Budapest vs Lisbon

Cost of living comparison for 2026. Lisbon is roughly 11% more affordable than Budapest (index 28 vs 31, New York = 100). Data sourced live via AI — updated regularly.

Lisbon
More affordable overall
11% cheaper than Budapest · Cost index: 28 vs 31

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 Index28✓
1,784✓Median Income /mo1,750
75✓Safety Index71
33Income Tax %23✓
150Internet (Mbps)175✓
180✓Coworking /mo200

Price Breakdown

BudapestCategoryLisbon
$882/month
1-BR Apartment (Center)
35% cheaper →
$1,360/month
$0.92/liter
Meal for One
16% cheaper →
$1.1/liter
$10/meal
Restaurant (Mid-range)
17% cheaper →
$12/meal
$29/month
Monthly Transit Pass
24% cheaper →
$38/month
$162/month
Utilities (Monthly)
10% ← cheaper
$145/month
$55/visit
Doctor Visit
8% cheaper →
$60/visit

Digital Nomad Profile

Budapest

Internet150 Mbps
Coworking$180/mo
Café WiFigood
Englishmoderate
Communitygrowing
Walkability75/100

Lisbon

Internet175 Mbps
Coworking$200/mo
Café WiFigood
Englishmoderate
Communitylarge
Walkability72/100

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Budapest cheaper than Lisbon?

Lisbon is cheaper than Budapest. Lisbon has a cost of living index of 28/100 compared to 31/100 for Budapest (New York = 100), making it roughly 11% more affordable overall.

How much cheaper is Lisbon than Budapest?

Lisbon is approximately 11% cheaper than Budapest based on cost index scores (28 vs 31, where New York = 100). A person spending $3,000/month in Budapest could live a similar lifestyle for roughly $2,679/month in Lisbon.

What is the rent comparison between Budapest and Lisbon?

In Budapest, a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center costs approximately $882/month. In Lisbon, the equivalent is around $1,360/month.

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

Both cities have nomad infrastructure. Budapest offers 150 Mbps internet and coworking at ~$180/month. Lisbon offers 175 Mbps and coworking at ~$200/month. Lisbon has a cost advantage of 11%.

What is the average income in Budapest vs Lisbon?

The median net monthly salary in Budapest is approximately $1,784 USD, compared to $1,750 USD in Lisbon.

Compare Budapest with…

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