πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $996 in Rostov-on-Don versus $2,210 in Lisbon.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,555 in Rostov-on-Don versus $3,311 in Lisbon.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,113 in Rostov-on-Don versus $4,411 in Lisbon.
πLiving in Rostov-on-Don costs roughly 55% less than in Lisbon, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πThe two cities straddle the global median: Rostov-on-Don is 26% below, Lisbon is 65% above.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Rostov-on-Don
Lisbon
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.24β½829
$15.91β¬13.70
-29.35%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$38.44β½2,836
$64.8β¬55.8
-40.65%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.99β½369
$10.51β¬9.05
-52.52%
Cappuccino
$2.51β½186
$2.87β¬2.47
-12.54%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.20β½88.8
$2.24β¬1.93
-46.43%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.70β½51.5
$1.50β¬1.30
-53.33%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.24β½91.3
$3.49β¬3.01
-64.47%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.28β½168
$3.88β¬3.34
-41.24%
π Groceries & Markets
Rostov-on-Don
Lisbon
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.02β½75.4
$1.14β¬0.98
-10.53%
White Bread(500g)
$0.55β½40.41
$1.75β¬1.51
-68.57%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.15β½84.9
$1.76β¬1.51
-34.66%
Eggs
$1.57β½116
$3.22β¬2.77
-51.24%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.12β½599
$13.49β¬11.62
-39.81%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.77β½352
$7.91β¬6.81
-39.70%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.38β½545
$15.87β¬13.67
-53.50%
Apples(1kg)
$1.26β½93.2
$2.31β¬1.99
-45.45%
Banana(1kg)
$1.65β½121
$1.70β¬1.46
-2.94%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.46β½108
$2.01β¬1.73
-27.36%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.41β½178
$2.46β¬2.12
-2.03%
Potato(1kg)
$0.72β½53.0
$1.84β¬1.59
-60.87%
Onion(1kg)
$0.56β½41.22
$2.00β¬1.72
-72.00%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.19β½87.7
$1.93β¬1.66
-38.34%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.68β½50.0
$0.79β¬0.68
-13.92%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.32β½245
$6.61β¬5.69
-49.77%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.93β½586
$5.72β¬4.93
38.64%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.91β½67.5
$1.37β¬1.18
-33.58%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.11β½156
$2.97β¬2.56
-28.96%
π Getting Around
Rostov-on-Don
Lisbon
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.51β½37.82
$2.37β¬2.04
-78.48%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$18.86β½1,392
$45.56β¬39.23
-58.60%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.94β½143
$4.29β¬3.69
-54.78%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.35β½26.16
$0.82β¬0.70
-57.32%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$6.36β½469
$18.30β¬15.76
-65.25%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.78β½57.8
$2.06β¬1.78
-62.14%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.3Kβ½1.9M
$34.3Kβ¬29.5K
-26.19%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$39.9Kβ½2.9M
$39.3Kβ¬33.8K
1.48%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Rostov-on-Don
Lisbon
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$96.2β½7,100
$148β¬127
-34.93%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$7.01β½517
$20.52β¬17.67
-65.84%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$8.06β½595
$39.61β¬34.11
-79.65%
π Sport & Entertainment
Rostov-on-Don
Lisbon
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$40.50β½2,989
$47.85β¬41.20
-15.36%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$25.14β½1,855
$18.92β¬16.29
32.88%
Cinema Ticket
$4.94β½365
$9.18β¬7.91
-46.19%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Rostov-on-Don
Lisbon
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$288β½21.2K
$614β¬529
-53.17%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$8,215β½606.2K
$16.0Kβ¬13.8K
-48.81%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Rostov-on-Don
Lisbon
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$48.54β½3,582
$105β¬90.1
-53.62%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$62.3β½4,599
$42.06β¬36.22
48.17%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$113β½8,322
$94.0β¬80.9
20.03%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$102β½7,504
$120β¬103
-15.02%
π Accommodation & Living
Rostov-on-Don
Lisbon
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$490β½36.1K
$1,628β¬1,402
-69.91%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$351β½25.9K
$1,255β¬1,081
-72.07%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$937β½69.1K
$3,030β¬2,609
-69.08%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$576β½42.5K
$2,020β¬1,740
-71.48%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,807β½207.1K
$7,800β¬6,716
-64.01%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,738β½128.3K
$4,273β¬3,679
-59.32%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Rostov-on-Don
Lisbon
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$966β½71.3K
$1,603β¬1,381
-39.75%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
16.33
3.81
328.61%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Rostov-on-Don: June 1, 2026
Last update for Lisbon: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $490 in Rostov-on-Don and $1,628 in Lisbon. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Lisbon pays 66% 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: $38.00 in Rostov-on-Don vs $65.0 in Lisbon for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $172 vs $269 per month, with Rostov-on-Don cheaper across the board.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated March 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Rostov-on-Don vs Lisbon: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Rostov-on-Don and Lisbon?
Rostov-on-Don and Lisbon differ by about 122% in total monthly costs ($996 vs $2,210 including rent). Rostov-on-Don 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 66% 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 Rostov-on-Don and Lisbon?
Rent for a central apartment: $490 in Rostov-on-Don versus $1,628 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 Rostov-on-Don and Lisbon?
Childcare runs $288 in Rostov-on-Don versus $614 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 57% 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 $996 in Rostov-on-Don versus $2,210 in Lisbon, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Rostov-on-Don but tight or insufficient in Lisbon. The gap between the two cities makes Rostov-on-Don the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Rostov-on-Don 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 Rostov-on-Don or Lisbon safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Rostov-on-Don 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: Rostov-on-Don or Lisbon?
Expats usually find Rostov-on-Don 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.
Rostov-on-Don vs other spots: cost of living compared