🇮🇹 Rome vs 🇵🇹 Lisbon
Cost of Living Comparison (2026)
Rome is 3% cheaper than Lisbon
Quick answer
Comparing Rome, Italy and Lisbon, Portugal: a moderate single-person monthly budget is approximately $2,528 in Rome versus $2,604 in Lisbon. Rome is roughly 3% cheaper overall. Central 1-bed rent: $1,228/mo (Rome) 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: $2,528/mo in Rome 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 $1,228/mo in Rome · $1,466/mo in Lisbon.
- Cheaper overall: Rome ~3% cheaper than Lisbon.
- Source World Bank ICP + national statistics + item-level price snapshots · CC BY 4.0.
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | 🇮🇹 Rome | 🇵🇹 Lisbon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | $1,750/mo | $1,800/mo | +3% |
| Moderate | $2,528/mo | $2,604/mo | +3% |
| Comfortable | $3,800/mo | $3,900/mo | +3% |
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 | 🇮🇹 Rome | 🇵🇹 Lisbon | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (1-bed, center) | $1,228/mo | $1,466/mo | +19% |
| Groceries & Food | $400/mo | $350/mo | -12% |
| Dining Out | $200/mo | $175/mo | -12% |
| Transport | $200/mo | $175/mo | -12% |
| Utilities & Internet | $200/mo | $175/mo | -12% |
| Healthcare | $160/mo | $140/mo | -12% |
| Leisure & Personal | $140/mo | $123/mo | -12% |
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)
Rome
$1,228
Lisbon
$1,466
Groceries & Food
Rome
$400
Lisbon
$350
Dining Out
Rome
$200
Lisbon
$175
Transport
Rome
$200
Lisbon
$175
Utilities & Internet
Rome
$200
Lisbon
$175
Healthcare
Rome
$160
Lisbon
$140
Leisure & Personal
Rome
$140
Lisbon
$123
Detailed Price Comparison
Sources: ISTAT (Italy), Eurostat / INE (Statistics Portugal), Eurostat. Updated Jan 2026.
Groceries
| Item | 🇮🇹 Rome | 🇵🇹 Lisbon | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loaf of bread (500g) | $1 | $1 | -7% |
| Milk (1 liter) | $1 | $1 | -35% |
| Eggs (12) | $3 | $3 | -24% |
| Chicken breast (1 kg) | $9 | $7 | -28% |
| Mozzarella (125g) | $1 | $1 | 0% |
Restaurants & Cafes
| Item | 🇮🇹 Rome | 🇵🇹 Lisbon | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pizza margherita | $9 | $10 | +9% |
| Pasta primo (trattoria) | $11 | $8 | -30% |
| Espresso (bar) | $1 | $2 | +38% |
| Cappuccino | $2 | $3 | +94% |
| Beer (0.5L, restaurant) | $5 | $1 | -80% |
Housing
| Item | 🇮🇹 Rome | 🇵🇹 Lisbon | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment, center (Trastevere) | $1,228 | $1,466 | +19% |
| 1-bedroom apartment, outside | $873 | $800 | -8% |
| 3-bedroom apartment, center | $2,100 | $2,100 | 0% |
| 3-bedroom apartment, outside | $1,300 | $1,400 | +8% |
Transport
| Item | 🇮🇹 Rome | 🇵🇹 Lisbon | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly transit pass (ATAC) | $38 | $44 | +16% |
| Gasoline (1 liter) | $2 | $4 | +105% |
Utilities & Internet
| Item | 🇮🇹 Rome | 🇵🇹 Lisbon | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity, water, garbage (85m²) | $170 | $120 | -29% |
| Internet (60+ Mbps) | $28 | $35 | +25% |
Leisure & Fitness
| Item | 🇮🇹 Rome | 🇵🇹 Lisbon | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gym membership (monthly) | $40 | $40 | 0% |
| Cinema ticket | $10 | $8 | -20% |
Personal Care
| Item | 🇮🇹 Rome | 🇵🇹 Lisbon | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haircut (men) | $16 | $15 | -6% |
Quick Facts
🇮🇹 Rome
- Monthly cost (moderate)
- $2,528
- 1-bed rent (center)
- $1,228/mo
- Cappuccino
- $1.50
- Inexpensive meal
- $12.00
- Monthly transit pass
- $38
- Internet speed
- 95 Mbps
- Safety index
- 62/100(moderately safe)
- Healthcare index
- 100/100
- Country
- Italy
🇵🇹 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: Rome city guide | Lisbon city guide | Italy | Portugal
Related Comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rome or Lisbon cheaper to live in?
Rome is approximately 3% cheaper than Lisbon overall.
How much does it cost to live in Rome per month?
A moderate monthly budget for a single person in Rome is approximately $2,528 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 Rome and Lisbon?
A 1-bedroom apartment in the city center costs around $1,228/month in Rome and $1,466/month in Lisbon.