Lisbon vs Dammam
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Dammam is ~46% 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
Dammam
Saudi Arabia
COL+Rent
23.7
Rent Index
10.1
Groceries
35
Restaurant
28.3
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Lisbon | Dammam | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,337 | $379 | +$958 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,040 | $266 | +$774 |
| Groceries | $277 | $247 | +$30 |
| Restaurant Meal | $15 | $11 | +$4 |
| Transit Pass | $45 | $26 | +$19 |
| Utilities | $130 | $65 | +$65 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Lisbon | Dammam |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,469/mo | $574/mo |
| Typical | $2,014/mo | $882/mo |
| Comfortable | $2,495/mo | $1,153/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Lisbon | ≈ in Dammam | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $812/mo | -$688 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,082/mo | -$918 |
| $3,000/mo | $1,623/mo | -$1,377 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Lisbon vs Dammam for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Dammam is approximately 46% more affordable than Lisbon when combining rent and daily living costs. Lisbon's COL+Rent Index of 43.8 vs Dammam's 23.7 (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 $379/month in Dammam — giving Dammam a $958/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $11,496 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Lisbon ($277/mo) vs Dammam ($247/mo) reflect Dammam's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $15 vs $11 show Dammam offers cheaper dining. 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, Dammam offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $882 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.