Rio de Janeiro vs Lisbon

Cost of living comparison for 2026. Rio de Janeiro is roughly 8% more affordable than Lisbon (index 26 vs 28, New York = 100). Data sourced live via AI — updated regularly.

Rio de Janeiro
More affordable overall
8% cheaper than Lisbon · Cost index: 26 vs 28

Life Power at $3,000/mo

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

Head-to-Head Stats

26✓Cost Index28
725Median Income /mo1,750✓
30Safety Index71✓
27.5Income Tax %23✓
121Internet (Mbps)175✓
270Coworking /mo200✓

Price Breakdown

Rio de JaneiroCategoryLisbon
$910/month
1-BR Apartment (Center)
33% cheaper →
$1,360/month
$1.3/liter
Meal for One
15% ← cheaper
$1.1/liter
$7/meal
Restaurant (Mid-range)
42% cheaper →
$12/meal
$57/month
Monthly Transit Pass
33% ← cheaper
$38/month
$121/month
Utilities (Monthly)
17% cheaper →
$145/month
$65/visit
Doctor Visit
8% ← cheaper
$60/visit

Digital Nomad Profile

Rio de Janeiro

Internet121 Mbps
Coworking$270/mo
Café WiFigood
Englishlow
Communitygrowing
Walkability65/100

Lisbon

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Rio de Janeiro cheaper than Lisbon?

Rio de Janeiro is cheaper than Lisbon. Rio de Janeiro has a cost of living index of 26/100 compared to 28/100 for Lisbon (New York = 100), making it roughly 8% more affordable overall.

How much cheaper is Rio de Janeiro than Lisbon?

Rio de Janeiro is approximately 8% cheaper than Lisbon based on cost index scores (26 vs 28, where New York = 100). A person spending $3,000/month in Lisbon could live a similar lifestyle for roughly $2,760/month in Rio de Janeiro.

What is the rent comparison between Rio de Janeiro and Lisbon?

In Rio de Janeiro, a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center costs approximately $910/month. In Lisbon, the equivalent is around $1,360/month.

Which city is better for digital nomads — Rio de Janeiro or Lisbon?

Both cities have nomad infrastructure. Rio de Janeiro offers 121 Mbps internet and coworking at ~$270/month. Lisbon offers 175 Mbps and coworking at ~$200/month. Rio de Janeiro has a cost advantage of 8%.

What is the average income in Rio de Janeiro vs Lisbon?

The median net monthly salary in Rio de Janeiro is approximately $725 USD, compared to $1,750 USD in Lisbon.

Compare Rio de Janeiro with…

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