1.50€1.30
148.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.97ANG 5.30
$3.56€3.09
-16.57%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.97ANG 8.88
$3.96€3.43
25.51%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Philipsburg
Lisbon
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.93ANG 5.23
$1.08€0.94
171.30%
White Bread(500g)
$3.19ANG 5.69
$1.76€1.53
81.25%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.94ANG 5.26
$1.70€1.47
72.94%
Eggs
$6.33ANG 11.31
$3.25€2.81
94.77%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$18.26ANG 32.59
$13.25€11.47
37.81%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$16.79ANG 29.98
$7.70€6.67
118.05%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$19.40ANG 34.62
$15.77€13.66
23.02%
Apples(1kg)
$5.90ANG 10.54
$2.28€1.97
158.77%
Banana(1kg)
$6.12ANG 10.92
$1.66€1.43
268.67%
Oranges(1kg)
$9.09ANG 16.22
$2.02€1.75
350.00%
Tomato(1kg)
$6.45ANG 11.52
$2.47€2.14
161.13%
Potato(1kg)
$4.08ANG 7.28
$1.79€1.55
127.93%
Onion(1kg)
$3.92ANG 7.00
$2.07€1.79
89.37%
Lettuce(1 head)
$4.46ANG 7.97
$1.97€1.71
126.40%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.96ANG 3.49
$0.83€0.72
136.14%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$8.18ANG 14.61
$6.55€5.68
24.89%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.85ANG 19.37
$5.57€4.82
94.79%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$3.36ANG 6.00
$1.33€1.15
152.63%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.81ANG 5.01
$3.01€2.60
-6.64%
🚌 Getting Around
Philipsburg
Lisbon
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.52ANG 2.71
$2.27€1.97
-33.04%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$46.35€40.14
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$15.15ANG 27.04
$4.23€3.66
258.16%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$4.86ANG 8.67
$0.85€0.73
471.76%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
-
$18.83€16.31
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.42ANG 2.53
$2.02€1.75
-29.70%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$35.0K€30.3K
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$39.6K€34.3K
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Philipsburg
Lisbon
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$229ANG 410
$148€128
55.13%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$32.15ANG 57.4
$20.52€17.77
56.68%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$71.3ANG 127
$39.52€34.23
80.44%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Philipsburg
Lisbon
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$61.5ANG 110
$48.17€41.72
27.74%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$18.39€15.92
-
Cinema Ticket
$13.24ANG 23.63
$9.10€7.88
45.49%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Philipsburg
Lisbon
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$380ANG 679
$615€532
-38.13%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$11.2KANG 19.9K
$16.3K€14.1K
-31.40%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Philipsburg
Lisbon
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
-
$102€88.0
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$42.09€36.45
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
-
$92.3€79.9
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$122€106
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Philipsburg
Lisbon
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,931ANG 3,447
$1,612€1,396
19.83%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,876ANG 3,348
$1,254€1,086
49.61%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$5,653ANG 10.1K
$3,069€2,658
84.18%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$5,752ANG 10.3K
$2,037€1,764
182.42%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$7,751€6,712
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$4,286€3,712
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Philipsburg
Lisbon
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,115ANG 1,991
$1,602€1,387
-30.37%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.75
3.81
50.92%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Philipsburg: July 27, 2026
Last update for Lisbon: July 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,931 in Philipsburg and $1,612 in Lisbon. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Lisbon pays 44% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $76.0 in Philipsburg vs $63.0 in Lisbon for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $536 vs $267 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 39% in total monthly costs ($3,160 vs $2,280 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 44% 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: $1,931 in Philipsburg versus $1,612 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 $3,160 per month in Philipsburg versus $2,280 in Lisbon – a 39% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
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 39% 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