Lisbon vs Copenhagen
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Lisbon is ~34% 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
Copenhagen
Denmark
COL+Rent
66.1
Rent Index
39
Groceries
85.8
Restaurant
115.3
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Lisbon | Copenhagen | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,337 | $1,951 | $614 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,040 | $1,465 | $425 |
| Groceries | $277 | $543 | $266 |
| Restaurant Meal | $15 | $33 | $18 |
| Transit Pass | $45 | $71 | $26 |
| Utilities | $130 | $216 | $86 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Lisbon | Copenhagen |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,469/mo | $2,264/mo |
| Typical | $2,014/mo | $3,276/mo |
| Comfortable | $2,495/mo | $4,172/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Lisbon | ≈ in Copenhagen | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $2,264/mo | +$764 |
| $2,000/mo | $3,018/mo | +$1,018 |
| $3,000/mo | $4,527/mo | +$1,527 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Lisbon vs Copenhagen for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Lisbon is approximately 34% more affordable than Copenhagen when combining rent and daily living costs. Lisbon's COL+Rent Index of 43.8 vs Copenhagen's 66.1 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a substantial gap that significantly impacts long-term savings and lifestyle quality.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Lisbon costs $1,337/month versus $1,951/month in Copenhagen — giving Lisbon a $614/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $7,368 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Lisbon ($277/mo) vs Copenhagen ($543/mo) reflect Lisbon's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $15 vs $33 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.