🇪🇸 Valencia vs 🇵🇹 Lisbon
Cost of Living Comparison (2026)
Valencia is 12% cheaper than Lisbon
Quick answer
Comparing Valencia, Spain and Lisbon, Portugal: a moderate single-person monthly budget is approximately $2,290 in Valencia versus $2,604 in Lisbon. Valencia is roughly 12% cheaper overall. Central 1-bed rent: $1,282/mo (Valencia) 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: $2,290/mo in Valencia 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 $1,282/mo in Valencia · $1,466/mo in Lisbon.
- Cheaper overall: Valencia ~12% cheaper than Lisbon.
- Source World Bank ICP + national statistics + item-level price snapshots · CC BY 4.0.
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | 🇪🇸 Valencia | 🇵🇹 Lisbon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | $1,600/mo | $1,800/mo | +13% |
| Moderate | $2,290/mo | $2,604/mo | +14% |
| Comfortable | $3,450/mo | $3,900/mo | +13% |
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 | 🇪🇸 Valencia | 🇵🇹 Lisbon | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (1-bed, center) | $1,282/mo | $1,466/mo | +14% |
| Groceries & Food | $310/mo | $350/mo | +13% |
| Dining Out | $155/mo | $175/mo | +13% |
| Transport | $155/mo | $175/mo | +13% |
| Utilities & Internet | $155/mo | $175/mo | +13% |
| Healthcare | $124/mo | $140/mo | +13% |
| Leisure & Personal | $109/mo | $123/mo | +13% |
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)
Valencia
$1,282
Lisbon
$1,466
Groceries & Food
Valencia
$310
Lisbon
$350
Dining Out
Valencia
$155
Lisbon
$175
Transport
Valencia
$155
Lisbon
$175
Utilities & Internet
Valencia
$155
Lisbon
$175
Healthcare
Valencia
$124
Lisbon
$140
Leisure & Personal
Valencia
$109
Lisbon
$123
Detailed Price Comparison
Sources: INE (Spain), Eurostat / INE (Statistics Portugal), Eurostat. Updated Jan 2026.
Groceries
| Item | 🇪🇸 Valencia | 🇵🇹 Lisbon | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loaf of bread (500g) | $1 | $1 | +8% |
| Milk (1 liter) | $1 | $1 | 0% |
| Eggs (12) | $2 | $3 | +4% |
| Chicken breast (1 kg) | $7 | $7 | 0% |
| Rice (1 kg) | $1 | $1 | +9% |
| Apples (1 kg) | $2 | $2 | +12% |
| Tomatoes (1 kg) | $2 | $2 | +22% |
Restaurants & Cafes
| Item | 🇪🇸 Valencia | 🇵🇹 Lisbon | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lunch menu (menú del día) | $11 | $10 | -14% |
| Fast food combo meal | $8 | $8 | -7% |
| Cappuccino | $2 | $2 | 0% |
| Beer (0.5L, restaurant) | $3 | $3 | 0% |
| Beer (0.5L, store) | $1 | $1 | +38% |
Housing
| Item | 🇪🇸 Valencia | 🇵🇹 Lisbon | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment, center | $1,282 | $1,466 | +14% |
| 1-bedroom apartment, outside | $650 | $800 | +23% |
| 3-bedroom apartment, center | $1,600 | $2,100 | +31% |
| 3-bedroom apartment, outside | $1,100 | $1,400 | +27% |
Transport
| Item | 🇪🇸 Valencia | 🇵🇹 Lisbon | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly transit pass | $40 | $44 | +10% |
| Taxi per km | $1 | $4 | +300% |
| Gasoline (1 liter) | $2 | $1 | -59% |
Utilities & Internet
| Item | 🇪🇸 Valencia | 🇵🇹 Lisbon | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity, water, garbage (85m²) | $115 | $120 | +4% |
| Internet (60+ Mbps) | $33 | $35 | +6% |
| Mobile plan (10GB+) | $18 | $18 | 0% |
Leisure & Fitness
| Item | 🇪🇸 Valencia | 🇵🇹 Lisbon | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gym membership (monthly) | $35 | $40 | +14% |
| Cinema ticket | $9 | $8 | -8% |
Personal Care
| Item | 🇪🇸 Valencia | 🇵🇹 Lisbon | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haircut (men) | $13 | $15 | +15% |
Quick Facts
🇪🇸 Valencia
- Monthly cost (moderate)
- $2,290
- 1-bed rent (center)
- $1,282/mo
- Cappuccino
- $1.80
- Inexpensive meal
- $11.00
- Monthly transit pass
- $40
- Internet speed
- 170 Mbps
- Safety index
- 74/100(very safe)
- Healthcare index
- 100/100
- Country
- Spain
🇵🇹 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: Valencia city guide | Lisbon city guide | Spain | Portugal
Related Comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Valencia or Lisbon cheaper to live in?
Valencia is approximately 12% cheaper than Lisbon overall.
How much does it cost to live in Valencia per month?
A moderate monthly budget for a single person in Valencia is approximately $2,290 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 Valencia and Lisbon?
A 1-bedroom apartment in the city center costs around $1,282/month in Valencia and $1,466/month in Lisbon.