Vienna vs Lisbon
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Lisbon is ~21% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Vienna
Austria
COL+Rent
55.3
Rent Index
30.6
Groceries
81.3
Restaurant
82.2
Lisbon
Portugal
COL+Rent
43.8
Rent Index
30
Groceries
49.1
Restaurant
47.4
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Vienna | Lisbon | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,391 | $1,337 | +$54 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,068 | $1,040 | +$28 |
| Groceries | $487 | $277 | +$210 |
| Restaurant Meal | $20 | $15 | +$5 |
| Transit Pass | $62 | $45 | +$17 |
| Utilities | $224 | $130 | +$94 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Vienna | Lisbon |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,775/mo | $1,469/mo |
| Typical | $2,464/mo | $2,014/mo |
| Comfortable | $3,070/mo | $2,495/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Vienna | ≈ in Lisbon | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,188/mo | -$312 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,584/mo | -$416 |
| $3,000/mo | $2,376/mo | -$624 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Vienna vs Lisbon for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Lisbon is approximately 21% more affordable than Vienna when combining rent and daily living costs. Vienna's COL+Rent Index of 55.3 vs Lisbon's 43.8 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a meaningful difference that adds up over months of living expenses.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Vienna costs $1,391/month versus $1,337/month in Lisbon — giving Lisbon a $54/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 Vienna ($487/mo) vs Lisbon ($277/mo) reflect Lisbon's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $20 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.