🇵🇹 Lisbon vs 🇹🇭 Chiang Mai
Cost of Living Comparison (2026)
Chiang Mai is 69% cheaper than Lisbon
Quick answer
Comparing Lisbon, Portugal and Chiang Mai, Thailand: a moderate single-person monthly budget is approximately $1,750 in Lisbon versus $550 in Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai is roughly 69% cheaper overall. Central 1-bed rent: $1,500/mo (Lisbon) vs $400/mo (Chiang Mai). Estimates use World Bank PPP data + national statistics + (where available) item-level price snapshots.
Key facts
- Moderate budget: $1,750/mo in Lisbon single person — rent + food + transport + utilities.
- Moderate budget: $550/mo in Chiang Mai single person — like-for-like comparison.
- Central 1-bed rent $1,500/mo in Lisbon · $400/mo in Chiang Mai.
- Cheaper overall: Chiang Mai ~69% cheaper than Lisbon.
- Source World Bank ICP + national statistics + item-level price snapshots · CC BY 4.0.
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | 🇵🇹 Lisbon | 🇹🇭 Chiang Mai | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | $1,250/mo | $400/mo | -68% |
| Moderate | $1,750/mo | $550/mo | -69% |
| Comfortable | $2,650/mo | $850/mo | -68% |
Estimates for a single person. Based on World Bank PPP data and national statistics.
Cost Breakdown by Category
| Category | 🇵🇹 Lisbon | 🇹🇭 Chiang Mai | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (1-bed, center) | $1,500/mo | $400/mo | -73% |
| Groceries & Food | $350/mo | $110/mo | -69% |
| Dining Out | $280/mo | $40/mo | -86% |
| Transport | $44/mo | $25/mo | -43% |
| Utilities & Internet | $175/mo | $55/mo | -69% |
| Healthcare | $140/mo | $44/mo | -69% |
| Leisure & Personal | $123/mo | $39/mo | -68% |
Housing (1-bed, center)
Lisbon
$1,500
Chiang Mai
$400
Groceries & Food
Lisbon
$350
Chiang Mai
$110
Dining Out
Lisbon
$280
Chiang Mai
$40
Transport
Lisbon
$44
Chiang Mai
$25
Utilities & Internet
Lisbon
$175
Chiang Mai
$55
Healthcare
Lisbon
$140
Chiang Mai
$44
Leisure & Personal
Lisbon
$123
Chiang Mai
$39
Detailed Price Comparison
Sources: INE (Statistics Portugal), Eurostat / NSO (Thailand), World Bank. Updated Jan 2026.
Groceries
| Item | 🇵🇹 Lisbon | 🇹🇭 Chiang Mai | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loaf of bread (500g) | $1 | $1 | 0% |
| Milk (1 liter) | $1 | $2 | +76% |
| Eggs (12) | $3 | $2 | -36% |
| Chicken breast (1 kg) | $7 | $3 | -57% |
| Rice (1 kg) | $1 | $1 | -25% |
| Apples (1 kg) | $2 | $4 | +100% |
| Tomatoes (1 kg) | $2 | $2 | -23% |
Restaurants & Cafes
| Item | 🇵🇹 Lisbon | 🇹🇭 Chiang Mai | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lunch menu (business district) | $10 | $1 | -85% |
| Fast food combo meal | $8 | $20 | +163% |
| Cappuccino | $2 | $5 | +150% |
| Beer (0.5L, restaurant) | $3 | $2 | -36% |
| Beer (0.5L, store) | $1 | $3 | +127% |
| Water (0.33L, restaurant) | $1 | $1 | 0% |
Housing
| Item | 🇵🇹 Lisbon | 🇹🇭 Chiang Mai | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment, center | $1,300 | $464 | -64% |
| 1-bedroom apartment, outside | $800 | $267 | -67% |
| 3-bedroom apartment, center | $2,100 | $650 | -69% |
| 3-bedroom apartment, outside | $1,400 | $400 | -71% |
Transport
| Item | 🇵🇹 Lisbon | 🇹🇭 Chiang Mai | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly transit pass | $44 | $20 | -55% |
| Taxi start (normal tariff) | $4 | $85 | +2025% |
| Taxi per km | $1 | $1 | +57% |
Utilities & Internet
| Item | 🇵🇹 Lisbon | 🇹🇭 Chiang Mai | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity, water, garbage (85m²) | $120 | $70 | -42% |
| Internet (60+ Mbps) | $35 | $18 | -49% |
| Mobile plan (10GB+) | $18 | $10 | -44% |
Clothing
| Item | 🇵🇹 Lisbon | 🇹🇭 Chiang Mai | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pair of jeans (Levi's) | $78 | $48 | -38% |
| Summer dress (Zara/H&M) | $35 | $75 | +114% |
Leisure & Fitness
| Item | 🇵🇹 Lisbon | 🇹🇭 Chiang Mai | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gym membership (monthly) | $40 | $28 | -30% |
| Cinema ticket | $8 | $5 | -44% |
Personal Care
| Item | 🇵🇹 Lisbon | 🇹🇭 Chiang Mai | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haircut (men) | $15 | $4 | -72% |
Quick Facts
🇵🇹 Lisbon
- Monthly cost (moderate)
- $1,750
- 1-bed rent (center)
- $1,500/mo
- Cappuccino
- $2.45
- Inexpensive meal
- $14.00
- Monthly transit pass
- $44
- Internet speed
- 115 Mbps
- Safety index
- 78/100(very safe)
- Healthcare index
- 92/100
- Country
- Portugal
🇹🇭 Chiang Mai
- Monthly cost (moderate)
- $550
- 1-bed rent (center)
- $400/mo
- Cappuccino
- $2.20
- Inexpensive meal
- $2.00
- Monthly transit pass
- $25
- Internet speed
- 150 Mbps
- Safety index
- 72/100(very safe)
- Healthcare index
- 71/100
- Country
- Thailand
Explore more: Lisbon city guide | Chiang Mai city guide | Portugal | Thailand
Related Comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lisbon or Chiang Mai cheaper to live in?
Chiang Mai is approximately 69% cheaper than Lisbon overall.
How much does it cost to live in Lisbon per month?
A moderate monthly budget for a single person in Lisbon is approximately $1,750, including rent, food, transport, and utilities.
How much does it cost to live in Chiang Mai per month?
A moderate monthly budget for a single person in Chiang Mai is approximately $550, including rent, food, transport, and utilities.
What is the rent difference between Lisbon and Chiang Mai?
A 1-bedroom apartment in the city center costs around $1,500/month in Lisbon and $400/month in Chiang Mai.