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Lisbon vs Barcelona

Lisbon runs about 4% cheaper than Barcelona for this household, a difference of 103 USD a month.

Aerial view of Augusta Street, Lisbon
Lisbon
$2,416/month · Portugal
Hugo Schneider · CC BY 2.0
Barcelona
Barcelona
$2,519/month · Spain
dronepicr · CC BY 2.0
Lisbon monthly
$2,416
Index 38 (NYC = 100)
Barcelona monthly
$2,519
Index 39 (NYC = 100)
Difference
+4%
Barcelona relative to Lisbon
Rent gap
$100
Barcelona costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

LisbonBarcelona
  • Housing
    Housing: Lisbon $1,450, Barcelona $1,550. Cheaper in Lisbon.
  • Food
    Food: Lisbon $523, Barcelona $531. Cheaper in Lisbon.
  • Transport
    Transport: Lisbon $82, Barcelona $67. Cheaper in Barcelona.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Lisbon $138, Barcelona $139. Cheaper in Lisbon.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Lisbon $31, Barcelona $35. Cheaper in Lisbon.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Lisbon $120, Barcelona $125. Cheaper in Lisbon.
  • Other
    Other: Lisbon $72, Barcelona $72. Cheaper in Lisbon.
Each row is one category priced in both cities for the same household. The bar is the gap; exact figures are in the table below.
Interactive — adjust the household

Full comparison

MetricLisbonBarcelona
Cost
Total monthly cost2,416 USD✓2,519 USD
Cost index (New York = 100)38✓39
Housing1,450 USD✓1,550 USD
Utilities138 USD✓139 USD
Food523 USD✓531 USD
Transport82 USD67 USD✓
Healthcare31 USD✓35 USD
Lifestyle120 USD✓125 USD
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr4,561 USD5,316 USD✓
Effective tax + social rate45.3%36.2%✓
Left over each month2,145 USD2,798 USD✓
Average local net salary1,500 USD1,900 USD✓
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre1,450 USD✓1,550 USD
3-bed rent, city centre2,600 USD✓2,800 USD
Buy price per m², centre6,000 USD✓7,200 USD
Quality of life
Safety78/100✓62/100
Healthcare72/10084/100✓
Air quality80/100✓62/100
Public transport80/10090/100✓
Walkability86/10092/100✓
English proficiency82/100✓66/100
Nightlife88/10096/100✓
Family friendliness76/10078/100✓
Median broadband180 Mbps215 Mbps✓
Climate
Average temperature17°C17°C
Summer high28°C✓29°C
Winter low8°C✓7°C
Sunshine hours per year2,800 h✓2,520 h
Annual rainfall760 mm600 mm✓
Practicalities
Remote-work visaYesYes
Beach access20 min10 min✓
CurrencyEUREUR
Time zoneEurope/LisbonEurope/Madrid

Lisbon runs about 4% cheaper than Barcelona for this household, a difference of 103 USD a month.

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Cost of living in LisbonCost of living in BarcelonaConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
Lisbon vs MadridLisbon vs BerlinLisbon vs Stockholm
FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Lisbon or Barcelona cheaper?

Lisbon runs about 4% cheaper than Barcelona for this household, a difference of 103 USD a month.

What salary do you need in Barcelona compared with Lisbon?

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $4,561 a month in Lisbon and $5,316 in Barcelona, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

Which has better quality of life, Lisbon or Barcelona?

Lisbon scores 78/100 on safety and 72/100 on healthcare; Barcelona scores 62 and 84. Lisbon averages 17°C against 17°C in Barcelona.