Skyline of Portalegre
Cost of Living: 70 15,000

Portalegre, Portugal

A historic city near the Spanish border, known for its tapestry industry, hilltop castle, and scenic Serra de São Mamede.

Updated August 11, 2026
Cost of Living 70

Below Average vs Portugal Avg (100)

Housing Index 55

Affordable

Median Income €12,500

Household income

Unemployment 8.5%

Job market health

Portalegre vs Portugal Average

Cost of Living
Portalegre: 70
Portugal Avg: 100
Housing Index
Portalegre: 55
Portugal Avg: 100
State Income Tax
Portalegre: 28.5%

Taxes

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

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: €12,500
  • Unemployment: 8.5%
  • Population: 15,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 230/year
  • Summer High: 85°F
  • Winter Low: 40°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 6a

Housing

  • Median Home: €85,000
  • 1BR Rent: €400/mo

Cost of Living

Portalegre's cost of living index is 70 (Portugal average = 100).

CategoryPortalegreNational AverageDifference
Overall70100-30.0%
Housing55100-45.0%

Data source: INE / Numbeo, 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price€85,000
Median Rent (1BR)€400/mo
Median Rent (2BR)€500/mo
Price per Sq Ft€56

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 Portalegre:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity€80
Heating & Cooling€28Estimated 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€183Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: ERSE, EDP, Galp 2025

Remote Work Score

Portalegre scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
70
Rent
€400
Sunny Days
230
Tax
28.5%
Unemployment
8.5%
Climate
85°F / 40°F
Safety
0.7 homicides/100k
Population
15,000
Internet Speed
180 Mbps

Climate

Portalegre has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January60°F40°F2.5"
April70°F55°F2.8"
July85°F60°F1.5"
October65°F58°F2.2"
USDA Zone 6a

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

Natural Hazards

Portalegre faces the following natural hazards:

Earthquake High Risk

Active seismic zone with significant earthquake risk.

Wildfire High Risk

Mediterranean climate with frequent wildfires.

Drought High Risk

Southern Portugal experiences frequent droughts.

Heat Wave High Risk

Extreme summer heat.

Volcano Moderate Risk

Volcanic activity in the Azores archipelago.

Tsunami Moderate Risk

Atlantic coast with tsunami risk.

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 8.5%.

Crime & Safety

Crime rates in Portalegre 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

1
Universities
#1938
Top University Rank

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

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 Portalegre, Portugal?

The cost of living index in Portalegre is 70, which is Lower the Portugal national average of 100.

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

The median home price in Portalegre is €85,000. The housing index is 55.

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

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Portalegre is approximately €400/mo.

Does Portalegre, PTG have income tax?

Portalegre is in PTG, which has an income tax rate of 28.5%.

What is the climate like in Portalegre?

Portalegre enjoys approximately 230 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 85°F, while winter lows can drop to around 40°F.

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: August 12, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.