πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,069 in Port Louis versus $2,243 in Lisbon.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,686 in Port Louis versus $3,315 in Lisbon.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,303 in Port Louis versus $4,387 in Lisbon.
πLiving in Port Louis costs roughly 52% less than in Lisbon, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πThe two cities straddle the global median: Port Louis is 20% below, Lisbon is 67% above.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Port Louis
Lisbon
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.56MURΒ 305
$15.73β¬13.42
-58.30%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$44.77MURΒ 2,082
$63.2β¬53.9
-29.12%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.07MURΒ 329
$10.32β¬8.80
-31.49%
Cappuccino
$2.56MURΒ 119
$2.81β¬2.40
-8.90%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.03MURΒ 48.12
$2.33β¬1.99
-55.79%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.59MURΒ 27.47
$1.51β¬1.29
-60.93%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.24MURΒ 104
$3.37β¬2.87
-33.53%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.28MURΒ 152
$3.91β¬3.34
-16.11%
π Groceries & Markets
Port Louis
Lisbon
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.62MURΒ 75.2
$1.08β¬0.92
50.00%
White Bread(500g)
$0.66MURΒ 30.93
$1.75β¬1.49
-62.29%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.31MURΒ 61.1
$1.75β¬1.50
-25.14%
Eggs
$2.30MURΒ 107
$3.10β¬2.64
-25.81%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$11.99MURΒ 558
$13.28β¬11.33
-9.71%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.27MURΒ 291
$7.85β¬6.70
-20.13%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.43MURΒ 578
$16.05β¬13.69
-22.55%
Apples(1kg)
$1.99MURΒ 92.4
$2.39β¬2.04
-16.74%
Banana(1kg)
$1.93MURΒ 89.6
$1.72β¬1.47
12.21%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.45MURΒ 67.4
$1.97β¬1.68
-26.40%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.64MURΒ 123
$2.55β¬2.17
3.53%
Potato(1kg)
$1.04MURΒ 48.15
$1.79β¬1.53
-41.90%
Onion(1kg)
$0.96MURΒ 44.43
$1.97β¬1.68
-51.27%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.83MURΒ 38.72
$1.96β¬1.67
-57.65%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.80MURΒ 36.99
$0.84β¬0.71
-4.76%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.76MURΒ 314
$6.82β¬5.82
-0.88%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.45MURΒ 393
$5.85β¬4.99
44.44%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.81MURΒ 84.2
$1.38β¬1.18
31.16%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.22MURΒ 103
$2.92β¬2.49
-23.97%
π Getting Around
Port Louis
Lisbon
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.02MURΒ 47.28
$2.29β¬1.95
-55.46%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$22.37MURΒ 1,041
$46.88β¬39.99
-52.28%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.29MURΒ 199
$4.12β¬3.51
4.13%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.68MURΒ 125
$0.81β¬0.69
230.86%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$19.88MURΒ 925
$18.94β¬16.16
4.96%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.39MURΒ 64.6
$2.09β¬1.78
-33.49%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.1KMURΒ 1.6M
$35.1Kβ¬30.0K
-0.02%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$28.3KMURΒ 1.3M
$39.7Kβ¬33.9K
-28.78%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Port Louis
Lisbon
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$48.52MURΒ 2,257
$150β¬128
-67.56%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$18.34MURΒ 853
$20.49β¬17.48
-10.49%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$33.28MURΒ 1,548
$39.15β¬33.40
-14.99%
π Sport & Entertainment
Port Louis
Lisbon
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$24.29MURΒ 1,130
$49.65β¬42.35
-51.08%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$4.14MURΒ 193
$18.47β¬15.76
-77.59%
Cinema Ticket
$5.96MURΒ 277
$9.20β¬7.84
-35.22%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Port Louis
Lisbon
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$156MURΒ 7,251
$624β¬533
-75.03%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$4,025MURΒ 187.2K
$15.9Kβ¬13.6K
-74.70%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Port Louis
Lisbon
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$86.5MURΒ 4,022
$102β¬87.2
-15.35%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$80.2MURΒ 3,729
$40.88β¬34.87
96.11%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$130MURΒ 6,054
$95.7β¬81.6
36.03%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$95.6MURΒ 4,447
$121β¬103
-21.04%
π Accommodation & Living
Port Louis
Lisbon
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$459MURΒ 21.4K
$1,653β¬1,410
-72.22%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$348MURΒ 16.2K
$1,233β¬1,051
-71.78%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$800MURΒ 37.2K
$3,043β¬2,596
-73.73%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$630MURΒ 29.3K
$2,059β¬1,756
-69.41%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,237MURΒ 197.1K
$7,879β¬6,720
-46.22%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,064MURΒ 49.5K
$4,303β¬3,671
-75.27%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Port Louis
Lisbon
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$660MURΒ 30.7K
$1,566β¬1,336
-57.89%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.67
3.81
75.07%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Port Louis: April 19, 2026
Last update for Lisbon: April 21, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $459 in Port Louis and $1,653 in Lisbon. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Lisbon pays 137% 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: $45 in Port Louis vs $63 in Lisbon for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $231 vs $270 per month, with Port Louis 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
Port Louis vs Lisbon: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Port Louis and Lisbon?
Port Louis and Lisbon differ by about 110% in total monthly costs ($1,069 vs $2,243 including rent). Port Louis 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 137% 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 Port Louis and Lisbon?
Rent for a central apartment: $459 in Port Louis 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 Port Louis and Lisbon?
Childcare runs $156 in Port Louis 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 17% 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 $1,069 in Port Louis versus $2,243 in Lisbon, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Port Louis but tight or insufficient in Lisbon. The gap between the two cities makes Port Louis the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Port Louis 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 Port Louis or Lisbon safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Port Louis 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: Port Louis or Lisbon?
Expats usually find Port Louis gentler on the wallet β expenses run 110% less than in Lisbon. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Port Louis vs other spots: cost of living compared