🇵🇹 Lisbon vs 🇨🇴 Medellin
Cost of Living Comparison (2026)
Medellin is 60% cheaper than Lisbon
Quick answer
Comparing Lisbon, Portugal and Medellin, Colombia: a moderate single-person monthly budget is approximately $2,604 in Lisbon versus $1,040 in Medellin. Medellin is roughly 60% cheaper overall. Central 1-bed rent: $1,466/mo (Lisbon) vs $617/mo (Medellin). 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: $2,604/mo in Lisbon single person — city-centre rent + modeled non-housing categories.
- Moderate budget: $1,040/mo in Medellin single person — like-for-like city-centre basket.
- Central 1-bed rent $1,466/mo in Lisbon · $617/mo in Medellin.
- Cheaper overall: Medellin ~60% cheaper than Lisbon.
- Source World Bank ICP + national statistics + item-level price snapshots · CC BY 4.0.
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | 🇵🇹 Lisbon | 🇨🇴 Medellin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | $1,800/mo | $750/mo | -58% |
| Moderate | $2,604/mo | $1,040/mo | -60% |
| Comfortable | $3,900/mo | $1,550/mo | -60% |
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 | 🇵🇹 Lisbon | 🇨🇴 Medellin | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (1-bed, center) | $1,466/mo | $617/mo | -58% |
| Groceries & Food | $350/mo | $130/mo | -63% |
| Dining Out | $175/mo | $65/mo | -63% |
| Transport | $175/mo | $65/mo | -63% |
| Utilities & Internet | $175/mo | $65/mo | -63% |
| Healthcare | $140/mo | $52/mo | -63% |
| Leisure & Personal | $123/mo | $46/mo | -63% |
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)
Lisbon
$1,466
Medellin
$617
Groceries & Food
Lisbon
$350
Medellin
$130
Dining Out
Lisbon
$175
Medellin
$65
Transport
Lisbon
$175
Medellin
$65
Utilities & Internet
Lisbon
$175
Medellin
$65
Healthcare
Lisbon
$140
Medellin
$52
Leisure & Personal
Lisbon
$123
Medellin
$46
Detailed Price Comparison
Sources: INE (Statistics Portugal), Eurostat / DANE (Colombia), World Bank. Updated Jan 2026.
Groceries
| Item | 🇵🇹 Lisbon | 🇨🇴 Medellin | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loaf of bread (500g) | $1 | $1 | -23% |
| Milk (1 liter) | $1 | $1 | 0% |
| Eggs (12) | $3 | $2 | -32% |
| Chicken breast (1 kg) | $7 | $3 | -52% |
| Rice (1 kg) | $1 | $1 | -33% |
| Apples (1 kg) | $2 | $3 | +32% |
| Tomatoes (1 kg) | $2 | $1 | -55% |
| Cheese, local (1 kg) | $9 | $5 | -44% |
Restaurants & Cafes
| Item | 🇵🇹 Lisbon | 🇨🇴 Medellin | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lunch menu (business district) | $10 | $4 | -62% |
| Fast food combo meal | $8 | $5 | -30% |
| Cappuccino | $2 | $2 | -6% |
| Beer (0.5L, restaurant) | $3 | $2 | -42% |
| Beer (0.5L, store) | $1 | $1 | -27% |
| Water (0.33L, restaurant) | $1 | $1 | -8% |
Housing
| Item | 🇵🇹 Lisbon | 🇨🇴 Medellin | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment, center | $1,466 | $617 | -58% |
| 1-bedroom apartment, outside | $800 | $510 | -36% |
| 3-bedroom apartment, center | $2,100 | $1,000 | -52% |
| 3-bedroom apartment, outside | $1,400 | $550 | -61% |
Transport
| Item | 🇵🇹 Lisbon | 🇨🇴 Medellin | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly transit pass | $44 | $22 | -50% |
| Taxi start (normal tariff) | $4 | $1 | -75% |
| Taxi per km | $1 | $0 | -50% |
| Gasoline (1 liter) | $2 | $1 | -65% |
Utilities & Internet
| Item | 🇵🇹 Lisbon | 🇨🇴 Medellin | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity, water, garbage (85m²) | $120 | $65 | -46% |
| Internet (60+ Mbps) | $35 | $20 | -43% |
| Mobile plan (10GB+) | $18 | $10 | -44% |
Clothing
| Item | 🇵🇹 Lisbon | 🇨🇴 Medellin | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pair of jeans (Levi's) | $78 | $45 | -42% |
| Summer dress (Zara/H&M) | $35 | $65 | +86% |
Leisure & Fitness
| Item | 🇵🇹 Lisbon | 🇨🇴 Medellin | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gym membership (monthly) | $40 | $25 | -38% |
| Cinema ticket | $8 | $4 | -55% |
Personal Care
| Item | 🇵🇹 Lisbon | 🇨🇴 Medellin | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haircut (men) | $15 | $5 | -68% |
Quick Facts
🇵🇹 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
🇨🇴 Medellin
- Monthly cost (moderate)
- $1,040
- 1-bed rent (center)
- $617/mo
- Cappuccino
- $1.80
- Inexpensive meal
- $4.00
- Monthly transit pass
- $28
- Internet speed
- 85 Mbps
- Safety index
- 52/100(moderately safe)
- Healthcare index
- 80/100
- Country
- Colombia
Explore more: Lisbon city guide | Medellin city guide | Portugal | Colombia
Related Comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lisbon or Medellin cheaper to live in?
Medellin is approximately 60% 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 $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.
How much does it cost to live in Medellin per month?
A moderate monthly budget for a single person in Medellin is approximately $1,040 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 Lisbon and Medellin?
A 1-bedroom apartment in the city center costs around $1,466/month in Lisbon and $617/month in Medellin.