Cost of Living Comparison Between Tete and LisbonCost of Living Comparison Between Tete and Lisbon
Monthly Cost of Living
πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $172 in Tete versus $2,227 in Lisbon.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $275 in Tete versus $3,305 in Lisbon.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $379 in Tete versus $4,384 in Lisbon.
πLiving in Tete costs roughly 92% less than in Lisbon, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πThe two cities straddle the global median: Tete is 87% below, Lisbon is 66% above.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Tete
Lisbon
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.58MZNΒ 292
$16.17β¬13.84
-71.68%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
-
$64.6β¬55.3
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
-
$10.38β¬8.88
-
Cappuccino
$1.52MZNΒ 96.6
$2.77β¬2.37
-45.13%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.82MZNΒ 51.9
$2.25β¬1.92
-63.56%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.38MZNΒ 23.98
$1.57β¬1.35
-75.80%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$0.74MZNΒ 47.31
$3.49β¬2.99
-78.80%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.22MZNΒ 77.8
$4.00β¬3.43
-69.50%
π Groceries & Markets
Tete
Lisbon
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.53MZNΒ 97.7
$1.08β¬0.93
41.67%
White Bread(500g)
$0.67MZNΒ 42.76
$1.74β¬1.49
-61.49%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.34MZNΒ 149
$1.74β¬1.49
34.48%
Eggs
$3.06MZNΒ 195
$3.18β¬2.72
-3.77%
Local Cheese(1kg)
-
$13.43β¬11.50
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.22MZNΒ 205
$7.99β¬6.84
-59.70%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
-
$16.09β¬13.77
-
Apples(1kg)
$1.60MZNΒ 102
$2.28β¬1.95
-29.82%
Banana(1kg)
-
$1.72β¬1.48
-
Oranges(1kg)
-
$1.94β¬1.66
-
Tomato(1kg)
$1.55MZNΒ 98.7
$2.54β¬2.18
-38.98%
Potato(1kg)
$1.60MZNΒ 102
$1.83β¬1.57
-12.57%
Onion(1kg)
$1.52MZNΒ 96.8
$2.04β¬1.75
-25.49%
Lettuce(1 head)
-
$1.98β¬1.69
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.80MZNΒ 50.8
$0.85β¬0.73
-5.88%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
-
$6.85β¬5.87
-
Wine(Bottle)
-
$5.78β¬4.94
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.06MZNΒ 67.6
$1.37β¬1.18
-22.63%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.57MZNΒ 100
$2.90β¬2.48
-45.86%
π Getting Around
Tete
Lisbon
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
-
$2.28β¬1.95
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$46.84β¬40.10
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
-
$4.08β¬3.49
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
-
$0.82β¬0.70
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
-
$18.27β¬15.64
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
-
$2.01β¬1.72
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$35.3Kβ¬30.2K
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$38.5Kβ¬32.9K
-
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tete
Lisbon
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
-
$145β¬124
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
-
$20.96β¬17.94
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
-
$40.05β¬34.29
-
π Sport & Entertainment
Tete
Lisbon
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
-
$48.79β¬41.76
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$18.69β¬16.00
-
Cinema Ticket
-
$9.06β¬7.76
-
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Tete
Lisbon
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
-
$607β¬519
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
-
$16.3Kβ¬14.0K
-
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Tete
Lisbon
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
-
$105β¬89.6
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$40.95β¬35.06
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
-
$93.6β¬80.1
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$119β¬101
-
π Accommodation & Living
Tete
Lisbon
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$1,604β¬1,373
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$1,236β¬1,058
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$3,046β¬2,607
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$2,057β¬1,761
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$7,709β¬6,599
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$4,266β¬3,652
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Tete
Lisbon
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$1,584β¬1,356
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
0
3.81
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Tete: April 25, 2026
Last update for Lisbon: April 26, 2026
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
Tete vs Lisbon: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Tete and Lisbon?
Tete and Lisbon differ by about 1194% in total monthly costs ($172 vs $2,227 including rent). Tete is meaningfully more affordable β a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
What salary covers living expenses in Tete compared to Lisbon?
You'd need roughly $258 in Tete and $3,341 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.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Supermarket bills run roughly 167% higher in Lisbon. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city is more expensive overall: Tete or Lisbon?
All in, you'll spend $172 per month in Tete versus $2,227 in Lisbon β a 1194% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $172 in Tete versus $2,227 in Lisbon, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Tete but tight or insufficient in Lisbon. The gap between the two cities makes Tete the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Tete 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 Tete or Lisbon safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Tete 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: Tete or Lisbon?
Expats usually find Tete gentler on the wallet β expenses run 1194% less than in Lisbon. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.