🇩🇪 Berlin vs 🇵🇹 Lisbon
Cost of Living Comparison (2026)
Similar cost of living in both cities
Quick answer
Comparing Berlin, Germany and Lisbon, Portugal: a moderate single-person monthly budget is approximately $2,609 in Berlin versus $2,604 in Lisbon. Both cities have a similar cost of living. Central 1-bed rent: $1,406/mo (Berlin) vs $1,466/mo (Lisbon). The totals use the single-person city-centre basket: canonical 1-bedroom city-centre rent plus modeled groceries, dining, transport, utilities/internet, healthcare, and leisure/personal spending.
Key facts
- Moderate budget: $2,609/mo in Berlin single person — city-centre rent + modeled non-housing categories.
- Moderate budget: $2,604/mo in Lisbon single person — like-for-like city-centre basket.
- Central 1-bed rent $1,406/mo in Berlin · $1,466/mo in Lisbon.
- Cheaper overall: tied near-identical cost-of-living index.
- Source World Bank ICP + national statistics + item-level price snapshots · CC BY 4.0.
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | 🇩🇪 Berlin | 🇵🇹 Lisbon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | $1,850/mo | $1,800/mo | -3% |
| Moderate | $2,609/mo | $2,604/mo | 0% |
| Comfortable | $3,900/mo | $3,900/mo | 0% |
The Moderate row equals the category table below: single-person city-centre basket: canonical 1-bedroom city-centre rent plus modeled groceries, dining, transport, utilities/internet, healthcare, and leisure/personal spending. Budget and Comfortable scale that same basket.
Cost Breakdown by Category
| Category | 🇩🇪 Berlin | 🇵🇹 Lisbon | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (1-bed, center) | $1,406/mo | $1,466/mo | +4% |
| Groceries & Food | $370/mo | $350/mo | -5% |
| Dining Out | $185/mo | $175/mo | -5% |
| Transport | $185/mo | $175/mo | -5% |
| Utilities & Internet | $185/mo | $175/mo | -5% |
| Healthcare | $148/mo | $140/mo | -5% |
| Leisure & Personal | $130/mo | $123/mo | -5% |
Category sum = Moderate budget. Basis: single-person city-centre basket: canonical 1-bedroom city-centre rent plus modeled groceries, dining, transport, utilities/internet, healthcare, and leisure/personal spending.
Housing (1-bed, center)
Berlin
$1,406
Lisbon
$1,466
Groceries & Food
Berlin
$370
Lisbon
$350
Dining Out
Berlin
$185
Lisbon
$175
Transport
Berlin
$185
Lisbon
$175
Utilities & Internet
Berlin
$185
Lisbon
$175
Healthcare
Berlin
$148
Lisbon
$140
Leisure & Personal
Berlin
$130
Lisbon
$123
Detailed Price Comparison
Sources: Destatis (Germany), Eurostat / INE (Statistics Portugal), Eurostat. Updated Jan 2026.
Groceries
| Item | 🇩🇪 Berlin | 🇵🇹 Lisbon | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loaf of bread (500g) | $2 | $1 | -19% |
| Milk (1 liter) | $1 | $1 | -23% |
| Eggs (12) | $3 | $3 | -11% |
| Chicken breast (1 kg) | $9 | $7 | -24% |
| Rice (1 kg) | $2 | $1 | -40% |
| Apples (1 kg) | $3 | $2 | -24% |
| Tomatoes (1 kg) | $3 | $2 | -27% |
| Cheese, local (1 kg) | $9 | $9 | -6% |
Restaurants & Cafes
| Item | 🇩🇪 Berlin | 🇵🇹 Lisbon | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lunch menu (business district) | $11 | $10 | -14% |
| Fast food combo meal | $9 | $8 | -16% |
| Cappuccino | $4 | $2 | -49% |
| Beer (0.5L, restaurant) | $4 | $3 | -23% |
| Beer (0.5L, store) | $1 | $1 | 0% |
| Water (0.33L, restaurant) | $2 | $1 | -41% |
Housing
| Item | 🇩🇪 Berlin | 🇵🇹 Lisbon | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment, center | $1,406 | $1,466 | +4% |
| 1-bedroom apartment, outside | $700 | $800 | +14% |
| 3-bedroom apartment, center | $1,800 | $2,100 | +17% |
| 3-bedroom apartment, outside | $1,200 | $1,400 | +17% |
Transport
| Item | 🇩🇪 Berlin | 🇵🇹 Lisbon | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly transit pass (AB zone) | $98 | $44 | -55% |
| Taxi start | $4 | $4 | -7% |
| Taxi per km | $2 | $1 | -68% |
| Gasoline (1 liter) | $2 | $2 | 0% |
Utilities & Internet
| Item | 🇩🇪 Berlin | 🇵🇹 Lisbon | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity, water, garbage (85m²) | $250 | $120 | -52% |
| Internet (60+ Mbps) | $33 | $35 | +6% |
| Mobile plan (10GB+) | $13 | $18 | +38% |
Clothing
| Item | 🇩🇪 Berlin | 🇵🇹 Lisbon | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pair of jeans (Levi's) | $82 | $78 | -5% |
| Summer dress (Zara/H&M) | $35 | $35 | 0% |
| Running shoes (Nike/Adidas) | $90 | $82 | -9% |
Leisure & Fitness
| Item | 🇩🇪 Berlin | 🇵🇹 Lisbon | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gym membership (monthly) | $35 | $40 | +14% |
| Cinema ticket | $12 | $8 | -33% |
Personal Care
| Item | 🇩🇪 Berlin | 🇵🇹 Lisbon | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haircut (men) | $18 | $15 | -17% |
| Shampoo (400ml) | $3 | $4 | +48% |
Quick Facts
🇩🇪 Berlin
- Monthly cost (moderate)
- $2,609
- 1-bed rent (center)
- $1,406/mo
- Cappuccino
- $4.00
- Inexpensive meal
- $10.00
- Monthly transit pass
- $67
- Internet speed
- 95 Mbps
- Safety index
- 75/100(very safe)
- Healthcare index
- 89/100
- Country
- Germany
🇵🇹 Lisbon
- Monthly cost (moderate)
- $2,604
- 1-bed rent (center)
- $1,466/mo
- Cappuccino
- $2.45
- Inexpensive meal
- $14.00
- Monthly transit pass
- $44
- Internet speed
- 115 Mbps
- Safety index
- 78/100(very safe)
- Healthcare index
- 95/100
- Country
- Portugal
Explore more: Berlin city guide | Lisbon city guide | Germany | Portugal
Related Comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Berlin or Lisbon cheaper to live in?
Berlin and Lisbon have a similar cost of living.
How much does it cost to live in Berlin per month?
A moderate monthly budget for a single person in Berlin is approximately $2,609 on the single-person city-centre basket: canonical 1-bedroom city-centre rent plus modeled groceries, dining, transport, utilities/internet, healthcare, and leisure/personal spending.
How much does it cost to live in Lisbon per month?
A moderate monthly budget for a single person in Lisbon is approximately $2,604 on the single-person city-centre basket: canonical 1-bedroom city-centre rent plus modeled groceries, dining, transport, utilities/internet, healthcare, and leisure/personal spending.
What is the rent difference between Berlin and Lisbon?
A 1-bedroom apartment in the city center costs around $1,406/month in Berlin and $1,466/month in Lisbon.