Sydney vs Lisbon
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Lisbon is ~37% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Sydney
Australia
COL+Rent
69.7
Rent Index
54.9
Groceries
86.8
Restaurant
78.3
Lisbon
Portugal
COL+Rent
43.8
Rent Index
30
Groceries
49.1
Restaurant
47.4
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Sydney | Lisbon | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $2,442 | $1,337 | +$1,105 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,822 | $1,040 | +$782 |
| Groceries | $483 | $277 | +$206 |
| Restaurant Meal | $25 | $15 | +$10 |
| Transit Pass | $114 | $45 | +$69 |
| Utilities | $171 | $130 | +$41 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Sydney | Lisbon |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $2,545/mo | $1,469/mo |
| Typical | $3,585/mo | $2,014/mo |
| Comfortable | $4,423/mo | $2,495/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Sydney | ≈ in Lisbon | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $943/mo | -$557 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,257/mo | -$743 |
| $3,000/mo | $1,885/mo | -$1,115 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Sydney vs Lisbon for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Lisbon is approximately 37% more affordable than Sydney when combining rent and daily living costs. Sydney's COL+Rent Index of 69.7 vs Lisbon's 43.8 (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 Sydney costs $2,442/month versus $1,337/month in Lisbon — giving Lisbon a $1,105/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $13,260 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Sydney ($483/mo) vs Lisbon ($277/mo) reflect Lisbon's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $25 vs $15 show Lisbon 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, 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.