🇬🇧 London vs 🇵🇹 Lisbon
Cost of Living Comparison (2026)
Lisbon is 42% cheaper than London
Quick answer
Comparing London, United Kingdom and Lisbon, Portugal: a moderate single-person monthly budget is approximately $4,506 in London versus $2,604 in Lisbon. Lisbon is roughly 42% cheaper overall. Central 1-bed rent: $2,783/mo (London) 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: $4,506/mo in London 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 $2,783/mo in London · $1,466/mo in Lisbon.
- Cheaper overall: Lisbon ~42% cheaper than London.
- Source World Bank ICP + national statistics + item-level price snapshots · CC BY 4.0.
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | 🇬🇧 London | 🇵🇹 Lisbon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | $3,150/mo | $1,800/mo | -43% |
| Moderate | $4,506/mo | $2,604/mo | -42% |
| Comfortable | $6,750/mo | $3,900/mo | -42% |
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 | 🇬🇧 London | 🇵🇹 Lisbon | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (1-bed, center) | $2,783/mo | $1,466/mo | -47% |
| Groceries & Food | $530/mo | $350/mo | -34% |
| Dining Out | $265/mo | $175/mo | -34% |
| Transport | $265/mo | $175/mo | -34% |
| Utilities & Internet | $265/mo | $175/mo | -34% |
| Healthcare | $212/mo | $140/mo | -34% |
| Leisure & Personal | $186/mo | $123/mo | -34% |
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)
London
$2,783
Lisbon
$1,466
Groceries & Food
London
$530
Lisbon
$350
Dining Out
London
$265
Lisbon
$175
Transport
London
$265
Lisbon
$175
Utilities & Internet
London
$265
Lisbon
$175
Healthcare
London
$212
Lisbon
$140
Leisure & Personal
London
$186
Lisbon
$123
Detailed Price Comparison
Sources: ONS (UK), Eurostat / INE (Statistics Portugal), Eurostat. Updated Jan 2026.
Groceries
| Item | 🇬🇧 London | 🇵🇹 Lisbon | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loaf of bread (500g) | $1 | $1 | -7% |
| Milk (1 liter) | $1 | $1 | -39% |
| Eggs (12) | $3 | $3 | -17% |
| Chicken breast (1 kg) | $8 | $7 | -19% |
| Rice (1 kg) | $2 | $1 | -33% |
| Apples (1 kg) | $3 | $2 | -24% |
| Tomatoes (1 kg) | $3 | $2 | -21% |
| Cheese, local (1 kg) | $9 | $9 | 0% |
Restaurants & Cafes
| Item | 🇬🇧 London | 🇵🇹 Lisbon | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lunch menu (business district) | $17 | $10 | -42% |
| Fast food combo meal | $9 | $8 | -15% |
| Cappuccino | $4 | $2 | -59% |
| Beer (pint, pub) | $8 | $3 | -57% |
| Beer (0.5L, store) | $2 | $1 | -50% |
| Water (0.33L, restaurant) | $2 | $1 | -32% |
Housing
| Item | 🇬🇧 London | 🇵🇹 Lisbon | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment, center | $2,783 | $1,466 | -47% |
| 1-bedroom apartment, outside | $2,113 | $800 | -62% |
| 3-bedroom apartment, center | $3,800 | $2,100 | -45% |
| 3-bedroom apartment, outside | $2,400 | $1,400 | -42% |
Transport
| Item | 🇬🇧 London | 🇵🇹 Lisbon | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly transit pass (zones 1-2) | $190 | $44 | -77% |
| Taxi start | $4 | $4 | -9% |
| Taxi per km | $3 | $1 | -72% |
| Gasoline (1 liter) | $2 | $2 | -3% |
Utilities & Internet
| Item | 🇬🇧 London | 🇵🇹 Lisbon | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity, water, garbage (85m²) | $240 | $120 | -50% |
| Internet (60+ Mbps) | $38 | $35 | -8% |
| Mobile plan (10GB+) | $19 | $18 | -5% |
Clothing
| Item | 🇬🇧 London | 🇵🇹 Lisbon | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pair of jeans (Levi's) | $82 | $78 | -5% |
| Summer dress (Zara/H&M) | $38 | $35 | -8% |
| Running shoes (Nike/Adidas) | $95 | $82 | -14% |
Leisure & Fitness
| Item | 🇬🇧 London | 🇵🇹 Lisbon | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gym membership (monthly) | $55 | $40 | -27% |
| Cinema ticket | $16 | $8 | -50% |
Personal Care
| Item | 🇬🇧 London | 🇵🇹 Lisbon | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haircut (men) | $25 | $15 | -40% |
| Shampoo (400ml) | $4 | $4 | -9% |
Quick Facts
🇬🇧 London
- Monthly cost (moderate)
- $4,506
- 1-bed rent (center)
- $2,783/mo
- Cappuccino
- $4.20
- Inexpensive meal
- $15.00
- Monthly transit pass
- $227
- Internet speed
- 120 Mbps
- Safety index
- 68/100(moderately safe)
- Healthcare index
- 91/100
- Country
- United Kingdom
🇵🇹 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: London city guide | Lisbon city guide | United Kingdom | Portugal
Related Comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions
Is London or Lisbon cheaper to live in?
Lisbon is approximately 42% cheaper than London overall.
How much does it cost to live in London per month?
A moderate monthly budget for a single person in London is approximately $4,506 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 London and Lisbon?
A 1-bedroom apartment in the city center costs around $2,783/month in London and $1,466/month in Lisbon.