Cost of Living Comparison Between TamΓ‘si and LisbonCost of Living Comparison Between TamΓ‘si and Lisbon
Monthly Cost of Living
πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,025 in TamΓ‘si versus $2,263 in Lisbon.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,585 in TamΓ‘si versus $3,315 in Lisbon.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,145 in TamΓ‘si versus $4,368 in Lisbon.
πLiving in TamΓ‘si costs roughly 55% less than in Lisbon, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πThe two cities straddle the global median: TamΓ‘si is 24% below, Lisbon is 68% above.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
TamΓ‘si
Lisbon
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.67FtΒ 2,365
$15.94β¬13.82
-51.88%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$45.89FtΒ 14.2K
$63.4β¬54.9
-27.58%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.63FtΒ 1,736
$10.38β¬9.00
-45.76%
Cappuccino
$2.06FtΒ 636
$2.79β¬2.42
-26.16%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.49FtΒ 460
$2.34β¬2.03
-36.32%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.39FtΒ 428
$1.57β¬1.36
-11.46%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.27FtΒ 700
$3.43β¬2.97
-33.82%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.12FtΒ 653
$3.91β¬3.39
-45.78%
π Groceries & Markets
TamΓ‘si
Lisbon
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05FtΒ 324
$1.08β¬0.93
-2.78%
White Bread(500g)
$1.60FtΒ 494
$1.77β¬1.53
-9.60%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.18FtΒ 364
$1.71β¬1.48
-30.99%
Eggs
$2.04FtΒ 628
$3.15β¬2.73
-35.24%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.70FtΒ 2,375
$13.68β¬11.86
-43.71%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.65FtΒ 1,744
$8.01β¬6.94
-29.46%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.26FtΒ 3,473
$15.52β¬13.45
-27.45%
Apples(1kg)
$1.37FtΒ 422
$2.29β¬1.99
-40.17%
Banana(1kg)
$1.41FtΒ 434
$1.64β¬1.42
-14.02%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.75FtΒ 538
$1.94β¬1.68
-9.79%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.77FtΒ 855
$2.51β¬2.18
10.36%
Potato(1kg)
$0.96FtΒ 296
$1.79β¬1.55
-46.37%
Onion(1kg)
$1.19FtΒ 366
$2.01β¬1.74
-40.80%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.43FtΒ 441
$1.97β¬1.70
-27.41%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.48FtΒ 148
$0.84β¬0.73
-42.86%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.36FtΒ 1,962
$6.79β¬5.88
-6.33%
Wine(Bottle)
$4.16FtΒ 1,284
$5.67β¬4.92
-26.63%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.92FtΒ 285
$1.39β¬1.20
-33.81%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.46FtΒ 450
$3.02β¬2.61
-51.66%
π Getting Around
TamΓ‘si
Lisbon
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.18FtΒ 364
$2.27β¬1.97
-48.02%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$25.37FtΒ 7,823
$45.44β¬39.38
-44.17%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.88FtΒ 887
$4.29β¬3.72
-32.87%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.29FtΒ 398
$0.85β¬0.74
51.76%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$17.46FtΒ 5,385
$18.28β¬15.84
-4.49%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.68FtΒ 519
$1.99β¬1.72
-15.58%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.2KFtΒ 8.1M
$35.0Kβ¬30.4K
-25.11%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.3KFtΒ 7.8M
$39.5Kβ¬34.3K
-36.13%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
TamΓ‘si
Lisbon
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$105FtΒ 32.3K
$146β¬127
-28.33%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$24.87FtΒ 7,669
$20.45β¬17.72
21.61%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$13.41FtΒ 4,136
$38.98β¬33.78
-65.60%
π Sport & Entertainment
TamΓ‘si
Lisbon
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$46.78FtΒ 14.4K
$48.98β¬42.46
-4.49%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.60FtΒ 5,119
$18.83β¬16.32
-11.84%
Cinema Ticket
$6.98FtΒ 2,151
$9.52β¬8.25
-26.68%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
TamΓ‘si
Lisbon
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$223FtΒ 68.7K
$608β¬527
-63.35%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,210FtΒ 1.9M
$16.5Kβ¬14.3K
-62.39%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
TamΓ‘si
Lisbon
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$82.9FtΒ 25.6K
$104β¬90.0
-20.19%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$29.76FtΒ 9,177
$42.12β¬36.50
-29.34%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$69.5FtΒ 21.4K
$92.2β¬79.9
-24.63%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$58.1FtΒ 17.9K
$120β¬104
-51.64%
π Accommodation & Living
TamΓ‘si
Lisbon
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$451FtΒ 139.0K
$1,621β¬1,405
-72.21%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$339FtΒ 104.6K
$1,268β¬1,099
-73.25%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$633FtΒ 195.3K
$3,048β¬2,642
-79.22%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$539FtΒ 166.3K
$2,009β¬1,741
-73.15%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,333FtΒ 1.0M
$7,663β¬6,641
-56.50%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,104FtΒ 648.9K
$4,329β¬3,752
-51.39%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
TamΓ‘si
Lisbon
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,251FtΒ 385.6K
$1,585β¬1,374
-21.10%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.85
3.81
53.54%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for TamΓ‘si: June 6, 2026
Last update for Lisbon: June 8, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $451 in TamΓ‘si and $1,621 in Lisbon. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Lisbon pays 27% 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: $46.00 in TamΓ‘si vs $63.0 in Lisbon for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $193 vs $269 per month, with TamΓ‘si 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
TamΓ‘si vs Lisbon: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in TamΓ‘si and Lisbon?
TamΓ‘si and Lisbon differ by about 121% in total monthly costs ($1,025 vs $2,263 including rent). TamΓ‘si 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 27% 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 TamΓ‘si and Lisbon?
Rent for a central apartment: $451 in TamΓ‘si 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 TamΓ‘si and Lisbon?
Childcare runs $223 in TamΓ‘si 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 39% 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 $1,025 in TamΓ‘si versus $2,263 in Lisbon, a $1,500 budget is realistic in TamΓ‘si but tight or insufficient in Lisbon. The gap between the two cities makes TamΓ‘si the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between TamΓ‘si 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 TamΓ‘si or Lisbon safer for residents?
Safety-wise, TamΓ‘si 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: TamΓ‘si or Lisbon?
Expats usually find TamΓ‘si 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.