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Cost of Living Comparison (2026)
Lisbon is 75% cheaper than Cape Town
| Lifestyle | 🇿🇦 Cape Town | 🇵🇹 Lisbon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | $700/mo | $1,250/mo | +79% |
| Moderate | $1,000/mo | $1,750/mo | +75% |
| Comfortable | $1,500/mo | $2,650/mo | +77% |
Estimates for a single person. Based on World Bank PPP data and national statistics.
| Category | 🇿🇦 Cape Town | 🇵🇹 Lisbon | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (1-bed, center) | $700/mo | $1,500/mo | +114% |
| Groceries & Food | $200/mo | $350/mo | +75% |
| Dining Out | $100/mo | $280/mo | +180% |
| Transport | $35/mo | $44/mo | +26% |
| Utilities & Internet | $100/mo | $175/mo | +75% |
| Healthcare | $80/mo | $140/mo | +75% |
| Leisure & Personal | $70/mo | $123/mo | +76% |
Sources: Stats SA, World Bank / INE (Statistics Portugal), Eurostat. Updated Jan 2026.
| Item | 🇿🇦 Cape Town | 🇵🇹 Lisbon | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loaf of bread (500g) | $1 | $1 | +63% |
| Milk (1 liter) | $1 | $1 | -6% |
| Eggs (12) | $2 | $3 | +25% |
| Chicken breast (1 kg) | $4 | $7 | +71% |
| Rice (1 kg) | $1 | $1 | +20% |
| Item | 🇿🇦 Cape Town | 🇵🇹 Lisbon | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bunny chow / local meal | $4 | $10 | +116% |
| Fast food combo meal | $4 | $8 | +73% |
| Cappuccino | $2 | $2 | -18% |
| Beer (0.5L, restaurant) | $3 | $3 | +32% |
| Wine (glass, restaurant) | $3 | $1 | -67% |
| Item | 🇿🇦 Cape Town | 🇵🇹 Lisbon | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment, center (City Bowl) | $700 | $1,200 | +71% |
| 1-bedroom apartment, outside | $450 | $800 | +78% |
| 3-bedroom apartment, center | $1,300 | $2,100 | +62% |
| 3-bedroom apartment, outside | $800 | $1,400 | +75% |
| Item | 🇿🇦 Cape Town | 🇵🇹 Lisbon | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly transit (MyCiTi) | $35 | $44 | +26% |
| Gasoline (1 liter) | $1 | $4 | +233% |
| Item | 🇿🇦 Cape Town | 🇵🇹 Lisbon | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity, water, garbage (85m²) | $80 | $120 | +50% |
| Internet (60+ Mbps) | $30 | $35 | +17% |
| Item | 🇿🇦 Cape Town | 🇵🇹 Lisbon | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gym membership (monthly) | $30 | $40 | +33% |
| Cinema ticket | $6 | $8 | +45% |
| Item | 🇿🇦 Cape Town | 🇵🇹 Lisbon | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haircut (men) | $8 | $15 | +83% |
Explore more: Cape Town city guide | Lisbon city guide | South Africa | Portugal