Lisbon vs Calgary
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Lisbon is ~8% 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
Calgary
Canada
COL+Rent
47.7
Rent Index
33.6
Groceries
62.9
Restaurant
57.8
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Lisbon | Calgary | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,337 | $1,481 | $144 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,040 | $1,178 | $138 |
| Groceries | $277 | $353 | $76 |
| Restaurant Meal | $15 | $19 | $4 |
| Transit Pass | $45 | $79 | $34 |
| Utilities | $130 | $137 | $7 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Lisbon | Calgary |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,469/mo | $1,717/mo |
| Typical | $2,014/mo | $2,335/mo |
| Comfortable | $2,495/mo | $2,913/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Lisbon | ≈ in Calgary | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,634/mo | +$134 |
| $2,000/mo | $2,178/mo | +$178 |
| $3,000/mo | $3,267/mo | +$267 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Lisbon vs Calgary for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Lisbon is approximately 8% more affordable than Calgary when combining rent and daily living costs. Lisbon's COL+Rent Index of 43.8 vs Calgary's 47.7 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a relatively small gap, meaning the decision between these cities often comes down to lifestyle preferences rather than pure cost.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Lisbon costs $1,337/month versus $1,481/month in Calgary — giving Lisbon a $144/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, the rent difference is modest and may be offset by other cost categories.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Lisbon ($277/mo) vs Calgary ($353/mo) reflect Lisbon's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $15 vs $19 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.