Cost of Living Comparison Between Side and LisbonCost of Living Comparison Between Side and Lisbon
Monthly Cost of Living
πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,074 in Side versus $2,263 in Lisbon.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,658 in Side versus $3,315 in Lisbon.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,242 in Side versus $4,368 in Lisbon.
πLiving in Side costs roughly 53% less than in Lisbon, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πThe two cities straddle the global median: Side is 20% below, Lisbon is 68% above.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Side
Lisbon
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.82βΊ361
$15.94β¬13.82
-50.94%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$23.27βΊ1,073
$63.4β¬54.9
-63.28%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.17βΊ284
$10.38β¬9.00
-40.56%
Cappuccino
$2.75βΊ127
$2.79β¬2.42
-1.43%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.76βΊ80.9
$2.34β¬2.03
-24.79%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.47βΊ21.65
$1.57β¬1.36
-70.06%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.08βΊ142
$3.43β¬2.97
-10.20%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.11βΊ189
$3.91β¬3.39
5.12%
π Groceries & Markets
Side
Lisbon
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.89βΊ41.21
$1.08β¬0.93
-17.59%
White Bread(500g)
$0.93βΊ42.68
$1.77β¬1.53
-47.46%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.93βΊ42.84
$1.71β¬1.48
-45.61%
Eggs
$1.77βΊ81.4
$3.15β¬2.73
-43.81%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.07βΊ372
$13.68β¬11.86
-41.01%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.34βΊ246
$8.01β¬6.94
-33.33%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$16.56βΊ763
$15.52β¬13.45
6.70%
Apples(1kg)
$1.00βΊ46.16
$2.29β¬1.99
-56.33%
Banana(1kg)
$2.07βΊ95.3
$1.64β¬1.42
26.22%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.73βΊ33.70
$1.94β¬1.68
-62.37%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.16βΊ53.5
$2.51β¬2.18
-53.78%
Potato(1kg)
$0.55βΊ25.51
$1.79β¬1.55
-69.27%
Onion(1kg)
$0.42βΊ19.44
$2.01β¬1.74
-79.10%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.26βΊ58.3
$1.97β¬1.70
-36.04%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.34βΊ15.88
$0.84β¬0.73
-59.52%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.15βΊ99.1
$6.79β¬5.88
-68.34%
Wine(Bottle)
$13.15βΊ606
$5.67β¬4.92
131.92%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.71βΊ79.0
$1.39β¬1.20
23.02%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.06βΊ94.8
$3.02β¬2.61
-31.79%
π Getting Around
Side
Lisbon
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.62βΊ28.76
$2.27β¬1.97
-72.69%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$30.78βΊ1,419
$45.44β¬39.38
-32.26%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.05βΊ48.39
$4.29β¬3.72
-75.52%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.66βΊ30.33
$0.85β¬0.74
-22.35%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.80βΊ359
$18.28β¬15.84
-57.33%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.17βΊ54.1
$1.99β¬1.72
-41.21%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$40.9KβΊ1.9M
$35.0Kβ¬30.4K
16.74%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$41.4KβΊ1.9M
$39.5Kβ¬34.3K
4.81%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Side
Lisbon
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$48.53βΊ2,237
$146β¬127
-66.80%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$7.95βΊ366
$20.45β¬17.72
-61.12%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$6.34βΊ292
$38.98β¬33.78
-83.74%
π Sport & Entertainment
Side
Lisbon
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$43.32βΊ1,997
$48.98β¬42.46
-11.56%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$18.83β¬16.32
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.44βΊ297
$9.52β¬8.25
-32.35%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Side
Lisbon
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$607βΊ28.0K
$608β¬527
-0.24%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$8,932βΊ411.8K
$16.5Kβ¬14.3K
-45.90%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Side
Lisbon
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$76.1βΊ3,509
$104β¬90.0
-26.74%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.64βΊ2,058
$42.12β¬36.50
5.98%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$158βΊ7,291
$92.2β¬79.9
71.49%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$113βΊ5,189
$120β¬104
-6.23%
π Accommodation & Living
Side
Lisbon
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$522βΊ24.0K
$1,621β¬1,405
-67.83%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$400βΊ18.5K
$1,268β¬1,099
-68.41%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$874βΊ40.3K
$3,048β¬2,642
-71.33%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$697βΊ32.1K
$2,009β¬1,741
-65.31%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,388βΊ64.0K
$7,663β¬6,641
-81.89%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,040βΊ47.9K
$4,329β¬3,752
-75.98%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Side
Lisbon
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$1,585β¬1,374
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
20
3.81
424.93%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Side: June 8, 2026
Last update for Lisbon: June 8, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $522 in Side and $1,621 in Lisbon. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
πDining out: $23.00 in Side vs $63.0 in Lisbon for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $206 vs $269 per month, with Side 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
Side vs Lisbon: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Side and Lisbon?
Side and Lisbon differ by about 111% in total monthly costs ($1,074 vs $2,263 including rent). Side is meaningfully more affordable β a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
What salary covers living expenses in Side compared to Lisbon?
You'd need roughly $1,611 in Side and $3,394 in Lisbon to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
How do apartment prices compare in Side and Lisbon?
Rent for a central apartment: $522 in Side versus $1,621 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 Side and Lisbon?
Childcare runs $607 in Side versus $608 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 $1,500 per month?
At $1,074 in Side versus $2,263 in Lisbon, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Side but tight or insufficient in Lisbon. The gap between the two cities makes Side the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Side 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 Side or Lisbon safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Side 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: Side or Lisbon?
Expats usually find Side gentler on the wallet β expenses run 111% less than in Lisbon. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.