✦ Cost of living
Lisbon
Lisbon, Portugal
US = 100
In plain terms: Lisbon is about 3% cheaper than a typical US city. A one-bedroom in the centre runs around $1,300/month.
▤ Category breakdown
Index vs the US average — the line marks 100. Lower is cheaper.
- Housing118+18%
- Food & groceries92−8%
- Transport70−30%
- Utilities100−0%
- Healthcare75−25%
- Goods & services92−8%
About
Sunny, hilly and the poster child for the digital-nomad wave — locals feel priced out as rents climb.
- Currency
- Euro · EUR
- Languages
- Portuguese
- Coordinates
- 38.72, -9.14
- Emergency
- 112
What things cost
Taxes
48%
Income tax
progressive
23%
VAT / sales
21%
Corporate
28%
Capital gains
$1,300
Avg net salary
per month
IFICI ('NHR 2.0') gives tax breaks to some skilled newcomers.
Visas & residency
D8 digital-nomad and D7 passive-income visas; a top relocation destination.
✈ Schengen 90/180 for many passports.
Remote workers.
Permanent residence after ~5 yrs. Citizenship after ~5 yrs.
Quality of life
Safety
68/100
Healthcare
76/100
Pollution
40/100
Internet
200 Mbps
Jan avg
+11 °C
Jul avg
+23 °C
Sunny days
260/yr
Walkability
82/100
Relocation & documents
Coming soonWhere to look
Updated: 2026-08-14 · Sources: Cost/quality survey (placeholder) · National tax authority / OECD (headline figures)
? Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to live in Lisbon, PT?
Lisbon, PT's cost-of-living index is 97 (US average = 100) — about 3% cheaper than a typical US city. A one-bedroom apartment in the centre costs around $1,300 per month.
What is the average rent in Lisbon, PT?
A one-bedroom in the city centre averages about $1,300 per month, and around $950 outside the centre.
What taxes would I pay in Portugal?
Portugal has a top income-tax rate of 48% and a VAT or sales tax of 23%. See the taxes section above for the full breakdown.
What is the weather like in Lisbon, PT?
Lisbon, PT averages around +11 °C in January and +23 °C in July, with roughly 260 sunny days a year.
❖ Compare Lisbon with…
Estimates use approximate cost-of-living indices (US average = 100) and are for general guidance only.