Lisbon vs Chicago
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Lisbon is ~23% 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
Chicago
United States
COL+Rent
57.1
Rent Index
44
Groceries
72.9
Restaurant
73.7
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Lisbon | Chicago | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,337 | $1,998 | $661 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,040 | $1,566 | $526 |
| Groceries | $277 | $418 | $141 |
| Restaurant Meal | $15 | $22 | $7 |
| Transit Pass | $45 | $73 | $28 |
| Utilities | $130 | $169 | $39 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Lisbon | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,469/mo | $2,189/mo |
| Typical | $2,014/mo | $2,988/mo |
| Comfortable | $2,495/mo | $3,701/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Lisbon | ≈ in Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,955/mo | +$455 |
| $2,000/mo | $2,607/mo | +$607 |
| $3,000/mo | $3,911/mo | +$911 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Lisbon vs Chicago for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Lisbon is approximately 23% more affordable than Chicago when combining rent and daily living costs. Lisbon's COL+Rent Index of 43.8 vs Chicago's 57.1 (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 $1,998/month in Chicago — giving Lisbon a $661/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $7,932 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Lisbon ($277/mo) vs Chicago ($418/mo) reflect Lisbon's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $15 vs $22 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.