😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $3,784 in Southampton versus $2,268 in Lisbon.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $8,320 in Southampton versus $3,348 in Lisbon.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $12.9K in Southampton versus $4,429 in Lisbon.
🌍Living in Southampton is roughly 67% more expensive than in Lisbon, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Southampton174% above, Lisbon64% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Southampton
Lisbon
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$54.6BMD 54.6
$17.55€15.09
211.00%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$151BMD 151
$64.5€55.5
134.18%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$17.12BMD 17.12
$11.65€10.01
46.95%
Cappuccino
$6.22BMD 6.22
$3.26€2.80
90.80%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.03BMD 3.03
$2.49€2.14
21.69%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.03BMD 3.03
$1.67€1.44
81.44%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$7.54BMD 7.54
$3.47€2.99
117.29%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$8.98BMD 8.98
$3.58€3.07
150.84%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Southampton
Lisbon
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$4.60BMD 4.60
$1.18€1.02
289.83%
White Bread(500g)
$8.26BMD 8.26
$1.95€1.67
323.59%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$5.60BMD 5.60
$1.56€1.34
258.97%
Eggs
$7.41BMD 7.41
$4.01€3.45
84.79%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$18.57BMD 18.57
$13.27€11.41
39.94%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$23.17BMD 23.17
$8.42€7.24
175.18%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$27.70BMD 27.70
$18.23€15.68
51.95%
Apples(1kg)
$12.72BMD 12.72
$2.32€2.00
448.28%
Banana(1kg)
$6.45BMD 6.45
$1.73€1.49
272.83%
Oranges(1kg)
$7.15BMD 7.15
$1.93€1.66
270.47%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.90BMD 3.90
$2.64€2.27
47.73%
Potato(1kg)
$7.19BMD 7.19
$1.90€1.63
278.42%
Onion(1kg)
$3.08BMD 3.08
$2.11€1.82
45.97%
Lettuce(1 head)
$6.83BMD 6.83
$1.44€1.24
374.31%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$3.53BMD 3.53
$0.80€0.69
341.25%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$17.56BMD 17.56
$7.01€6.03
150.50%
Wine(Bottle)
$25.29BMD 25.29
$5.92€5.09
327.20%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$5.08BMD 5.08
$1.36€1.17
273.53%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.52BMD 4.52
$2.15€1.85
110.23%
🚌 Getting Around
Southampton
Lisbon
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
-
$2.38€2.05
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$46.22€39.74
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$6.59BMD 6.59
$4.19€3.60
57.28%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.93BMD 2.93
$1.10€0.94
166.36%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$71.1BMD 71.1
$17.26€14.84
311.76%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.13BMD 2.13
$2.25€1.93
-5.33%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$36.8KBMD 36.8K
$34.5K€29.6K
6.85%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$42.7KBMD 42.7K
$41.6K€35.8K
2.49%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Southampton
Lisbon
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$254BMD 254
$171€147
48.43%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$148BMD 148
$19.01€16.34
676.70%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$159BMD 159
$34.28€29.48
365.11%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Southampton
Lisbon
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
-
$49.65€42.69
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$19.51€16.77
-
Cinema Ticket
$13.57BMD 13.57
$10.10€8.68
34.36%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Southampton
Lisbon
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,339BMD 1,339
$699€601
91.57%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$25.1KBMD 25.1K
$17.8K€15.3K
41.18%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Southampton
Lisbon
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$91.6BMD 91.6
$105€89.9
-12.39%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$69.9BMD 69.9
$47.97€41.24
45.67%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$145BMD 145
$102€87.6
42.17%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$127BMD 127
$128€110
-1.13%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Southampton
Lisbon
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$1,661€1,428
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,516BMD 1,516
$1,228€1,056
23.41%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$2,915€2,506
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$8,132BMD 8,132
$2,023€1,740
301.90%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$8,129€6,989
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$4,635€3,985
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Southampton
Lisbon
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$9,739BMD 9,739
$1,619€1,392
501.47%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
8.63
3.78
128.31%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Southampton: September 5, 2026
Last update for Lisbon: September 5, 2026
Cost Breakdown
💰Southampton pays 501% 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: $151 in Southampton vs $64.0 in Lisbon for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $768 vs $281 per month, with Lisbon 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
Southampton vs Lisbon: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Southampton and in Lisbon?
Southampton and Lisbon differ by about 67% in total monthly costs ($3,784 vs $2,268 including rent). Lisbon is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Southampton or Lisbon?
Average pay runs 501% higher in Southampton, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Supermarket bills run roughly 173% higher in Southampton. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city is more expensive overall: Southampton or Lisbon?
All in, you'll spend $3,784 per month in Southampton versus $2,268 in Lisbon – a 67% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is more doable on $3,000 per month?
At $2,268 in Lisbon versus $3,784 in Southampton, a $3,000 budget is realistic in Lisbon but tight or insufficient in Southampton. The gap between the two cities makes Lisbon the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Southampton 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 Southampton or Lisbon safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Southampton 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: Southampton or Lisbon?
Expats usually find Lisbon gentler on the wallet – expenses run 67% less than in Southampton. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Southampton vs other spots: cost of living compared