Lisbon vs Brisbane
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Lisbon is ~19% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Lisbon
Portugal
COL+Rent
43.8
Rent Index
30
Groceries
49.1
Restaurant
47.4
Brisbane
Australia
COL+Rent
54
Rent Index
38.3
Groceries
71.7
Restaurant
61.4
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Lisbon | Brisbane | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,337 | $1,702 | $365 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,040 | $1,270 | $230 |
| Groceries | $277 | $399 | $122 |
| Restaurant Meal | $15 | $21 | $6 |
| Transit Pass | $45 | $94 | $49 |
| Utilities | $130 | $141 | $11 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Lisbon | Brisbane |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,469/mo | $1,868/mo |
| Typical | $2,014/mo | $2,651/mo |
| Comfortable | $2,495/mo | $3,301/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Lisbon | ≈ in Brisbane | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,849/mo | +$349 |
| $2,000/mo | $2,466/mo | +$466 |
| $3,000/mo | $3,699/mo | +$699 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Lisbon vs Brisbane for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Lisbon is approximately 19% more affordable than Brisbane when combining rent and daily living costs. Lisbon's COL+Rent Index of 43.8 vs Brisbane's 54 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a meaningful difference that adds up over months of living expenses.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Lisbon costs $1,337/month versus $1,702/month in Brisbane — giving Lisbon a $365/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $4,380 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Lisbon ($277/mo) vs Brisbane ($399/mo) reflect Lisbon's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $15 vs $21 show Lisbon is the better value for dining out. For digital nomads and remote workers who eat out frequently, this difference compounds quickly.
Bottom line: If you earn in a strong currency (USD, EUR, GBP) and work remotely, Lisbon offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $2,014 buys a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings. Use the purchasing power table above to see exactly how far your specific budget stretches in each city.