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With rents 40% lower than Paris and meals for €13, Lisbon’s 2026 cost of living shocks first-time visitors.
Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, has recorded an immense surge in population in the recent decade. Its fascinating architecture and unique culture astonish visitors. Plus, it has great weather and friendly locals, which compel many people to plan to live here.
Keep in mind that living in Lisbon will be a bit harsh on your budget. So, if you plan a short-term vacation or permanently shift to this city, you must know the cost of living in Lisbon in 2026.
Let us highlight the paramount expenses you must know, such as housing, utilities, groceries, dining out, etc.
What Is The Cost Of Living In Lisbon, Portugal?
The average cost of living in Lisbon is higher than in other parts of Portugal. Despite this, it is somewhat affordable compared to numerous European cities.
According to Numbeo data, the monthly cost of living in Lisbon for an individual ranges from €2,000 to €2,700. This is not a strict figure, as the value is also dependent on lifestyle.
This basic cost includes rent, groceries, utilities, transport, and leisure activities. Anyone who spends wisely will have lower expenditures, and they can manage numerous things on a small budget.
It can be in the range of €1,200–€1,400, but this requires you to live in a reasonable area or share accommodation with others.
Are you moving to Lisbon with a partner or family? If yes, your living expenses in Lisbon will naturally increase. A couple living in a small apartment or house can spend €3,000 to €4,000 per month. Similarly, a family of four will demand around €4,000 to €5,500 monthly.
Cost of Living in Lisbon: A Breakdown
Let’s start by looking into the breakdown of the cost of living in Lisbon:
Housing and Renting in Lisbon
Renting in Lisbon is one of the massive expenses in the cost of living in Lisbon. It is variable depending on where you decide to live in the city. Rental prices in Lisbon are higher than in smaller Portuguese towns. However, compared to cities such as Paris or New York, it is quite affordable.
Here is an outline of the average rent in Lisbon Portugal in 2026, according to Numbeo:
- 1-bedroom apartment in the city center: €1,402.26
- 1-bedroom apartment outside the city center: €1,075.98
- 3-bedroom apartment in the city center: €2,603.42
- 3-bedroom apartment outside the city center: €1,767.51
But what would the cost be if you plan to buy an apartment in Lisbon? The cost of living in Lisbon per square meter in the city center starts at €6,425.07. If you decide to live outside the city center, the price is cut back to €3,761.11 per square meter.
Let’s say you plan to live in a Metropolitan area like Cadaval or Sintra. The rent would be €1,204.00 and €2,560.00, respectively. However, if you move to the city center, like Campo de Ourique, the prices will go up to €6,219.00.
Renting in Lisbon? Location is key. Right in the city’s heart, especially near busy tourist areas or subway stops. Prices shoot up. Average rent in Lisbon Portugal is about €22.10/m2, while in Misericórdia, it is €26.50 with an expected rental yield of 4.9%.
Here’s the thing: move just a little farther out, and rents will drop fast. A quieter neighborhood a few stops from the center can save you a ton without sacrificing much convenience.
Utilities and Internet
Living expenses in Lisbon such as Utilities are fairly affordable. Basic services such as electricity, water, and garbage collection cost around €127.07 per month for an 85m² apartment.
Moving on from the basic utilities, mobile phone and internet services are also notable expenses to consider. For a mobile phone plan with calls and 10GB+ of data, you must pay about €18.39 per month.
Internet services for a plan with 60 Mbps or more and unlimited data cost a minimum of €36.13 per month. The cost of living in Lisbon is quite reasonable compared with other European capitals.
Grocery Cost of Living in Lisbon
Here is a plus point of living in Lisbon: grocery prices are relatively affordable if you shop from the local markets and shop for seasonal products.
Let us take a look at the average of Lisbon Portugal cost of living with some common grocery items in 2026:
Individuals can expect a weekly grocery shop cost of living in Lisbon between €4 and €60. If you live with a small family, your bill can go up to €80–€120 per week.
Dining Out
Lisbon is highly popular owing to its food culture, and dining out can be as affordable or as luxurious as you want it to be.
You might be craving a traditional Portuguese meal or international cuisine. No matter what your taste buds desire, you will find many options at all price points.
But is Lisbon expensive for dining out? These are the average prices for Lisbon Portugal cost of living when it comes to dining out in the city:
- Inexpensive meal at a local restaurant: €13
- Three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant: €55
- Combo meal at McDonald’s or similar: €9
Coffee lovers would praise Lisbon as a place where they can obtain their daily coffee fix on a tight budget. A regular cappuccino will cost around €2.44, and a fizzy beverage like Coke (0.33L) will cost around €1.87.
Do you want to have a beer with dinner with me? A local beer (0.5L) is €3, and an imported one (0.33L) is about €3.00. Lisbon food is inexpensive and great, so you can dine well without breaking the bank.
Transport in Lisbon
Lisbon has a well-organized and cheap transport system. Most of the population travels by public transport, including buses, trams, and the metro.
A monthly pass costs €42.50, which includes metro, trams, and buses. Visitors occasionally pay approximately €1.50 for a single bus or metro trip.
Taxis and ride-sharing services such as Uber are also common. The price of a standard taxi ride within the city center ranges from €6 to €10.
Gasoline is about €1.70 a liter for car owners, and parking within the city center is extremely expensive and hard to come by. Cycling is also common, and cycling hire costs about €15 a day.
Considering its convenience, public transport is the most practical option for most people and is definitely a key factor in the overall price of living in Lisbon Portugal.
Healthcare in Lisbon and Medical Costs
Healthcare in Lisbon is accessible and affordable. The public healthcare system provides services at low costs to residents. For instance, a doctor’s visit at a public facility will cost between €5 and €20. Some services require small co-payments.
Private healthcare is also available, but the consultation fees can be slightly higher. It ranges from €50–€100 per visit. Private health insurance plans are available for €30–€50 per month. Prescription medication is inexpensive, as government subsidies are available on common drugs.
Lisbon’s healthcare options are suitable for people coming from different financial backgrounds. It provides public and private care.
Education in Lisbon
Your kids may choose between public and private education. Public schools are free for children between the ages of 6 and 18, and the quality is usually satisfactory. Their interests lie mainly in studies and activities.
Private schools have fewer pupils per class and focused programs, but they come at a cost. They usually range between €300 and €1,000 per month.
International schools are also provided, where the tuition fee is €6,000 to €10,000 per annum.
Various universities provide higher education. Public tuition for Portuguese students costs between €1,000 and €1,500 a year, but international students might pay more.
Recreation and Entertainment
Lisbon is a culture—and entertainment-hungry nation. The city has many museums and historical monuments that are easily accessible with minimal entry fees.
You will have to pay anywhere between €5 and €10. Popular landmarks like the Jerónimos Monastery and Belém Tower will be more expensive.
Are you an outdoor lover? Lisbon has beautiful parks and viewpoints, many of which are free to visit. The nightlife in Lisbon is fascinating, as bar drinks charge from €3 to €5, and club entry fees go from €10 to €20.
Cinema tickets are around €8. Lisbon also hosts an array of cultural festivals throughout the year, so you will have a plethora of entertainment options.
Shopping in Lisbon
Among the cost of living in Lisbon, we cannot forget the shopping expenses. Lisbon has a wide array of shopping venues, ranging from designer boutiques on Avenida da Liberdade to local shops in Chiado.
For casual wear, one should shop at H&M and Zara, where jeans are about €89.25. Summer dresses cost €34.33.
For food lovers, Lisbon’s markets, such as the Time Out Market, provide a good collection of fresh local produce and artisanal goods. Sportswear, such as Nike running shoes, is available for €78.31.
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Cost of Living in Lisbon vs Porto
Cost of living in Lisbon is generally higher than living in Porto, and you can feel the difference most strongly in housing and everyday expenses. According to current Numbeo figures, the overall cost of living plus rent index in Lisbon sits around 47.1, while in Porto it’s closer to 40.6, meaning you’d need roughly €4,660 in Lisbon to match a €4,000 lifestyle in Porto at the same level of comfort.
Even before you factor in rent, everyday basics like groceries and eating out tend to be a bit pricier in Lisbon. Porto feels more relaxed on the wallet for things like food, transport and local services, and this difference becomes clearer when you stack up monthly budgets.
But the real gap shows in housing. A one-bedroom flat in central Lisbon can cost around 25–30% more in rent than the same place in Porto, and even outside the centre Lisbon is noticeably pricier. Buying property also reflects this trend, with prices per square metre running significantly higher in Lisbon’s core areas.
Cost of Living in Lisbon vs Other Parts of Portugal
Living expenses in Lisbon is usually noticeably more expensive than in many other parts of Portugal, especially when you compare it to cities like Coimbra or Aveiro. While everyday expenses like food, transport and utilities are fairly similar across the country, Lisbon’s higher housing costs push the overall cost of living up.
For example, general cost-of-living data shows that price of living in Lisbon Portugal (including rent) is significantly higher than in smaller cities. In a place like Coimbra, which is known for its student population and more relaxed pace, both rent and everyday costs are lower — it’s common to see rents in Coimbra come in 35–40% below Lisbon for similar apartments. Aveiro, with its canals and coastal charm, also tends to be more affordable than Lisbon, with housing costs 30%-35% lower and many daily expenses sitting somewhere between Coimbra and the capital.
Because Lisbon is the economic and cultural hub, demand for housing and services is stronger, which keeps prices up. In contrast, Coimbra and Aveiro offer a more budget-friendly lifestyle without sacrificing the quality of urban living — groceries, cafes, and local transport often cost a little less, and rent in particular can be a big advantage if you’re trying to live on a tighter budget.
Cost of Living in Lisbon vs USA
For those seeking to relocate to Portugal, living expenses in Lisbon are significantly more affordable than in Washington, D.C. According to Numbeo, the overall cost of living in Lisbon is about 38% lower. When including rent, the difference jumps to around 42%.
For example, a monthly budget (excluding rent) for a single person in Lisbon would be around €740, while in Washington, D.C. it’s closer to €1,200.
Rent is one of the biggest savings. A one-bedroom apartment in Lisbon city center averages around €1,450 per month, while the same in D.C. can cost over €2,350. Even outside the city center, Lisbon stays more affordable, averaging about €1,050 compared to over €1,900 in D.C.
This makes Lisbon particularly attractive for remote workers or retirees with foreign income.
Dining out and groceries are also cheaper in Lisbon. A meal at a mid-range restaurant for two might cost €50 in Lisbon, compared to €85 in Washington, D.C. Grocery staples like milk, bread, and fruits can be up to 40-50% cheaper.
However, it’s worth noting that local salaries in Lisbon are significantly lower, so while it’s cost-effective for expats, the local purchasing power is also more limited. See the complete comparison between the cost of living in Portugal vs USA.
Cost of Living in Lisbon vs UK
British considering moving to Portugal, when comparing the cost of living between Lisbon and London, Lisbon offers a more affordable lifestyle across various categories.
According to Numbeo, the overall cost of living in Lisbon is approximately 38.3% lower than in London, excluding rent. When including rent, the difference increases to 41.1% in favor of Lisbon.
Housing plays a significant role in this disparity. Rent prices in Lisbon are about 45.3% lower than in London. For instance, a one-bedroom apartment in the city center of Lisbon averages €1,402.30 per month, whereas in London, it’s approximately €2,599.78. This substantial difference in housing costs contributes greatly to the overall affordability of Lisbon.
Other everyday expenses also tend to make the price of living in Lisbon Portugal lower. Restaurant prices are about 38.7% less, and groceries are approximately 27.1% cheaper compared to London.
However, it’s important to note that local purchasing power in Lisbon is 43.1% lower than in London, indicating that average salaries are also lower. Therefore, while expenses are reduced, income levels may also be comparatively less.
Immigration and Visa Options for Moving to Portugal
Portugal offers a range of visa options for individuals looking to relocate, whether for retirement, remote work, entrepreneurship, or investment. Here are the main types:
Portugal D7 Visa
The D7 Visa is perfect for retirees or individuals with passive income. To qualify, as of 2026, you need to show a minimum regular monthly income of around €920 and prove you can support yourself without employment in Portugal. It’s a great option for those looking to enjoy a relaxed lifestyle in a beautiful and welcoming country.
Portugal D8 Visa – Digital Nomad Visa
The D8, or Digital Nomad Visa, is designed for remote workers and freelancers earning at least €3,680 per month. It allows you to live in Portugal while working remotely for a non-Portuguese employer or managing your own business online. It’s ideal for digital professionals who want a European base with a great quality of life.
Portugal D2 Visa
The D2 Visa is for entrepreneurs and independent professionals who want to start or expand a business in Portugal. It offers a residence permit initially valid for up to two years, with the possibility of renewal. This visa suits anyone ready to invest in the Portuguese economy and build a future here.
Portugal Golden Visa
The Golden Visa, officially known as the Residence Permit for Investment Activity (ARI), offers residency through investment. While the rules have changed recently, popular options still include:
- Investment Funds: Invest a minimum of €500,000 in a qualified Portuguese investment or venture capital fund.
- Cultural Support: Donate at least €250,000 to support national heritage, arts, or culture (reduced to €200,000 in low-density areas).
- Scientific Research: Contribute €500,000 to public or private scientific research (or €400,000 in low-density regions).
- Business Creation: Start a business that creates at least 10 jobs (or 8 jobs in low-density areas).
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Lisbon for a single person?
The cost of living in Lisbon for singles averages €1,800/month, including rent. Budget €600-€900 for a central studio, €300 for groceries, and €40 for transport. You’ll save 30-40% on daily expenses compared to Paris or London.
How much does a family need to live comfortably?
A family of four needs €3,800-€4,200 monthly to live in Lisbon. This covers a 3-bedroom apartment (€1,500+), international school fees (€800-€1,200), and leisure. Public schools are free but Portuguese-language only.
Is Lisbon more affordable than other European capitals?
Yes! The cost of living in Lisbon is 25% lower than Madrid and 40% cheaper than Paris. Rent is your biggest expense, but food, transport, and healthcare offer exceptional value.
What salary provides a good life in Lisbon?
Aim for €2,000/month after tax for a comfortable cost of living in Lisbon. Local salaries average €1,200, so many expats use remote work or savings.
Is Lisbon expensive to live in?
Lisbon is one of the most expensive cities in Portugal, mainly because housing costs are high. Still, it’s generally cheaper than many Western European capitals like London or Paris. Everyday costs (food, transport, utilities) are reasonable, but rent pushes the total cost up significantly.
How much is the average rent in Lisbon?
A one-bedroom apartment (T1) in central Lisbon often averages around €1,000–€1,420 per month, though cheaper options exist further out or in shared flats. Studios or smaller places can start lower (~€700–€900), but they’re less common and often snapped up quickly.
Can you live on €1,000 a month in Lisbon?
It’s possible, but it would be tight—especially if rent is included. Without rent, a monthly budget of around €700–€800 can realistically cover essentials such as food, transport, and utilities. However, if rent is included, €1,000 would typically only be enough for a shared room or a very small studio in more affordable areas, rather than a standard one-bedroom apartment.
Is it better to rent or buy in Lisbon?
Renting is better if you want flexibility and lower upfront costs. Buying can make sense if you’re planning to stay long term and can afford the initial investment, as property in Lisbon has shown strong long-term growth.
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