Lisbon vs Shanghai

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

Lisbon
More affordable overall
11% cheaper than Shanghai · 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

28Cost Index31
1,750Median Income /mo1,727
71Safety Index74
23Income Tax %15
175Internet (Mbps)120
200Coworking /mo350

Price Breakdown

LisbonCategoryShanghai
$1,360/month
1-BR Apartment (Center)
29% ← cheaper
$962/month
$1.1/liter
Meal for One
20% cheaper →
$1.38/liter
$12/meal
Restaurant (Mid-range)
75% ← cheaper
$2.99/meal
$38/month
Monthly Transit Pass
37% ← cheaper
$23.79/month
$145/month
Utilities (Monthly)
73% ← cheaper
$38.82/month
$60/visit
Doctor Visit
43% ← cheaper
$34.5/visit

Digital Nomad Profile

Lisbon

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

Shanghai

Internet120 Mbps
Coworking$350/mo
Café WiFigood
Englishmoderate
Communitygrowing
Walkability72/100

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Lisbon cheaper than Shanghai?

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

How much cheaper is Lisbon than Shanghai?

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

What is the rent comparison between Lisbon and Shanghai?

In Lisbon, a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center costs approximately $1,360/month. In Shanghai, the equivalent is around $962/month.

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

Both cities have nomad infrastructure. Lisbon offers 175 Mbps internet and coworking at ~$200/month. Shanghai offers 120 Mbps and coworking at ~$350/month. Lisbon has a cost advantage of 11%.

What is the average income in Lisbon vs Shanghai?

The median net monthly salary in Lisbon is approximately $1,750 USD, compared to $1,727 USD in Shanghai.

Compare Lisbon with…

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

Cities that cost about the same as Lisbon

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

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