๐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $711 in Zaozhuang versus $2,258 in Lisbon.
๐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,130 in Zaozhuang versus $3,328 in Lisbon.
๐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,550 in Zaozhuang versus $4,397 in Lisbon.
๐Living in Zaozhuang costs roughly 69% less than in Lisbon, driven mainly by Eating Out.
๐The two cities straddle the global median: Zaozhuang is 47% below, Lisbon is 68% above.
Currency
๐ฝ Eating Out
Zaozhuang
Lisbon
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.77ยฅ18.90
$15.82โฌ13.43
-82.49%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$20.61ยฅ141
$64.4โฌ54.7
-67.99%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.92ยฅ33.61
$10.37โฌ8.80
-52.56%
Cappuccino
$2.93ยฅ20.00
$2.89โฌ2.46
1.38%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.43ยฅ2.97
$2.23โฌ1.90
-80.72%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.29ยฅ1.99
$1.55โฌ1.31
-81.29%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$0.87ยฅ5.96
$3.38โฌ2.87
-74.26%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.12ยฅ14.48
$3.90โฌ3.31
-45.64%
๐ Groceries & Markets
Zaozhuang
Lisbon
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.78ยฅ12.15
$1.12โฌ0.95
58.93%
White Bread(500g)
$1.54ยฅ10.52
$1.80โฌ1.53
-14.44%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.95ยฅ6.50
$1.75โฌ1.48
-45.71%
Eggs
$1.61ยฅ11.01
$3.17โฌ2.69
-49.21%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$12.61ยฅ86.1
$13.50โฌ11.46
-6.59%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.11ยฅ21.22
$7.79โฌ6.61
-60.08%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.38ยฅ70.9
$15.65โฌ13.29
-33.67%
Apples(1kg)
$1.74ยฅ11.92
$2.28โฌ1.94
-23.68%
Banana(1kg)
$1.25ยฅ8.56
$1.71โฌ1.46
-26.90%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.38ยฅ9.39
$1.93โฌ1.64
-28.50%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.10ยฅ7.49
$2.52โฌ2.14
-56.35%
Potato(1kg)
$0.73ยฅ4.97
$1.79โฌ1.52
-59.22%
Onion(1kg)
$0.97ยฅ6.60
$2.05โฌ1.74
-52.68%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.57ยฅ3.86
$1.94โฌ1.64
-70.62%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.54ยฅ3.71
$0.81โฌ0.69
-33.33%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.22ยฅ21.97
$6.65โฌ5.65
-51.58%
Wine(Bottle)
$9.80ยฅ67.0
$5.79โฌ4.91
69.26%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.75ยฅ5.11
$1.33โฌ1.13
-43.61%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.60ยฅ10.92
$2.91โฌ2.47
-45.02%
๐ Getting Around
Zaozhuang
Lisbon
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.27ยฅ1.82
$2.35โฌ1.99
-88.51%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$16.64ยฅ114
$45.70โฌ38.80
-63.59%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.35ยฅ9.24
$4.20โฌ3.57
-67.86%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.33ยฅ2.23
$0.81โฌ0.69
-59.26%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$6.55ยฅ44.73
$18.70โฌ15.88
-64.97%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.18ยฅ8.08
$2.09โฌ1.78
-43.54%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$19.0Kยฅ130.0K
$34.6Kโฌ29.4K
-44.99%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$16.6Kยฅ113.6K
$39.7Kโฌ33.7K
-58.05%
๐งพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Zaozhuang
Lisbon
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$45.48ยฅ311
$146โฌ124
-68.82%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.61ยฅ65.6
$20.84โฌ17.69
-53.89%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$11.57ยฅ79.0
$39.78โฌ33.77
-70.92%
๐ Sport & Entertainment
Zaozhuang
Lisbon
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$42.12ยฅ288
$48.58โฌ41.25
-13.30%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$13.82ยฅ94.4
$18.85โฌ16.00
-26.68%
Cinema Ticket
$6.31ยฅ43.11
$9.07โฌ7.70
-30.43%
๐งธ Childcare & Education
Zaozhuang
Lisbon
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$337ยฅ2,303
$618โฌ525
-45.43%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$16.7Kยฅ113.9K
$16.2Kโฌ13.7K
3.19%
๐๐ Clothing & Footwear
Zaozhuang
Lisbon
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$44.04ยฅ301
$105โฌ88.8
-57.88%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$30.53ยฅ209
$40.54โฌ34.42
-24.69%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$70.2ยฅ479
$93.8โฌ79.6
-25.18%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$74.8ยฅ511
$123โฌ104
-39.00%
๐ Accommodation & Living
Zaozhuang
Lisbon
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$278ยฅ1,902
$1,604โฌ1,362
-82.64%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$186ยฅ1,268
$1,260โฌ1,070
-85.27%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$591ยฅ4,039
$3,065โฌ2,602
-80.71%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$360ยฅ2,458
$2,008โฌ1,705
-82.08%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,920ยฅ19.9K
$7,702โฌ6,539
-62.09%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,056ยฅ14.0K
$4,367โฌ3,707
-52.92%
๐ต Salaries & Financials
Zaozhuang
Lisbon
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$1,638โฌ1,391
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.87
3.81
1.57%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input โ minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Zaozhuang: April 14, 2026
Last update for Lisbon: April 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
๐ A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $278 in Zaozhuang and $1,604 in Lisbon. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
๐Dining out: $21 in Zaozhuang vs $64 in Lisbon for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $195 vs $268 per month, with Zaozhuang 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
Zaozhuang vs Lisbon: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Zaozhuang and Lisbon?
Zaozhuang and Lisbon differ by about 218% in total monthly costs ($711 vs $2,258 including rent). Zaozhuang is meaningfully more affordable โ a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
What salary covers living expenses in Zaozhuang compared to Lisbon?
You'd need roughly $1,067 in Zaozhuang and $3,387 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.
How do apartment prices compare in Zaozhuang and Lisbon?
Rent for a central apartment: $278 in Zaozhuang versus $1,604 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 Zaozhuang and Lisbon?
Childcare runs $337 in Zaozhuang versus $618 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 38% higher in Lisbon. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city is more doable on $1,000 per month?
At $711 in Zaozhuang versus $2,258 in Lisbon, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Zaozhuang but tight or insufficient in Lisbon. The gap between the two cities makes Zaozhuang the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Zaozhuang and Lisbon?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better โ the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Zaozhuang or Lisbon safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Zaozhuang 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: Zaozhuang or Lisbon?
Expats usually find Zaozhuang gentler on the wallet โ expenses run 218% less than in Lisbon. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.