Cost of Living: Portugal vs Italy
Portugal is 20% cheaper than Italy overall. Detailed side-by-side rent, groceries, utilities and monthly budget for 2026.
The verdict: Portugal wins on affordability
Portugal is roughly 20% cheaper than Italy on the combined COL+Rent index. On a moderate urban lifestyle, this translates to a difference of $476 per month, or about $5,712 per year.
Monthly Budget Comparison
Single-person urban lifestyle at three budget levels. All figures in USD.
| Budget level | Portugal | Italy | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
Minimal Suburb rent, no dining out | $1,177 | $1,443 | Portugal 18% less |
Sample City rent, ~15 restaurant meals/mo | $1,592 | $2,068 | Portugal 23% less |
Comfortable City rent, dining out 25x/mo | $1,794 | $2,337 | Portugal 23% less |
Budgets include rent, groceries, utilities, transit pass, and a typical number of restaurant meals per tier.
Line-Item Cost Comparison
Every major monthly expense, side by side.
| Category | Portugal | Italy |
|---|---|---|
Rent 1-bed, city centre | $990 | $1,240 |
Rent 1-bed, outside centre | $770 | $870 |
Groceries (monthly) | $235 | $305 |
Mid-range restaurant meal | $13 | $17 |
Transit pass (monthly) | $42 | $38 |
Basic utilities (85m²) | $130 | $230 |
Index Breakdown (NYC = 100)
Individual sub-indices for each category. Lower = cheaper than New York City.
Salary Equivalents
Purchasing-power-adjusted: if you earn X net in the US, how much do you need in Portugal and Italy to maintain the same lifestyle?
| US net salary | Needed in Portugal | Needed in Italy |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000/yr | $32,416 | $40,675 |
| $75,000/yr | $48,623 | $61,012 |
| $100,000/yr | $64,831 | $81,350 |
NET (after-tax) purchasing-power equivalents. Gross salary targets depend on each country's tax regime — see the salary comparison page for full tax breakdowns.
Dig Deeper
Combine this cost comparison with tax and salary data for the complete picture.
Cost of Living in Portugal
Full monthly budget & line-item costs for Portugal only.
Cost of Living in Italy
Full monthly budget & line-item costs for Italy only.
Portugal vs Italy Salary
Side-by-side take-home pay at $50K–$200K with 2025 tax brackets.
Salary After Tax in Portugal
Net take-home pay calculator for Portugal.
Salary After Tax in Italy
Net take-home pay calculator for Italy.
All 40 Countries — Cost of Living
Sortable leaderboard, affordability tiers, and the salary-equivalence calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions: Portugal vs Italy
Is Portugal cheaper than Italy?
Portugal is 20% cheaper than Italy. The combined Cost of Living + Rent index (NYC = 100) is 36.5 for Portugal vs 45.8 for Italy. In practical terms, a $2,068/month lifestyle in Italy can be matched for roughly $1,648/month in Portugal.
What is the monthly budget difference between Portugal and Italy?
A moderate single-person urban budget costs around $1,592 in Portugal versus $2,068 in Italy — a difference of $476/month (23%). The gap grows for comfortable lifestyles: $1,794 vs $2,337.
How does rent compare in Portugal vs Italy?
A 1-bedroom apartment in a city centre costs $990/month in Portugal and $1,240/month in Italy. Outside the city centre, rent drops to $770 in Portugal and $870 in Italy. Rent typically represents 30–50% of a single person's monthly budget in both countries.
How much salary do I need to move from Portugal to Italy?
If you currently earn $75,000 net in Portugal, you'd need roughly $94,110 net in Italy to maintain the same lifestyle. If moving the other way (from Italy to Portugal on a $75,000 net salary), you'd need $59,771 net in Portugal. These are purchasing-power-adjusted amounts — your gross salary target will differ by tax regime.
Which country has higher groceries prices?
Monthly grocery basket for a single person: $235 in Portugal vs $305 in Italy. A mid-range restaurant meal costs $13 in Portugal vs $17 in Italy. Grocery prices tend to track closely with overall cost of living.