🇵🇹 Portugal
A 24-hour field dispatch ~ what Lisbon costs, what it pays, and what it feels like to wake up here.
Compare Lisbon →Move Score
7.8/10
Cost, salary, visa, quality of life combined.
Population
2.9M
Europe/Lisbon · Portuguese
One-bedroom, central Lisbon: €1,200 / month. Outside the centre, 25 min by transit: €850 / month. Utilities: €120.
One bedroom, central. The outside option is cheaper and twenty-five minutes away.
Rent · 1BR centre
€1,200/mo
Within 15 min of city centre
Rent · outside
€850/mo
25–35 min transit to centre
Utilities
€120/mo
Power, water, internet ~ 1BR
Monthly pass: €40 / month. Walkability: 8.5 / 10 — most errands on foot. Safety: 6.8 / 10.
Transit · monthly
€40/mo
Unlimited metro + bus + tram
Walkability
8.5/10
Safety
6.8/10
Low violent crime. Petty theft in tourist zones.
After 28% income tax, take-home is €3,120 / month.
Purchasing power is competitive. Cost of living doesn't cancel the take-home.
D7 Passive Income Visa, Digital Nomad Visa, Job Seeker Visa. EU citizens: free movement.
software engineer · gross
€52,000/yr
Income tax
28%
Standard progressive rate
Take-home · monthly
€3,120avg
After tax · before rent
Groceries for one, cooking most nights: €350 / month. A restaurant meal for two, mid-range: €60.
Healthcare: private plans common. Internet speed: 7.0 / 10. Reliable enough.
Groceries · monthly
€350/mo
Single, cooking most nights
Dinner for two
€60avg
Mid-range, with wine
Internet
7.0/10
Fibre widely available
Baixa/Chiado
Historic & Touristy
1BR rent: €1,500 · Good for: Culture, Couples
Príncipe Real
Upscale & Quiet
1BR rent: €1,600 · Good for: Families, Remote workers
Mouraria
Authentic & Up-and-coming
1BR rent: €950 · Good for: Budget, Young professionals
Alfama
Traditional & Scenic
1BR rent: €1,100 · Good for: Culture, Singles
Parque das Nações
Modern & Family-friendly
1BR rent: €1,300 · Good for: Families, Remote workers
Expat-friendly
8.8/10
Nightlife
7.0/10
Quality of life
7.2/10
Mediterranean. Hot dry summers, mild wet winters.
JAN
13°
18d
FEB
14°
17d
MAR
17°
14d
APR
21°
9d
MAY
24°
5d
JUN
27°
1d
JUL
28°
0d
AUG
27°
1d
SEP
24°
5d
OCT
21°
9d
NOV
17°
14d
DEC
14°
17d
Top: avg daily high °C. Bottom: rainy days that month.
Summer high
28°C
Winter high
13°C
Rain days / year
110days
Coworking desk: €200 / month. Gym membership: €35 / month.
Coworking
€200/mo
Hot desk · standard
Gym
€35/mo
Standard chain membership
D7 Passive Income Visa, Digital Nomad Visa, Job Seeker Visa. EU citizens: free movement.
Healthcare
7.5/10
Public for residents
→ Who this city is for
Remote worker on €50–80k
Mid-range rent, good internet (7.0/10). Works if your salary travels.
Finance / high-earner (€120k+)
Tax rate of 28% erodes the salary premium. Better options exist for high earners.
Family relocation
Safety score 6.8/10 is a concern. Not the first choice for families.
Retiree / lifestyle mover
Good climate but rent at EUR 1,200/mo eats into fixed income.
Party / nightlife seeker
Decent nightlife (7.0/10) but not the headline reason to move here.
Every number in this dispatch, in one place. Verified May 2026. Sources: local cost surveys 2026, ECA International, Mercer, LinkedIn Salary.
Rent · 1BR centre
€1,200/mo
Rent · 1BR outside
€850/mo
Utilities
€120/mo
Groceries
€350/mo
Transit
€40/mo
Coworking
€200/mo
Gym
€35/mo
Est. total · single
€1,595/mo
Software engineer
€52,000/yr
Income tax
28%
Move score
€7.8/10
Safety
6.8/10
Walkability
8.5/10
Quality of life
7.2/10
Healthcare
7.5/10
Expat-friendly
8.8/10
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