Beijing vs Lisbon

Cost of living comparison for 2026. Beijing is roughly 31% more affordable than Lisbon (index 25 vs 36, New York = 100). Data sourced live via AI — updated regularly.

Beijing
More affordable overall
31% cheaper than Lisbon · Cost index: 25 vs 36

Life Power at $3,000/mo

The same salary ranks differently depending on where you live — from Beggar to King.

Head-to-Head Stats

25Cost Index36
2,200Median Income /mo1,460
66Safety Index78
30Income Tax %25
87Internet (Mbps)176
300Coworking /mo220

Price Breakdown

BeijingCategoryLisbon
$1,055/month
1-BR Apartment (Center)
24% cheaper →
$1,380/month
$0.85/liter
Meal for One
$0.85/liter
$5/meal
Restaurant (Mid-range)
58% cheaper →
$12/meal
$25/month
Monthly Transit Pass
38% cheaper →
$40/month
$53/month
Utilities (Monthly)
63% cheaper →
$145/month
$60/visit
Doctor Visit
$60/visit

Digital Nomad Profile

Beijing

Internet87 Mbps
Coworking$300/mo
Café WiFigood
Englishmoderate
Communitygrowing
Walkability70/100

Lisbon

Internet176 Mbps
Coworking$220/mo
Café WiFigood
Englishhigh
Communitylarge
Walkability78/100

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Beijing cheaper than Lisbon?

Beijing is cheaper than Lisbon. Beijing has a cost of living index of 25/100 compared to 36/100 for Lisbon (New York = 100), making it roughly 31% more affordable overall.

How much cheaper is Beijing than Lisbon?

Beijing is approximately 31% cheaper than Lisbon based on cost index scores (25 vs 36, where New York = 100). A person spending $3,000/month in Lisbon could live a similar lifestyle for roughly $2,077/month in Beijing.

What is the rent comparison between Beijing and Lisbon?

In Beijing, a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center costs approximately $1,055/month. In Lisbon, the equivalent is around $1,380/month.

Which city is better for digital nomads — Beijing or Lisbon?

Both cities have nomad infrastructure. Beijing offers 87 Mbps internet and coworking at ~$300/month. Lisbon offers 176 Mbps and coworking at ~$220/month. Beijing has a cost advantage of 31%.

What is the average income in Beijing vs Lisbon?

The median net monthly salary in Beijing is approximately $2,200 USD, compared to $1,460 USD in Lisbon.

Compare Beijing with…

Popular head-to-heads — see exactly where Beijing wins or loses.

Cities that cost about the same as Beijing

Same spending tier, different part of the world — the head-to-heads people actually weigh when relocating.

Explore this comparison interactively

See radar charts, detailed category breakdowns, and compare any two cities in real time.

Free to start · No credit card needed