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: $1,076 in Side versus $2,243 in Lisbon.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,642 in Side versus $3,315 in Lisbon.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,208 in Side versus $4,387 in Lisbon.
πLiving in Side costs roughly 52% less than in Lisbon, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πThe two cities straddle the global median: Side is 20% below, Lisbon is 67% above.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Side
Lisbon
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.79βΊ350
$15.73β¬13.42
-50.48%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$23.29βΊ1,047
$63.2β¬53.9
-63.13%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.18βΊ278
$10.32β¬8.80
-40.12%
Cappuccino
$2.64βΊ119
$2.81β¬2.40
-6.05%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.74βΊ78.0
$2.33β¬1.99
-25.32%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.47βΊ21.24
$1.51β¬1.29
-68.87%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.14βΊ141
$3.37β¬2.87
-6.82%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.10βΊ184
$3.91β¬3.34
4.86%
π Groceries & Markets
Side
Lisbon
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.84βΊ37.96
$1.08β¬0.92
-22.22%
White Bread(500g)
$0.98βΊ44.13
$1.75β¬1.49
-44.00%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.88βΊ39.38
$1.75β¬1.50
-49.71%
Eggs
$1.77βΊ79.5
$3.10β¬2.64
-42.90%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.38βΊ377
$13.28β¬11.33
-36.90%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.33βΊ240
$7.85β¬6.70
-32.10%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$16.31βΊ733
$16.05β¬13.69
1.62%
Apples(1kg)
$1.01βΊ45.32
$2.39β¬2.04
-57.74%
Banana(1kg)
$2.09βΊ93.9
$1.72β¬1.47
21.51%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.73βΊ32.71
$1.97β¬1.68
-62.94%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.11βΊ49.76
$2.55β¬2.17
-56.47%
Potato(1kg)
$0.56βΊ24.97
$1.79β¬1.53
-68.72%
Onion(1kg)
$0.45βΊ20.33
$1.97β¬1.68
-77.16%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.27βΊ56.9
$1.96β¬1.67
-35.20%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.34βΊ15.30
$0.84β¬0.71
-59.52%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.05βΊ92.0
$6.82β¬5.82
-69.94%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.72βΊ392
$5.85β¬4.99
49.06%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.70βΊ76.6
$1.38β¬1.18
23.19%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.12βΊ95.3
$2.92β¬2.49
-27.40%
π Getting Around
Side
Lisbon
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.63βΊ28.09
$2.29β¬1.95
-72.49%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$30.68βΊ1,379
$46.88β¬39.99
-34.56%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.08βΊ48.74
$4.12β¬3.51
-73.79%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.61βΊ27.31
$0.81β¬0.69
-24.69%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.65βΊ344
$18.94β¬16.16
-59.61%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.16βΊ52.0
$2.09β¬1.78
-44.50%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$40.1KβΊ1.8M
$35.1Kβ¬30.0K
14.12%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$42.7KβΊ1.9M
$39.7Kβ¬33.9K
7.40%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Side
Lisbon
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$48.43βΊ2,177
$150β¬128
-67.62%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$8.03βΊ361
$20.49β¬17.48
-60.81%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$6.49βΊ292
$39.15β¬33.40
-83.42%
π Sport & Entertainment
Side
Lisbon
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$42.64βΊ1,917
$49.65β¬42.35
-14.12%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$18.47β¬15.76
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.47βΊ291
$9.20β¬7.84
-29.67%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Side
Lisbon
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$619βΊ27.8K
$624β¬533
-0.86%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$8,974βΊ403.4K
$15.9Kβ¬13.6K
-43.58%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Side
Lisbon
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$75.2βΊ3,379
$102β¬87.2
-26.42%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$45.66βΊ2,053
$40.88β¬34.87
11.69%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$163βΊ7,318
$95.7β¬81.6
70.13%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$112βΊ5,025
$121β¬103
-7.69%
π Accommodation & Living
Side
Lisbon
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$513βΊ23.0K
$1,653β¬1,410
-68.98%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$395βΊ17.8K
$1,233β¬1,051
-67.96%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$889βΊ40.0K
$3,043β¬2,596
-70.78%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$702βΊ31.6K
$2,059β¬1,756
-65.90%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,382βΊ62.1K
$7,879β¬6,720
-82.45%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,010βΊ45.4K
$4,303β¬3,671
-76.52%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Side
Lisbon
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$1,566β¬1,336
-
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: April 20, 2026
Last update for Lisbon: April 21, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $513 in Side and $1,653 in Lisbon. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
πDining out: $23 in Side vs $63 in Lisbon for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $198 vs $270 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 108% in total monthly costs ($1,076 vs $2,243 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 $1,614 in Side and $3,365 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: $513 in Side 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 Side and Lisbon?
Childcare runs $619 in Side 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 36% 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 $1,076 in Side versus $2,243 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 108% less than in Lisbon. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.