πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,010 in Pogradec versus $2,243 in Lisbon.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,509 in Pogradec versus $3,315 in Lisbon.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,009 in Pogradec versus $4,387 in Lisbon.
πLiving in Pogradec costs roughly 55% less than in Lisbon, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πThe two cities straddle the global median: Pogradec is 25% below, Lisbon is 67% above.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Pogradec
Lisbon
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.17ALLΒ 665
$15.73β¬13.42
-48.06%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$36.98ALLΒ 3,008
$63.2β¬53.9
-41.45%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.19ALLΒ 585
$10.32β¬8.80
-30.33%
Cappuccino
$0.92ALLΒ 74.8
$2.81β¬2.40
-67.26%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.63ALLΒ 133
$2.33β¬1.99
-30.04%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73ALLΒ 59.6
$1.51β¬1.29
-51.66%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.45ALLΒ 118
$3.37β¬2.87
-56.97%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.52ALLΒ 205
$3.91β¬3.34
-35.55%
π Groceries & Markets
Pogradec
Lisbon
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.03ALLΒ 165
$1.08β¬0.92
87.96%
White Bread(500g)
$0.89ALLΒ 72.6
$1.75β¬1.49
-49.14%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.95ALLΒ 159
$1.75β¬1.50
11.43%
Eggs
$2.18ALLΒ 177
$3.10β¬2.64
-29.68%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.72ALLΒ 628
$13.28β¬11.33
-41.87%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.00ALLΒ 325
$7.85β¬6.70
-49.04%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$13.16ALLΒ 1,071
$16.05β¬13.69
-18.01%
Apples(1kg)
$1.14ALLΒ 93.1
$2.39β¬2.04
-52.30%
Banana(1kg)
$2.37ALLΒ 193
$1.72β¬1.47
37.79%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.44ALLΒ 117
$1.97β¬1.68
-26.90%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.17ALLΒ 95.0
$2.55β¬2.17
-54.12%
Potato(1kg)
$0.91ALLΒ 74.2
$1.79β¬1.53
-49.16%
Onion(1kg)
$0.93ALLΒ 75.4
$1.97β¬1.68
-52.79%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.90ALLΒ 73.2
$1.96β¬1.67
-54.08%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.73ALLΒ 59.0
$0.84β¬0.71
-13.10%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.96ALLΒ 322
$6.82β¬5.82
-41.94%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.34ALLΒ 842
$5.85β¬4.99
76.75%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20ALLΒ 97.7
$1.38β¬1.18
-13.04%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.81ALLΒ 147
$2.92β¬2.49
-38.01%
π Getting Around
Pogradec
Lisbon
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.49ALLΒ 40.07
$2.29β¬1.95
-78.60%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$18.86ALLΒ 1,535
$46.88β¬39.99
-59.77%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.40ALLΒ 277
$4.12β¬3.51
-17.48%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.54ALLΒ 125
$0.81β¬0.69
90.12%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$17.31ALLΒ 1,408
$18.94β¬16.16
-8.61%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.21ALLΒ 180
$2.09β¬1.78
5.74%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.8KALLΒ 2.8M
$35.1Kβ¬30.0K
-0.80%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.7KALLΒ 2.1M
$39.7Kβ¬33.9K
-35.18%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Pogradec
Lisbon
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$66.8ALLΒ 5,430
$150β¬128
-55.37%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$17.58ALLΒ 1,430
$20.49β¬17.48
-14.20%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$15.87ALLΒ 1,291
$39.15β¬33.40
-59.46%
π Sport & Entertainment
Pogradec
Lisbon
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$55.2ALLΒ 4,486
$49.65β¬42.35
11.08%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$25.49ALLΒ 2,074
$18.47β¬15.76
38.01%
Cinema Ticket
$8.40ALLΒ 684
$9.20β¬7.84
-8.70%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Pogradec
Lisbon
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$94.7ALLΒ 7,706
$624β¬533
-84.83%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
-
$15.9Kβ¬13.6K
-
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Pogradec
Lisbon
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$47.91ALLΒ 3,897
$102β¬87.2
-53.11%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$53.9ALLΒ 4,388
$40.88β¬34.87
31.95%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$96.0ALLΒ 7,807
$95.7β¬81.6
0.29%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$143ALLΒ 11.6K
$121β¬103
17.81%
π Accommodation & Living
Pogradec
Lisbon
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$458ALLΒ 37.2K
$1,653β¬1,410
-72.31%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$340ALLΒ 27.6K
$1,233β¬1,051
-72.45%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$621ALLΒ 50.5K
$3,043β¬2,596
-79.61%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$440ALLΒ 35.8K
$2,059β¬1,756
-78.65%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,580ALLΒ 128.6K
$7,879β¬6,720
-79.94%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,481ALLΒ 120.5K
$4,303β¬3,671
-65.59%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Pogradec
Lisbon
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$473ALLΒ 38.5K
$1,566β¬1,336
-69.79%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4
3.81
4.99%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Pogradec: April 20, 2026
Last update for Lisbon: April 21, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $458 in Pogradec and $1,653 in Lisbon. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Lisbon pays 231% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
πDining out: $37 in Pogradec vs $63 in Lisbon for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $207 vs $270 per month, with Pogradec 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
Pogradec vs Lisbon: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Pogradec and Lisbon?
Pogradec and Lisbon differ by about 122% in total monthly costs ($1,010 vs $2,243 including rent). Pogradec 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 231% 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 Pogradec and Lisbon?
Rent for a central apartment: $458 in Pogradec versus $1,653 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 Pogradec and Lisbon?
Childcare runs $94.7 in Pogradec versus $624 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 30% higher in Lisbon. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city is more doable on $1,000 per month?
At $1,010 in Pogradec versus $2,243 in Lisbon, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Pogradec but tight or insufficient in Lisbon. The gap between the two cities makes Pogradec the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Pogradec 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 Pogradec or Lisbon safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Pogradec 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: Pogradec or Lisbon?
Expats usually find Pogradec gentler on the wallet β expenses run 122% less than in Lisbon. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.