Cost of Living in Lisbon

Summary of cost of living in Lisbon, Portugal:

Restaurants
Edit Range
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant 13.25 € 10.00-20.00
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course 50.00 € 37.74-80.00
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal) 8.70 € 8.00-10.00
Domestic Beer (1 pint draught) 3.00 € 1.80-5.00
Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle) 4.00 € 2.00-6.00
Cappuccino (regular) 2.30 € 0.90-4.00
Coke/Pepsi (12 oz small bottle) 1.71 € 1.00-3.00
Water (12 oz small bottle) 1.19 € 1.00-2.00
Markets
Edit
Milk (regular), (1 gallon) 3.56 € 3.03-4.92
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (1 lb) 1.29 € 0.82-2.72
Rice (white), (1 lb) 0.64 € 0.45-0.91
Eggs (regular) (12) 2.79 € 1.80-3.60
Local Cheese (1 lb) 4.55 € 2.36-9.98
Chicken Fillets (1 lb) 3.24 € 1.72-4.08
Beef Round (1 lb) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) 5.50 € 2.81-7.26
Apples (1 lb) 0.99 € 0.45-1.36
Banana (1 lb) 0.62 € 0.45-1.36
Oranges (1 lb) 0.78 € 0.45-1.58
Tomato (1 lb) 1.00 € 0.45-1.36
Potato (1 lb) 0.78 € 0.35-1.41
Onion (1 lb) 0.78 € 0.45-1.22
Lettuce (1 head) 1.47 € 0.77-2.29
Water (1.5 liter bottle) 0.74 € 0.30-1.50
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) 5.00 € 3.00-8.00
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) 1.19 € 0.72-2.50
Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle) 2.55 € 0.90-4.00
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro) 5.50 € 5.00-6.00
Transportation
Edit
One-way Ticket (Local Transport) 2.00 € 1.60-2.50
Monthly Pass (Regular Price) 40.00 € 30.00-40.00
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) 3.70 € 3.25-4.50
Taxi 1 mile (Normal Tariff) 1.13 € 0.80-1.61
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) 15.00 € 14.80-25.00
Gasoline (1 gallon) 6.91 € 6.17-7.57
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) 30,000.00 € 28,000.00-30,000.00
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car) 33,561.74 € 32,000.00-34,380.00
Utilities (Monthly)
Edit
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 915 sq ft Apartment 135.92 € 85.00-200.00
Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data 23.10 € 15.00-31.50
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) 39.75 € 30.00-58.00
Sports And Leisure
Edit
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult 39.63 € 29.90-60.00
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend) 12.76 € 8.00-20.00
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat 8.00 € 7.00-12.00
Childcare
Edit
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child 525.76 € 400.00-800.00
International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child 13,450.71 € 7,000.00-19,420.00
Clothing And Shoes
Edit
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar) 76.03 € 30.00-120.00
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...) 34.30 € 15.00-50.00
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) 78.42 € 50.00-120.00
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes 99.32 € 57.00-180.00
Rent Per Month
Edit
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre 1,305.62 € 920.00-2,000.00
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre 906.96 € 700.00-1,400.00
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre 2,494.20 € 1,800.00-3,500.00
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre 1,636.17 € 1,200.00-2,500.00
Buy Apartment Price
Edit
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre 494.56 € 359.72-743.22
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre 300.22 € 185.80-418.06
Salaries And Financing
Edit
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) 1,153.65 €
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate 4.15 1.44-5.43

Prices in Lisbon

This city had 3406 entries in the past 12 months by 488 different contributors.
Last update: March 2024
Distribution of Expenses Using Our Statistical Model:
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42 Comments so far
Bodo on Jan 24, 2024:
And 90% of the environment is rotten. Housing is terrible, black mold, no heater and standards of an 4th world country. Pricing like in Monaco. The Health System is terrible too, after 2 years waisting my time here, I'll leave as soon as possible.
Miguel Monteiro on Jan 09, 2024:
I’m a very young guy from Portugal and I think this is very sad to see. I’m deslexical but I’m smart enough to understand that Andre Ventura should be de President. Antonio Costa needs to go back to his country(India).
Tom on Jan 04, 2024:
The net income figures aren't really correct. They don't reflect 14 salaries paid each year (instead of 12), or the fact that those in Lisbon get paid more than those in the provinces or the fact that salaries are topped up in various ways, with food subsidies. Often they are even topped up in cash!
Dmitry on Nov 24, 2023:
Having a net income of 3200/month and cutting on everything, we (family of 2) have a budget deficit of approximately 400-800 euros depending on season. Living on the edge of city centre. No car. Not paying for insurance.
Real estate rental prices are a big problem here.
George on Nov 14, 2023:
We moved from US west coast to Lisbon 2 months ago, and we have absolutely no regrets !
Anonymous on Oct 12, 2023:
I've been living in Lisbon for 5 years. We're a family of 3: a couple + 1 child. With 3,000€/3,500€ we have a good life here. We found a great rental for a 2 bedroom apartment and we don't pay medical insurance, but that's it.
Manish on Sep 18, 2023:
I am planning to move to Lisbon next month, I've got a job offer as a software developer in Lisbon the net pay is 1800 euro, as I discovered the cost of living in Lisbon my Salary will be hardly enough.
Anonymous on Sep 07, 2023:
Yeah, according to news published yesterday the salary of half of the portuguese people is not enough to pay expenses. And taxes are huge for those that work. Almost 50% of your salary.
Anonimous on Sep 04, 2023:
Lisbon is the most expensive city of the European Union. Don't be fooled. Life is really hard here.
Please note that it is the only city of the European Union where the "Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)" is lower than the cost of a monthly "Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre".
For a local, it is very difficult to get by each month.
Chris on May 30, 2023:
Possible move this fall. Net annual passive income $110,000.
Realistically how much should I expect to spend monthly in city center Lisbon?
Rent for 2 bedroom apartment
Food for one
Medical insurance
Gym
Local transport
Average meal with wine for two

Please be realistic.
Much appreciated
Martin Gonçalves on May 30, 2023:
Anonymous
The prices are really realistic here I live In Lisbon and is like that maybe u will have a problem of finding the best deal in Lisbon for a house because Lisbon Is overfilled
Anonymous on May 30, 2023:
Possible move this fall. Net annual passive income $110,000.
Realistically how much should I expect to spend monthly in city center Lisbon?
Rent for 2 bedroom apartment
Food for one
Medical insurance
Gym
Local transport
Average meal with wine for two

Please be realistic.
Much appreciated
Chris
Sara on Mar 17, 2023:
Jay, 3000€ in Lisbon is more than enough. You can live like a lord if you choose well ;)
Jay on Mar 04, 2023:
Considering moving from San Francisco to Lisbon. Semi-retired with pension. Probably will fully retire and move in the next 1 to 1/2 years and begin drawing my social security too. My total passive income after taxes will be about $4,100/ month (€3,850/month). I'm a single person and live in an apartment in San Francisco (rental) and with probably rent in Lisbon too. I will initially still keep my San Francisco apartment until I'm certain enough to give it up (rent control in SF so I'm only paying $1000/month; way below market price). Once I give up SF apartment, I could never move back. Does this sound doable given the current economic situation?
Anonymous on Nov 08, 2022:
10,000 euro won't even scratch the surface in Lisbon. It's even more expensive than Western Europe.Find a different country outside of Europe VAT VALUE ADDED TAXE currently being 21% on everything is a financial killer no win you could live like royalty anywhere in central America.All of south America taxes residual income at 33%.Or pick a state like Mississippi or Tennessee where living is cheap.
Anonymous on Oct 31, 2022:
I make about 10,000 euros of passive income. Will it be enough to live a decent life in Lisbon? Tired of living a poor life in San Francisco
Anonymous on Oct 07, 2022:
Now it is more and more expensive to live in Lisbon. It is a beautiful city where u could find almost anything u want from a South Europe city like sunshine, great food, wine, and history. But the cost of living is increasing quickly here, to be honest, that is unlikely to find a room below 300 euros downtown unless living in Bela vista and arroios(without water, gas, and electricity), both of them are horrible areas to live in. Because of the war, the price of food and energy sources are rising, sometimes the price changes twice a week. Anyway, I advise that think twice before u are going to move here, to compare with the cost of living, the salary is not good here. What is more, all the departments are very inefficient, but it is a not bad choice to enjoy life here.
Subi on Sep 30, 2022:
Follow ExpatlifePortugal in Instagram for tips about living in Portugal
Anonymous on Aug 10, 2022:
Portugal taxes are very high so whatever you make won't be very much after taxes.
Very high rent food transportation and utilities. I lived in Lisbon for 2 years so I know. Small towns in Portugal are a little cheaper but not by much. I left Portugal 3 months ago and I moved to Serbia.Everything is atleast,60% cheaper than anywhere in Portugal.Taxes in Portugal were 32% on my income but only 5.5 % on my income in Serbia now.I can live with that.
Nowfal Nazimudheen on May 17, 2022:
Hi,

I am planning to relocate from India to Lisbon (Portugal). We are 3 including my kid which is 7 years old son. How the expense in Lisbon will be? will get a monthly pay of EUR 3750. Can this enough to live in lisbon?
anonymous_network engineer on Apr 07, 2022:
Hello, I've been offered a job in Lisbon with39.000 € gross per year. I don't know what wil be my net montly salary after taxes.
Is it enought to live a confortable life in Lisbon?
Omen on Mar 12, 2022:
Well, this is my story after one year of living here. The truth is that I love this place, I feel really good here, I am from the Caribbean South American area, so staying close to the sea matters to me, Portugal is giving me this and way more, the weather here is better than any other European country during winter, food is good and people are nice, also you get to know a lot of people around the world since Portugal is well known as a touristic country. For nightlife, you don't even have to ask, party will come to you.

I earn 1.725 €/m (after taxes) and this is what I'm paying at the moment:
617 €/m - Rent (2 room apt, fully furniture and all basic stuff, I have not bought any appliance) + Building maintenance fee [Amadora (around 40 mins far from the city center Lisbon on a train)]
60 €/m - Internet (TV, 500MB, landline, mobile 10G plan)
21 €/m - Electricity
15 €/m - Water
4 €/m - Gas
40 €/m - Transportation
40 €/m - Gym fee
250 €/m - Food

I'm a single father so I have other expenses and still have a small room for saving and chilling out with friends. As someone else mentioned, I get the 2 salaries in Jun and Dec per law, I have a card for food which adds an additional 160 €/m to my income.
Rent is not cheap (Where actually it is?) but I think I'm paying a fair amount for all the stuff I have. Food is cheap.

In regards to taxes, they have a fixed tax table which tells you how much you have to pay based on your gross salary, being a citizen this oscillates around 32% and 36% for someone who earns around 35.000 €/y but here as a foreigner, you can apply to a benefit for 10 years that gives you a fixed tax rate of 20% so you end up paying less than a citizen.

I guess my story is different maybe because I have a decent salary? I still know people who earn the minimum wage however most of them are young and do not have many expenses, they even live in Lisbon where rent prices are really expensive, you need to move outside of the city center to find cheaper rent prices. For someone with a Family and earning a minimum wage, I don't doubt they'll struggle a lot to survive.

If you have a good salary in Lisbon, you can have a really good quality of life (Like in any other country in the world with good salary conditions), not going to be the same for someone with the minimum wage, but you can still live here.

I'm definitely staying here for a long time, actually in the next 2 years I'll make sure I get promoted at my job to increase my income, if not there then it will be in a different company. Something I did not mention is that Portugal is packed with IT, System Engineering, Management, and data analyst jobs, so if you move on these areas you'll have a well-paid salary for sure, nowadays Portugal is a nest for IT monsters such as Cisco, Oracle or Fortinet which have Offices here.

A lot of people are retiring here as well, the Golden visa scheme is very attractive since you don't get any taxes on international income and you still can make more money here.

Portugal is nice, is a cool place, I like it, not all the stories here are like mine, but I do feel happy in this place, if you want to move here, just do the math and come here if you can, the same math you'll have to do if you go to any other country in the world since you'll pay rent and taxes there if you're planning to stay and I'm sure none of these two will be cheap wherever you go.

I hope this gives an idea about the cost of living in Lisbon :)
Anonymous on Dec 03, 2021:
To Rakel Mason

Sounds like you're full of B.S. From Nepal working in Lisbon hum? Try another angle nobody in Nepal has an education let alone a degree.
Rakel Masun on Sep 29, 2021:
After living there for a while initially I'd say it is alright, but do mind that most people do not even earn 650€/m Yes if you're upper income you might earn a lot, but that is not true about everyday people, high incomers just make averages higher. I make 800€/m, I'm a foreigner from Nepal and after paying all my taxes, I have slightly less than 600€
Rent takes another 400€, I'm trying to find a new place, but it's very difficult. And I have not even started about cost of internet and other things, after a month I have 50-100€ left if I'm very careful, I eat out maybe once or twice a year and never spend more than my allowed budget.

A lot of homes there will cost you bare minimum 450€/m, you might find lower priced ones, but they might not allow foreigners or might be bad areas full of African Black, be very careful of them they mostly target dumb tourists, but might go after you too. I pay 400€, might sound a lot for someone making only 800€, but beggers can't be choosers. Only reason I work here is because I've come to like the country, made many friends and so on. As for foreign workers trying their luck here, just don't do it, like even if you expect you could send money home or whatever, dream on champ.

But yes, Portugal is a great place if you have a high income job or you can earn at least 1,5k€/m, many commenters are asking maybe they need 3k a month or something, that is not true unless you have some very luxurious place.
Vimalkumar Siyal on Aug 04, 2021:
I would like to stay and travel around for six months which time of year is good and what will be the cost in mid range .
Anonymous on Jul 08, 2021:
I live and work in Lisbon. Some seven years ago, rent was cheap. That changed drastically though. With it, you should think carefully about moving to Portugal. I give you an example of expenses. My income is €1700 before tax (€1181 after tax) plus €143 "food money" (tax free payment from the employer on a separate card for food purchases). I spend on average (a month) €25 on gas, €25 water, €55 electric, €40 public transport, €790 rent (in Lisbon). I also spend around €220 on food (excluding alcohol, take away and restaurant visits) which exceeds my food card payments, which means that the excess will also come out of my wages. Overall cost a month: €1012 - there's not much left a month...having said that, one receives two double payments (holiday and xmas pay) a year - usually around june and november. A lot of companies try to lure people from abroad to Portugal claiming that everything is extremely cheap, but that is not the case anymore. Booze (domestic) is indeed cheap, public transport too, if you like Portuguese cuisine (not my coppa tea, very salty and overcooked wherever you go) is also very affordable - but that's about it. Do your homework before moving over here, but if you do want to come, people are super friendly, weather is great (most of the time) and nightlife/cultural offerings en masse :)
Anonymous on Mar 12, 2021:
Anyone interested in staying or moving to Portugal might want to reevaluate the situation on new rates of taxable income hikes coming mid year. The new tax hikes are meant to absorb some of the losses with much reduced funding of schools roads etc plus major losses since UK left the EU.Fortunately our contracts ended sooner than later since the pandemic arrived.So we returned to the UK last week.This is going to be a trend anywhere in the euro zone upcoming so brace yourself for as much as a 50% hike in taxes on everything including real-estate as well.
Anonymous on Mar 01, 2021:
Yes the high rate of English is a positive thing but consider this before you decide to move there. The new VAT is 22 cents on the usd or euro for everything purchased.Rents are taxed if living in Lisbon at a luxury tax of 12 cents on the usd or euro as of January 1st 2021.These are things to seriously consider before moving to Lisbon.Furthermore anything within 25 miles of Lisbon proper has the same VAT. If you intend on having an online business a flat tax of 29 cents on the usd or euro will be levied depending upon how much you make. Property owners aren't abliged to inform renters of additional VAT passed onto renters.Since 2020 basically ruined the economy throughout Portugal and the government used up reserves they had the new VAT was mandatory to offset losses. Just a good piece of honest advice because I live in Lisbon.
Dick on Feb 25, 2021:
wife and I are looking at Lisbon as one possible place to retire but still work my website and blog.
I was there in 1975 and loved it.
The high rate of English speakers was a positive factor.
Anonymous on Feb 10, 2021:
Hey people " EDUARDO " lives in Moscow not in Portugal never has. Just another Trol getting 20 Rub for each response he gets on here pay no attention to the liar.
Anonymous on Jan 25, 2021:
Current infections 4,338 in the past 7 days 3,896 deaths so far total 27,386 deaths and the numbers are steadily climbing daily with no end in sight which is great.
Anonymous on Jan 25, 2021:
I'm from the UK and I lived in Lisbon for 1 year 2019.I must say the negative comments about Portugal are quite in order. People don't hate other countries for the most part but instead just Portugal. Portugal is the portal for major corruption throughout government and citizens. I understand why you bloaks in Portugal do the devious things you do throughout each day of your menial lives. You don't know how to create anything substantial on your own because you don't have the mindset to accomplish anything positive.You are what you are with wrecklous,abandon.Covid19 is helping Portugal rapidly with its nonworth which is in order too. Western Europe sees Portugal as a cull meaning a lame animal deseasing the entire herd.But culls are quite common throughout Portugal which spells out inadequacies as to the natural makeup of their own personas.
Eduardo on Jan 24, 2021:
@Portugal on Dec 08, 2020: You're stupid too and we don't say anything, just stop the hate man.

@all Anonymous comments on Dec 23, Dec 29, and Jan 13, 2021: I guess your lives are so insignificant to even show your real names.

I'm living in Lisbon right now and know people who are living with less than the minimum wage (EUR 700) and they live good, taxes are everywhere, but if you are foreign and you get residence in Portugal, you can get a flat rate price on taxes which is way less than what citizens pay, they have good options for foreigners in taxes and also if you buy a home here.

@Domingo: You can live comfortably here in Lisbon with that income, I'm new here and I know you can get a good rental price now due to covid, prices have lowered a lot.

@John: you know nothing about corruption man, just keep your comments for you, have you lived in South America? Colombia? Brazil? Venezuela? I am pretty sure you don't even know we have 7 continents.

@Salman Mirza: Yes you can live with 1k euros here, if you move outside of Lisbon, you can find a good place in Oeiras, Amadora, Queluz, and others, Lisbon is somehow expensive.

@Anton: Ok then stay in France.

People come here to have an idea where to live, and also have recommendations, If you can't give good comments or help other people, then stay away from here and continue with nonsense life.
Anonymous on Jan 10, 2021:
Lisbon's life cost is high at the moment as tourism is on the rise (or it was before covid).
There are surrounding cities such as Almada where you'd be closer to beach, to Lisbon and pay way less for rent for a luv living. It's a beautiful place to retire as you have the beauty of a country's capital but much cheaper than most of European ones.
Anonymous on Dec 29, 2020:
Ahhh Maderia Island has been destroyed by flooding plus the rest of Portugal isn't fairing much better.All of Portugal is way over priced and the euro is rapidly losing value,superb.
Anonymous on Dec 23, 2020:
Portugal is way overated,and foreigners that move to Portugal rarely stay very long.
Portugal on Dec 08, 2020:
People are so stupid, asking if they'd live well with 2000, 3000EUR/month.
Of course you will ffs, the average salary is 1000 on numbeo (actually, people earn way less, more about 850 net). You will earn the double or triple, what else do you want, 10K?
Domingo on Nov 20, 2020:
Hello,

I'm planning to retire earlier with an income of US 3,000.00 a month. I love the beach and must be in a beach town. Any suggestions for Lisbon or nearby cities? would I be able to live comfortably with my income?
John on Nov 15, 2020:
Low wages, high prices, high rents, most jobs pay minimum wage, government corruption, high taxes, a lot of social inequality and robbery. Make no mistake, this is one of the poorest countries in Europe. 1000€ is the minimum required to live in Lisbon.
Salman Mirza on Oct 06, 2020:
Hi there..
I am thinking to move to portugal for work. If i get aroung 1k € salary per month would that be enough to live with rent, food and transportation? Please help me to understand guys if i can get hostel or any cheap room in porto or lisbon
Anton on Sep 18, 2020:
I love numbeo but I don't get it:
many prices here are LITTERALLY the same as in Paris or cheaper places in France, yet the calculation indicates that Lisboa is half price. How does it get that data??? 1 euro+ for a coffee? Same in Paris, it's 0.8 -> 1.5 (excluding lux places) Rent is the same (using numbeo numbers). So basically food is a bit cheaper, weather groceries or restaurants, and some other commoditites. But I/// don't trust numbeo's calculations anymore.

Thought?
Eduardo Guzman on May 24, 2020:
Hello there, I got a job offer for $2500 euros monthly gross, but I'd like to know how much would be my net salary. Using some online tax calculator says that I'll get around $1900 euros after taxes, however deductions could be less if I apply for a NHR benefit. Is this enough for 2 people and 1 kid? Rent in Lisbon is somehow expensive like everywhere, don't know why there is a lot of people crying for that here, wherever you go, you'll see rent taking all salaries down, in some countries can be a bit less, but I'm way sure wherever you go if you're foreign, you'll be paying in renting the most of your salary, this applies to every country even in the third world countries.

Can we live comfortably with $1900 a month? (two people and one kid) and maybe save some money? according to Numbeo 4 people costs around $1900 without rent, using this number, deducting two members and adding rent, it seems I'll be surviving instead of living a normal life, I might be wrong and this is why I come here to ask and have a better idea.

Any advice is greatly appreciated, thank you!