Lisbon vs Rome
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Lisbon is ~10% 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
Rome
Italy
COL+Rent
48.6
Rent Index
32.2
Groceries
58
Restaurant
55.1
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Lisbon | Rome | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,337 | $1,426 | $89 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,040 | $1,000 | +$40 |
| Groceries | $277 | $329 | $52 |
| Restaurant Meal | $15 | $18 | $3 |
| Transit Pass | $45 | $37 | +$8 |
| Utilities | $130 | $211 | $81 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Lisbon | Rome |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,469/mo | $1,550/mo |
| Typical | $2,014/mo | $2,273/mo |
| Comfortable | $2,495/mo | $2,823/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Lisbon | ≈ in Rome | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,664/mo | +$164 |
| $2,000/mo | $2,219/mo | +$219 |
| $3,000/mo | $3,329/mo | +$329 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Lisbon vs Rome for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Lisbon is approximately 10% more affordable than Rome when combining rent and daily living costs. Lisbon's COL+Rent Index of 43.8 vs Rome's 48.6 (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 $1,426/month in Rome — giving Lisbon a $89/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 Rome ($329/mo) reflect Lisbon's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $15 vs $18 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.