πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,024 in Subotica versus $2,263 in Lisbon.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,546 in Subotica versus $3,315 in Lisbon.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,069 in Subotica versus $4,368 in Lisbon.
πLiving in Subotica costs roughly 55% less than in Lisbon, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πThe two cities straddle the global median: Subotica is 24% below, Lisbon is 68% above.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Subotica
Lisbon
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$9.99RSDΒ 1,011
$15.94β¬13.73
-37.33%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$28.74RSDΒ 2,906
$63.4β¬54.6
-54.65%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.59RSDΒ 869
$10.38β¬8.95
-17.24%
Cappuccino
$2.02RSDΒ 204
$2.79β¬2.40
-27.60%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.60RSDΒ 162
$2.34β¬2.01
-31.62%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.98RSDΒ 98.7
$1.57β¬1.35
-37.58%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.94RSDΒ 196
$3.43β¬2.95
-43.44%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.14RSDΒ 217
$3.91β¬3.37
-45.27%
π Groceries & Markets
Subotica
Lisbon
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.45RSDΒ 146
$1.08β¬0.93
34.26%
White Bread(500g)
$0.93RSDΒ 94.0
$1.77β¬1.52
-47.46%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.05RSDΒ 308
$1.71β¬1.47
78.36%
Eggs
$2.72RSDΒ 275
$3.15β¬2.71
-13.65%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.93RSDΒ 1,105
$13.68β¬11.79
-20.10%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.22RSDΒ 730
$8.01β¬6.90
-9.86%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.36RSDΒ 1,048
$15.52β¬13.37
-33.25%
Apples(1kg)
$1.38RSDΒ 139
$2.29β¬1.98
-39.74%
Banana(1kg)
$1.86RSDΒ 188
$1.64β¬1.41
13.41%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.44RSDΒ 146
$1.94β¬1.67
-25.77%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.12RSDΒ 214
$2.51β¬2.17
-15.54%
Potato(1kg)
$1.06RSDΒ 107
$1.79β¬1.54
-40.78%
Onion(1kg)
$0.79RSDΒ 80.0
$2.01β¬1.73
-60.70%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.60RSDΒ 61.1
$1.97β¬1.69
-69.54%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.72RSDΒ 72.6
$0.84β¬0.73
-14.29%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.37RSDΒ 442
$6.79β¬5.85
-35.64%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.56RSDΒ 563
$5.67β¬4.89
-1.94%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.83RSDΒ 83.5
$1.39β¬1.20
-40.29%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.61RSDΒ 163
$3.02β¬2.60
-46.69%
π Getting Around
Subotica
Lisbon
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.17RSDΒ 118
$2.27β¬1.95
-48.46%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$45.44β¬39.15
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.84RSDΒ 186
$4.29β¬3.70
-57.11%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.92RSDΒ 92.8
$0.85β¬0.73
8.24%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$10.08RSDΒ 1,020
$18.28β¬15.75
-44.86%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.78RSDΒ 180
$1.99β¬1.71
-10.55%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.6KRSDΒ 3.1M
$35.0Kβ¬30.2K
-12.59%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KRSDΒ 2.7M
$39.5Kβ¬34.1K
-32.90%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Subotica
Lisbon
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$116RSDΒ 11.8K
$146β¬126
-20.46%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.52RSDΒ 1,367
$20.45β¬17.62
-33.89%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$32.58RSDΒ 3,295
$38.98β¬33.58
-16.42%
π Sport & Entertainment
Subotica
Lisbon
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$31.93RSDΒ 3,229
$48.98β¬42.21
-34.81%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$9.74RSDΒ 985
$18.83β¬16.22
-48.27%
Cinema Ticket
$2.97RSDΒ 301
$9.52β¬8.21
-68.80%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Subotica
Lisbon
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$440RSDΒ 44.5K
$608β¬524
-27.64%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$9,378RSDΒ 948.4K
$16.5Kβ¬14.2K
-43.20%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Subotica
Lisbon
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$34.87RSDΒ 3,527
$104β¬89.5
-66.44%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.26RSDΒ 2,655
$42.12β¬36.29
-37.65%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$89.5RSDΒ 9,054
$92.2β¬79.5
-2.92%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$122RSDΒ 12.3K
$120β¬103
1.41%
π Accommodation & Living
Subotica
Lisbon
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$410RSDΒ 41.5K
$1,621β¬1,397
-74.71%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$328RSDΒ 33.1K
$1,268β¬1,092
-74.16%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$601RSDΒ 60.7K
$3,048β¬2,626
-80.29%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$556RSDΒ 56.3K
$2,009β¬1,731
-72.30%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,526RSDΒ 255.5K
$7,663β¬6,602
-67.03%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,650RSDΒ 166.8K
$4,329β¬3,730
-61.89%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Subotica
Lisbon
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$891RSDΒ 90.1K
$1,585β¬1,366
-43.81%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.59
3.81
46.72%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Subotica: June 6, 2026
Last update for Lisbon: June 8, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $410 in Subotica and $1,621 in Lisbon. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Lisbon pays 78% 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: $29.00 in Subotica vs $63.0 in Lisbon for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $215 vs $269 per month, with Subotica 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
Subotica vs Lisbon: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Subotica and Lisbon?
Subotica and Lisbon differ by about 121% in total monthly costs ($1,024 vs $2,263 including rent). Subotica 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 78% 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 Subotica and Lisbon?
Rent for a central apartment: $410 in Subotica versus $1,621 in Lisbon. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Supermarket bills run roughly 25% higher in Lisbon. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city is more expensive overall: Subotica or Lisbon?
All in, you'll spend $1,024 per month in Subotica versus $2,263 in Lisbon β a 121% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is more doable on $1,000 per month?
At $1,024 in Subotica versus $2,263 in Lisbon, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Subotica but tight or insufficient in Lisbon. The gap between the two cities makes Subotica the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Subotica 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 Subotica or Lisbon safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Subotica 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: Subotica or Lisbon?
Expats usually find Subotica gentler on the wallet β expenses run 121% less than in Lisbon. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.