πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,021 in Subotica versus $2,227 in Lisbon.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,561 in Subotica versus $3,305 in Lisbon.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,101 in Subotica versus $4,384 in Lisbon.
πLiving in Subotica costs roughly 54% less than in Lisbon, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πThe two cities straddle the global median: Subotica is 24% below, Lisbon is 66% above.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Subotica
Lisbon
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$9.65RSDΒ 968
$16.17β¬13.81
-40.32%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$29.36RSDΒ 2,943
$64.6β¬55.1
-54.53%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.71RSDΒ 874
$10.38β¬8.86
-16.09%
Cappuccino
$1.96RSDΒ 196
$2.77β¬2.37
-29.24%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.64RSDΒ 165
$2.25β¬1.92
-27.11%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.97RSDΒ 97.4
$1.57β¬1.34
-38.22%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.02RSDΒ 202
$3.49β¬2.98
-42.12%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.12RSDΒ 212
$4.00β¬3.42
-47.00%
π Groceries & Markets
Subotica
Lisbon
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.47RSDΒ 147
$1.08β¬0.93
36.11%
White Bread(500g)
$0.92RSDΒ 92.3
$1.74β¬1.49
-47.13%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.91RSDΒ 292
$1.74β¬1.48
67.24%
Eggs
$2.61RSDΒ 261
$3.18β¬2.71
-17.92%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.75RSDΒ 1,078
$13.43β¬11.47
-19.96%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.24RSDΒ 726
$7.99β¬6.83
-9.39%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.65RSDΒ 1,068
$16.09β¬13.74
-33.81%
Apples(1kg)
$1.38RSDΒ 138
$2.28β¬1.95
-39.47%
Banana(1kg)
$1.90RSDΒ 190
$1.72β¬1.47
10.47%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.47RSDΒ 148
$1.94β¬1.66
-24.23%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.14RSDΒ 214
$2.54β¬2.17
-15.75%
Potato(1kg)
$1.04RSDΒ 104
$1.83β¬1.56
-43.17%
Onion(1kg)
$0.75RSDΒ 74.7
$2.04β¬1.74
-63.24%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.57RSDΒ 57.6
$1.98β¬1.69
-71.21%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.71RSDΒ 71.5
$0.85β¬0.73
-16.47%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.46RSDΒ 447
$6.85β¬5.85
-34.89%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.41RSDΒ 543
$5.78β¬4.93
-6.40%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.89RSDΒ 89.0
$1.37β¬1.17
-35.04%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.53RSDΒ 153
$2.90β¬2.48
-47.24%
π Getting Around
Subotica
Lisbon
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.17RSDΒ 117
$2.28β¬1.95
-48.68%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$46.84β¬40.00
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.81RSDΒ 181
$4.08β¬3.48
-55.64%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.92RSDΒ 91.8
$0.82β¬0.70
12.20%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$9.77RSDΒ 979
$18.27β¬15.60
-46.52%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.77RSDΒ 177
$2.01β¬1.71
-11.94%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.9KRSDΒ 3.1M
$35.3Kβ¬30.1K
-12.47%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.3KRSDΒ 2.6M
$38.5Kβ¬32.9K
-31.74%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Subotica
Lisbon
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$117RSDΒ 11.7K
$145β¬124
-19.50%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.45RSDΒ 1,348
$20.96β¬17.90
-35.83%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$32.86RSDΒ 3,295
$40.05β¬34.21
-17.95%
π Sport & Entertainment
Subotica
Lisbon
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$31.81RSDΒ 3,190
$48.79β¬41.66
-34.80%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$9.61RSDΒ 964
$18.69β¬15.97
-48.58%
Cinema Ticket
$2.98RSDΒ 299
$9.06β¬7.74
-67.11%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Subotica
Lisbon
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$454RSDΒ 45.5K
$607β¬518
-25.12%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$9,264RSDΒ 928.8K
$16.3Kβ¬13.9K
-43.27%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Subotica
Lisbon
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$34.12RSDΒ 3,421
$105β¬89.4
-67.40%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.83RSDΒ 2,690
$40.95β¬34.97
-34.48%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$87.5RSDΒ 8,777
$93.6β¬79.9
-6.45%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$119RSDΒ 11.9K
$119β¬101
0.28%
π Accommodation & Living
Subotica
Lisbon
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$408RSDΒ 40.9K
$1,604β¬1,370
-74.57%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$332RSDΒ 33.3K
$1,236β¬1,055
-73.12%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$597RSDΒ 59.9K
$3,046β¬2,601
-80.39%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$557RSDΒ 55.9K
$2,057β¬1,756
-72.91%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,548RSDΒ 255.4K
$7,709β¬6,583
-66.95%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,775RSDΒ 178.0K
$4,266β¬3,644
-58.39%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Subotica
Lisbon
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$915RSDΒ 91.7K
$1,584β¬1,353
-42.24%
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: April 25, 2026
Last update for Lisbon: April 26, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $408 in Subotica and $1,604 in Lisbon. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Lisbon pays 73% 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 $65.0 in Lisbon for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $215 vs $271 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 118% in total monthly costs ($1,021 vs $2,227 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 73% 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: $408 in Subotica versus $1,604 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 26% 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 $1,021 per month in Subotica versus $2,227 in Lisbon β a 118% 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 $1,021 in Subotica versus $2,227 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 118% less than in Lisbon. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.