🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $627 in Pontianak versus $2,268 in Lisbon.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $986 in Pontianak versus $3,348 in Lisbon.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,346 in Pontianak versus $4,429 in Lisbon.
🌍Living in Pontianak costs roughly 72% less than in Lisbon, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Pontianak is 55% below, Lisbon is 64% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Pontianak
Lisbon
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.68Rp 29.5K
$17.55€15.12
-90.43%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$14.10Rp 248.2K
$64.5€55.6
-78.14%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.31Rp 58.4K
$11.65€10.04
-71.59%
Cappuccino
$1.15Rp 20.3K
$3.26€2.81
-64.72%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.51Rp 9,010
$2.49€2.15
-79.52%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.25Rp 4,406
$1.67€1.44
-85.03%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.15Rp 55.4K
$3.47€2.99
-9.22%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.91Rp 51.3K
$3.58€3.08
-18.72%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Pontianak
Lisbon
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.18Rp 20.8K
$1.18€1.02
-
White Bread(500g)
$1.06Rp 18.7K
$1.95€1.68
-45.64%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.86Rp 15.2K
$1.56€1.35
-44.87%
Eggs
$1.43Rp 25.1K
$4.01€3.46
-64.34%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.94Rp 139.7K
$13.27€11.44
-40.17%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.74Rp 48.3K
$8.42€7.26
-67.46%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$6.61Rp 116.4K
$18.23€15.72
-63.74%
Apples(1kg)
$2.21Rp 39.0K
$2.32€2.00
-4.74%
Banana(1kg)
$1.32Rp 23.2K
$1.73€1.49
-23.70%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.70Rp 30.0K
$1.93€1.67
-11.92%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.17Rp 20.6K
$2.64€2.27
-55.68%
Potato(1kg)
$1.24Rp 21.9K
$1.90€1.64
-34.74%
Onion(1kg)
$2.10Rp 36.9K
$2.11€1.82
-0.47%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.85Rp 15.0K
$1.44€1.24
-40.97%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.41Rp 7,241
$0.80€0.69
-48.75%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.84Rp 50.0K
$7.01€6.04
-59.49%
Wine(Bottle)
$20.36Rp 358.4K
$5.92€5.11
243.92%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.93Rp 33.9K
$1.36€1.18
41.91%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.93Rp 51.6K
$2.15€1.85
36.28%
🚌 Getting Around
Pontianak
Lisbon
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.29Rp 5,174
$2.38€2.05
-87.82%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$46.22€39.85
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.46Rp 8,103
$4.19€3.61
-89.02%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.32Rp 5,605
$1.10€0.95
-70.91%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.94Rp 51.7K
$17.26€14.88
-82.97%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.77Rp 13.6K
$2.25€1.94
-65.78%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$20.3KRp 357.6M
$34.5K€29.7K
-41.07%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$30.0KRp 527.7M
$41.6K€35.9K
-27.98%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Pontianak
Lisbon
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$67.7Rp 1.2M
$171€147
-60.40%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$5.67Rp 99.9K
$19.01€16.38
-70.17%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$22.67Rp 399.1K
$34.28€29.55
-33.87%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Pontianak
Lisbon
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$20.51Rp 361.2K
$49.65€42.80
-58.69%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$8.37Rp 147.4K
$19.51€16.81
-57.10%
Cinema Ticket
$2.76Rp 48.5K
$10.10€8.71
-72.67%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Pontianak
Lisbon
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$97.7Rp 1.7M
$699€603
-86.03%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,709Rp 118.1M
$17.8K€15.3K
-62.24%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Pontianak
Lisbon
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$43.49Rp 765.7K
$105€90.2
-58.42%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$29.60Rp 521.1K
$47.97€41.35
-38.29%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$79.4Rp 1.4M
$102€87.8
-22.11%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$76.3Rp 1.3M
$128€111
-40.50%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Pontianak
Lisbon
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$237Rp 4.2M
$1,661€1,432
-85.75%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$158Rp 2.8M
$1,228€1,059
-87.10%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$542Rp 9.5M
$2,915€2,513
-81.41%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$369Rp 6.5M
$2,023€1,744
-81.76%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,189Rp 20.9M
$8,129€7,007
-85.37%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$719Rp 12.7M
$4,635€3,996
-84.49%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Pontianak
Lisbon
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$274Rp 4.8M
$1,619€1,396
-83.10%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
10
3.78
164.55%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Pontianak: September 7, 2026
Last update for Lisbon: September 5, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $237 in Pontianak and $1,661 in Lisbon. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Lisbon pays 492% 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: $14.00 in Pontianak vs $64.0 in Lisbon for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $193 vs $281 per month, with Pontianak 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
Pontianak vs Lisbon: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Pontianak and in Lisbon?
Pontianak and Lisbon differ by about 262% in total monthly costs ($627 vs $2,268 including rent). Pontianak 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 492% 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 Pontianak and in Lisbon?
Rent for a central apartment: $237 in Pontianak versus $1,661 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 46% higher in Lisbon. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city is more expensive overall: Pontianak or Lisbon?
All in, you'll spend $627 per month in Pontianak versus $2,268 in Lisbon – a 262% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is more doable on $1,500 per month?
At $627 in Pontianak versus $2,268 in Lisbon, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Pontianak but tight or insufficient in Lisbon. The gap between the two cities makes Pontianak the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Pontianak 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 Pontianak or Lisbon safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Pontianak 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: Pontianak or Lisbon?
Expats usually find Pontianak gentler on the wallet – expenses run 262% less than in Lisbon. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.