Cost of Living in Lisbon, Portugal

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How Much Does It Cost to Live In Lisbon?

Lisbon is the capital of Portugal, and as such, the most important and probably the most expensive place in Portugal you can wind up in.

It is one of the rare Western European cities that faces the ocean and this is something that largely defines the city.

Lisbon, in the last 4-5 years has seen an increase in tourism and startups investment.

This is what made Lisbon a very appealing city, but this also meant a price increase on just about about everything. The salaries, however, are not on a rise – unless you move jobs.

RESTAURANTS

In an archaic and historical city like this, it would be a sin not to stop and have a lunch at local restaurants that the city is riddled with. Here, you can have a three-course lunch for two people at a mid-range restaurant for around 39$, which is not too much for such a pleasure. Eating at an inexpensive restaurant will cost you around 9$ per person.

MARKETS

Grocery shopping and supermarkets are fairly cheap compared to most other European capitals. In Lisbon, you can go to the market and see the amazing variety of tropical fruit and other goods. You can also always buy fresh fish on Lisbon’s open markets. There are also many supermarkets where you can load up on goodies and cook at home.

TRANSPORTATION

Most people living in Lisbon complain about public transport, but in reality it’s not the public transport that’s bad but the traffic. Most people prefer to drive to work instead of taking public transport, but you have trains passing by every 20 minutes and buses are regular. A one-way ticket by bus costs around 1.70$, while a monthly pass for public transport costs 40$.

UTILITIES (MONTHLY)

Utilities are very cheap in Lisbon – especially since most people would expect the prices in Portugal’s capital to be through the roof! In an apartment for two people, of about 85m2 in size, all basic utilities like electricity, gas, heating, cooling, garbage services and water cost just a bit above 108$. Internet is rather inexpensive too, costing around 35$.

SPORTS & LEISURE

With Lisbon’s unique beauty, there are many opportunities for outdoorsy activities and it’s a pleasure to go swimming, running or hiking wherever you set your mind to. There are also many cinemas, theaters and other leisure opportunities, and a ticket for a movie in a cinema will cost you around 7$. If you’re more into practicing sports indoors, fitness club membership is a bit expensive – around 40$.

CLOTHING & SHOES

It’s not all about Lisbon’s outdoor beauties – it also has a plethora of shopping malls and many shops where you can stroll into and take a glance at some gorgeous pieces of clothing. It also has many independent shops where you can buy unique clothes. However, the prices aren’t low. You’ll have to pay up to 90$ for quality jeans, while running sneakers of quality brands cost around 80$.

RENT PER MONTH

Rents in Lisbon are definitely expensive. Rent for minimal condition places to live in start at 570$ for an inexpensive place. It will, of course, be more expensive in the heart of the city – around 970$ and more. If you’re a student and want to rent a room, that will cost you around 230–280$ a month.

Cost of Living Averages Table for Lisbon

How Does the Average Person Spend Their Money in Lisbon?

The situation is significantly different in Lisbon when it comes to the question of how the average person spends their money.

Here, the biggest part of one’s income is spent on rent, since in Lisbon – it is truly expensive, more so than in any other place in Portugal.

Food is the second biggest expense for the people of Lisbon, and this is understandable since it’s pretty necessary and you can’t live without it.

Transportation and eating in restaurants are equally as important to the citizens of Lisbon and they spend a significant amount of money on both.

Utilities have a rather low percentage on this pie chart of expenses, while clothing is, as always, the least of all expenses.

Average Costs Breakdown

Lisbon: Average Salary, Minimum Wage & Mortgages

Salaries are relatively okay, though renting in Lisbon is way too expensive.

Salaries are good for the IT sector where you can count on a salary between 1300$ and 1800$ depending on how well you perform.

Average monthly net salary in Lisbon is definitely higher than what is considered the country’s average, and with 990$ a month, you can be relaxed and live a comfortable life in this gorgeous city.

The salaries in Portugal (and Lisbon, of course) are paid 14 times: 13th month is usually paid in August and the 14th in December.

Even with the minimum wage here, you can cover all your necessary living expenses and not worry about tomorrow.

Lisbon Safety Overview

READ THE FULL REPORT: Lisbon Safety Review

Safety Index:

81

• OVERALL RISK: LOW
• TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
• PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
• NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
• MUGGING RISK: LOW
• TERRORISM RISK: LOW
• SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
• WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

Cost of Living by City in Lisbon