Skyline of Lisbon
Cost of Living: 110 545,923

Lisbon, Portugal

Portugal's sun-drenched capital, blending historic charm with modern innovation, famous for its hills, trams, and pastéis de nata.

Updated October 4, 2026

Overview

Lisbon is a city in Lisboa with a population of 545,923. Portugal’s sun-drenched capital, blending historic charm with modern innovation, famous for its hills, trams, and pastéis de nata. Housing is notably more expensive than the national average. Gardening thrives here — the 6b growing zone supports Cool to mild — apples, pears, berries, many vegetables. Reported crime rates are relatively low. The population skews older, with a median age of 46.0.

Last updated: October 04, 2026

Cost of Living 110

Above Average vs Portugal Avg (100)

Housing Index 150

Above Average

Median Income €28,000

Household income

Unemployment 6.5%

Job market health

Lisbon vs Portugal Average

Cost of Living
Lisbon: 110
Portugal Avg: 100
Housing Index
Lisbon: 150
Portugal Avg: 100
State Income Tax
Lisbon: 28.5%

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 28.5%
  • Sales Tax: 23.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: €28,000
  • Unemployment: 6.5%
  • Population: 545,923

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 240/year
  • Summer High: 82°F
  • Winter Low: 47°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 6b

Internet Speed

  • Average 200 Mbps: 180 Mbps
  • Coworking Spaces: 15+ locations

Housing

  • Median Home: €500,000
  • 1BR Rent: €1400/mo

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Cost of Living

Lisbon's cost of living index is 110 (Portugal average = 100).

CategoryLisbonNational AverageDifference
Overall110100+10.0%
Housing150100+50.0%

Data source: INE / Numbeo, 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price€500,000
Median Rent (1BR)€1400/mo
Median Rent (2BR)€1,750/mo
Price per Sq Ft€333

Data source: Idealista / OLX Imóveis, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

€
%
$90,000 down
%
%
€

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Lisbon:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity€80
Heating & Cooling€14Estimated based on local climate.
Cooling (AC)N/AEstimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Water€35Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)€40Broadband average
Garbage / TrashIncluded in taxesMunicipal service (covered by property taxes)
Total Utilities€169Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: ERSE, EDP, Galp 2025

Remote Work Score

Lisbon scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
— 110
Rent
— €1400
Sunny Days
— 240
Tax
— 28.5%
Unemployment
— 6.5%
Climate
— 82°F / 47°F
Safety
— 0.7 homicides/100k
Population
— 545,923
Internet Speed
— 180 Mbps

Climate

Lisbon has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January67°F47°F2.5"
April67°F62°F2.8"
July82°F57°F1.5"
October62°F65°F2.2"
USDA Zone 6b

Cool to mild — apples, pears, berries, many vegetables

Natural Hazards

Lisbon faces the following natural hazards:

Earthquake High Risk

Historical major earthquakes including 1755.

Wildfire High Risk

Mediterranean climate with frequent wildfires.

Heat Wave High Risk

Extreme summer heat.

Drought High Risk

Southern Portugal experiences frequent droughts.

Tsunami Moderate Risk

Atlantic coast with tsunami risk.

Volcano Moderate Risk

Volcanic activity in the Azores archipelago.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 28.5%
  • Sales Tax: 23%
  • Property Tax: ~0.4% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 6.5%.

Crime & Safety

Crime rates in Lisbon per 100,000 residents:

95.8
Violent Crime
947.4
Property Crime
0.7
Homicide

City-level crime data is not available for this location. The figure shown is the national average, which may differ significantly from actual conditions in this city.

Data source: Eurostat

Schools & Education

Total Schools

Academic Schedule

School Hours 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM
Academic Year September to June
Term System Trimester — 1st (Sep-Dec), 2nd (Jan-Mar), 3rd (Apr-Jun)
Summer Break June to September (12 weeks)
Winter Break December to January (2 weeks)
Spring Break Easter holiday in March/April (2 weeks)

Standard national curriculum with regional variations.

Universities & Higher Education

3
Universities
#211
Top University Rank
1
Top 500 Universities
Top-Ranked University University of Lisbon

Data source: Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) & World Universities Database

Demographics

The population of Lisbon is diverse. The figures below show the ethnic, educational, and religious composition of the local population.

Ethnicity

EU foreign
3.6%
Foreign
20.2%
Non-EU foreign
16.6%

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
20.2%
High school graduate
28.4%
Less than high school
51.4%

Religion

Demographic composition is derived from the Eurostat Urban Audit (city-level). Ethnicity figures are based on nationality / country of birth, as European statistics do not collect race or ethnicity data. Education figures reflect the highest level of education attained by the population aged 25-64.

Data source: Eurostat Urban Audit (2023)

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Lisbon, Portugal?

The cost of living index in Lisbon is 110, which is Higher the Portugal national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Lisbon?

The median home price in Lisbon is €500,000. The housing index is 150.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Lisbon is approximately €1400/mo.

Does Lisbon, LIS have income tax?

Lisbon is in LIS, which has an income tax rate of 28.5%.

What is the climate like in Lisbon?

Lisbon enjoys approximately 240 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 82°F, while winter lows can drop to around 47°F.

Relocation Guides

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: INE / Numbeo, 2026
  • Housing Data: Idealista / OLX Imóveis, 2026
  • Income & Employment: INE Labour Force Survey, 2024
  • Utilities ERSE, EDP, Galp 2025

Data last updated: October 21, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.