๐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $713 in Zhangzhou versus $2,258 in Lisbon.
๐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,143 in Zhangzhou versus $3,328 in Lisbon.
๐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,573 in Zhangzhou versus $4,397 in Lisbon.
๐Living in Zhangzhou costs roughly 68% less than in Lisbon, driven mainly by Eating Out.
๐The two cities straddle the global median: Zhangzhou is 47% below, Lisbon is 68% above.
Currency
๐ฝ Eating Out
Zhangzhou
Lisbon
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.85ยฅ19.49
$15.82โฌ13.46
-81.98%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$21.93ยฅ150
$64.4โฌ54.8
-65.94%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.99ยฅ34.10
$10.37โฌ8.82
-51.88%
Cappuccino
$3.08ยฅ21.02
$2.89โฌ2.46
6.57%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.47ยฅ3.21
$2.23โฌ1.90
-78.92%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.29ยฅ1.99
$1.55โฌ1.32
-81.29%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$0.87ยฅ5.94
$3.38โฌ2.88
-74.26%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.15ยฅ14.67
$3.90โฌ3.32
-44.87%
๐ Groceries & Markets
Zhangzhou
Lisbon
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.81ยฅ12.38
$1.12โฌ0.96
61.61%
White Bread(500g)
$1.59ยฅ10.87
$1.80โฌ1.53
-11.67%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.95ยฅ6.47
$1.75โฌ1.49
-45.71%
Eggs
$1.59ยฅ10.85
$3.17โฌ2.70
-49.84%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$12.72ยฅ86.9
$13.50โฌ11.49
-5.78%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.23ยฅ22.06
$7.79โฌ6.63
-58.54%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.41ยฅ71.1
$15.65โฌ13.32
-33.48%
Apples(1kg)
$1.86ยฅ12.68
$2.28โฌ1.94
-18.42%
Banana(1kg)
$1.27ยฅ8.64
$1.71โฌ1.46
-25.73%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.48ยฅ10.12
$1.93โฌ1.65
-23.32%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.14ยฅ7.78
$2.52โฌ2.15
-54.76%
Potato(1kg)
$0.69ยฅ4.72
$1.79โฌ1.52
-61.45%
Onion(1kg)
$0.97ยฅ6.65
$2.05โฌ1.74
-52.68%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.55ยฅ3.78
$1.94โฌ1.65
-71.65%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.55ยฅ3.76
$0.81โฌ0.69
-32.10%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.10ยฅ21.17
$6.65โฌ5.66
-53.38%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.77ยฅ73.5
$5.79โฌ4.92
86.01%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.74ยฅ5.04
$1.33โฌ1.14
-44.36%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.58ยฅ10.81
$2.91โฌ2.47
-45.70%
๐ Getting Around
Zhangzhou
Lisbon
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.29ยฅ2.00
$2.35โฌ2.00
-87.66%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$16.96ยฅ116
$45.70โฌ38.89
-62.89%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.35ยฅ9.22
$4.20โฌ3.58
-67.86%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.33ยฅ2.22
$0.81โฌ0.69
-59.26%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$6.71ยฅ45.86
$18.70โฌ15.91
-64.12%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.17ยฅ7.96
$2.09โฌ1.78
-44.02%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$19.4Kยฅ132.2K
$34.6Kโฌ29.5K
-44.08%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$17.3Kยฅ117.8K
$39.7Kโฌ33.7K
-56.49%
๐งพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Zhangzhou
Lisbon
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$45.62ยฅ312
$146โฌ124
-68.72%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.69ยฅ66.2
$20.84โฌ17.73
-53.50%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$11.87ยฅ81.1
$39.78โฌ33.85
-70.16%
๐ Sport & Entertainment
Zhangzhou
Lisbon
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$41.38ยฅ283
$48.58โฌ41.35
-14.82%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$13.90ยฅ94.9
$18.85โฌ16.04
-26.26%
Cinema Ticket
$5.76ยฅ39.36
$9.07โฌ7.72
-36.49%
๐งธ Childcare & Education
Zhangzhou
Lisbon
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$337ยฅ2,300
$618โฌ526
-45.50%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$17.0Kยฅ116.2K
$16.2Kโฌ13.8K
5.31%
๐๐ Clothing & Footwear
Zhangzhou
Lisbon
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$43.28ยฅ296
$105โฌ89.0
-58.60%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$29.84ยฅ204
$40.54โฌ34.50
-26.39%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$72.1ยฅ492
$93.8โฌ79.8
-23.15%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$71.9ยฅ491
$123โฌ104
-41.35%
๐ Accommodation & Living
Zhangzhou
Lisbon
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$275ยฅ1,881
$1,604โฌ1,365
-82.83%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$194ยฅ1,328
$1,260โฌ1,073
-84.57%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$598ยฅ4,087
$3,065โฌ2,608
-80.48%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$353ยฅ2,414
$2,008โฌ1,709
-82.40%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,044ยฅ20.8K
$7,702โฌ6,555
-60.49%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,003ยฅ13.7K
$4,367โฌ3,716
-54.13%
๐ต Salaries & Financials
Zhangzhou
Lisbon
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$1,638โฌ1,394
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.89
3.81
2.10%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input โ minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Zhangzhou: April 12, 2026
Last update for Lisbon: April 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
๐ A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $275 in Zhangzhou and $1,604 in Lisbon. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
๐Dining out: $22 in Zhangzhou vs $64 in Lisbon for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $199 vs $268 per month, with Zhangzhou 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
Zhangzhou vs Lisbon: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Zhangzhou and Lisbon?
Zhangzhou and Lisbon differ by about 217% in total monthly costs ($713 vs $2,258 including rent). Zhangzhou is meaningfully more affordable โ a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
What salary covers living expenses in Zhangzhou compared to Lisbon?
You'd need roughly $1,069 in Zhangzhou 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 Zhangzhou and Lisbon?
Rent for a central apartment: $275 in Zhangzhou 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 Zhangzhou and Lisbon?
Childcare runs $337 in Zhangzhou 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 35% higher in Lisbon. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $713 in Zhangzhou versus $2,258 in Lisbon, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Zhangzhou but tight or insufficient in Lisbon. The gap between the two cities makes Zhangzhou the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Zhangzhou 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 Zhangzhou or Lisbon safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Zhangzhou 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: Zhangzhou or Lisbon?
Expats usually find Zhangzhou gentler on the wallet โ expenses run 217% less than in Lisbon. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.