Budapest vs Lisbon

Cost of living comparison for 2026. Budapest is roughly 15% more affordable than Lisbon (index 31 vs 36, New York = 100). Data sourced live via AI — updated regularly.

Budapest
More affordable overall
15% cheaper than Lisbon · Cost index: 31 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

31Cost Index36
1,629Median Income /mo1,460
77Safety Index78
15Income Tax %25
128Internet (Mbps)176
190Coworking /mo220

Price Breakdown

BudapestCategoryLisbon
$790/month
1-BR Apartment (Center)
43% cheaper →
$1,380/month
$1.1/liter
Meal for One
23% ← cheaper
$0.85/liter
$10/meal
Restaurant (Mid-range)
17% cheaper →
$12/meal
$45/month
Monthly Transit Pass
11% ← cheaper
$40/month
$120/month
Utilities (Monthly)
17% cheaper →
$145/month
$55/visit
Doctor Visit
8% cheaper →
$60/visit

Digital Nomad Profile

Budapest

Internet128 Mbps
Coworking$190/mo
Café WiFiexcellent
Englishmoderate
Communitygrowing
Walkability72/100

Lisbon

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Budapest cheaper than Lisbon?

Budapest is cheaper than Lisbon. Budapest has a cost of living index of 31/100 compared to 36/100 for Lisbon (New York = 100), making it roughly 15% more affordable overall.

How much cheaper is Budapest than Lisbon?

Budapest is approximately 15% cheaper than Lisbon based on cost index scores (31 vs 36, where New York = 100). A person spending $3,000/month in Lisbon could live a similar lifestyle for roughly $2,538/month in Budapest.

What is the rent comparison between Budapest and Lisbon?

In Budapest, a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center costs approximately $790/month. In Lisbon, the equivalent is around $1,380/month.

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

Both cities have nomad infrastructure. Budapest offers 128 Mbps internet and coworking at ~$190/month. Lisbon offers 176 Mbps and coworking at ~$220/month. Budapest has a cost advantage of 15%.

What is the average income in Budapest vs Lisbon?

The median net monthly salary in Budapest is approximately $1,629 USD, compared to $1,460 USD in Lisbon.

Compare Budapest with…

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

Cities that cost about the same as Budapest

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