City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $1,500/month?
Rio de Janeiro vs Lisbon — Budget Breakdown
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · April 2026
Feasibility
Rio de Janeiro
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 22.1 (NYC=100)
$1,500/mo comfortably covers expenses in Rio de Janeiro.
Lisbon
Tight Budget
COL+Rent: 43.8 (NYC=100)
$1,500/mo barely covers basics in Lisbon.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Rio de Janeiro | Lisbon | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $637 | $892 | $255 |
| Groceries | $392 | $208 | +$184 |
| Dining Out | $194 | $135 | +$59 |
| Transportation | $79 | $34 | +$45 |
| Utilities | $103 | $98 | +$5 |
| Other / Misc | $95 | $133 | $38 |
| Total | $1,500 | $1,500 | — |
Purchasing Power
Rio de Janeiro
$1,500
per month
Lisbon equivalent
$2,973
per month
You'd need $2,973/mo in Lisbon to match $1,500/mo in Rio de Janeiro.
Other Budget Levels
FAQ
Can I live in Rio de Janeiro on $1,500/month?
Living in Rio de Janeiro on $1,500/mo is rated "Comfortable". Budget allocates ~$637 to rent, $392 to groceries, $194 to dining.
Can I live in Lisbon on $1,500/month?
In Lisbon, $1,500/mo is rated "Tight Budget". Allocations: $892 rent, $208 groceries, $135 dining.
Is Rio de Janeiro or Lisbon cheaper?
Rio de Janeiro is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Rio de Janeiro 22.1 vs Lisbon 43.8 (NYC=100).
What is $1,500/mo in Rio de Janeiro worth in Lisbon?
$1,500/mo of purchasing power in Rio de Janeiro equals ~$2,973/mo in Lisbon using COL adjustment.