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Lisbon · Cost of Living 2026
City Guide · Portugal · Europe

Cost of Living in Lisbon, Portugal
2026 Expat Guide

moderately affordable 25% below the global city average (CoL 87.2)

Life in Lisbon, Portugal is reasonably priced with a cost-of-living index of 65.2 (NYC = 100). Expect to pay around ~$504/month for central housing and ~$6 for a basic meal out.

With a population of 518,000, Lisbon is a mid-size city in Portugal.

Monthly Budget: $538–$950/month  ·  CoL Index: 65.2 (NYC = 100, global avg 87.2)
🇵🇹 Portugal Pop. 518k Capital Updated April 2026
CoL Index
65.2
NYC = 100
Rent Index
62.3
NYC = 100
1-BR Centre
$504
monthly rent
Avg. Salary
$4,228
net/month
Cheap Meal
$6
restaurant
Groceries
$230
monthly basket

Key Cost of Living Data

Lisbon 2026 · NYC baseline = 100

Cost of Living
65.2
Rent Index
62.3
Cheap Meal USD
$6
Monthly Groceries
$230
Monthly Transport
$59
CategoryValueNotesSource
CoL Index65.2NYC baseline = 100 · global avg 87.2GlobalCostData 2026
Rent Index62.3Avg rent vs NYCGlobalCostData 2026
1-BR City Centre$504Monthly rent, USDGlobalCostData 2026
1-BR Outside Centre$328Monthly rent, USDGlobalCostData 2026
Cheap Restaurant Meal$6Per person, USDGlobalCostData 2026
Monthly Groceries$230Single person, USDGlobalCostData 2026
Monthly Transport$59Transit pass, USDGlobalCostData 2026

Lisbon's cost of living index of 65.2 places it 35% below New York City's baseline, and 39% above the global average (approx. index 47).

Affordability snapshot

Rent / Salary ratio
12%

Share of average net salary absorbed by 1-bed city-centre rent. Lower = more disposable income.

Country context · Portugal

Avg net salary
$4,228
Food basket /mo
N/A
Avg rent /mo
$504
Internet speed
113 Mbps
Safety index
8.1
HDI
0.874
Life expectancy
81.2 yrs
Purchasing power
45.6

Housing & Rent

USD per month · 2026

TypeUSD / monthNotes
1-bed, city centre$504Capital city avg.
1-bed, outside centre$328Suburbs avg.
Country avg rent$504Portugal (national)

Food & Dining

Per-item prices in USD

ItemPrice (USD)Notes
Cheap restaurant meal$6Per person
Mid-range restaurant (2p)$163-course
Monthly groceries (single)$230Single person estimate
Country food basketN/APortugal (national avg)

Transport

Monthly costs in USD

TypePrice (USD)Notes
Monthly transit pass$59Public transport avg.

City Insight

In Lisbon, a 1-bedroom city-centre apartment ($504/mo) absorbs approximately 12% of the average net salary ($4,228/mo). This leaves solid disposable income.

Country profile
Full cost of living guide for Portugal
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Related · TaxRatesByCountry.com
Tax Rates in Portugal for Expats 2026
Income tax, corporate rates, capital gains & special regimes
Read guide →

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Monthly Budget Estimates

Lisbon · 2026 · Single person

LifestyleMonthly Budget (USD)Notes
Frugal$538Shared room, basic lifestyle
Comfortable$9501-bed apt, normal expat lifestyle
Western expat$1,616Private apt, regular travel

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Frequently Asked Questions

Lisbon cost of living

Is Lisbon cheap to live in?
Lisbon is moderately affordable with a CoL Index of 65.2. It is cheaper than most Western cities, making it popular with digital nomads and expats. A comfortable single-person lifestyle typically costs $652–$913/month.
What is the average rent in Lisbon?
A 1-bedroom apartment in the centre of Lisbon costs approximately $504/month, while outside the city centre it averages $328/month. Prices vary significantly by neighbourhood and property quality.
How much money do you need to live comfortably in Lisbon?
A comfortable single-person lifestyle in Lisbon requires approximately $950/month, covering rent, food, transport, and leisure. On a tight budget (shared housing, cooking at home), $538/month is feasible. A Western expat lifestyle with private accommodation costs $1,616+/month.
Is Lisbon, the capital, more expensive than other cities in Portugal?
As the capital of Portugal, Lisbon tends to command a premium over smaller regional cities. Its CoL Index of 65.2 (NYC=100) reflects the concentration of government, business, and international institutions that typically drive up housing and service costs. Secondary cities in Portugal are often 20–40% cheaper for rent.
What is the average salary in Lisbon?
The average net monthly salary in Lisbon is approximately $4,228, equivalent to around $50,736/year after taxes. Technology, finance, and international companies typically pay above average. Expat packages often include housing allowances on top of the base salary.

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Sources: World Bank Open Data 2026 · GlobalCostData Research 2026. Data verified April 2026. Not financial or legal advice.
Disclaimer: Prices are indicative and vary by neighbourhood and individual lifestyle. Verify with local sources before relocating.