How much does it cost to live in Portugal? Monthly budget by city
| Rent (60 m², INE median) | €1,067 |
| Electricity, water, gas and internet | €100 |
| Groceries | €250 |
| Transport passes | €40 |
| Eating out, leisure and other | €150 |
| Total per month | €1,607 |
| Net pay needed per month (14 payments) | €1,378 |
| Gross salary, one earner | €1,826 |
Figures checked in October 2026 · See assumptions ↓
More options
Rent for this home in each city
How it was calculated
Rent is the median rent per m² for new leases published by INE (Statistics Portugal), times the size of the home. It is what people actually signed, not asking prices: in central Lisbon or Porto, listings are often higher.
The other costs are our estimates for a modest lifestyle: bills €70 plus €30 per person, transport passes at €40 per adult or €350 a month for a car (fuel, insurance, IUC road tax and upkeep), and children counted at about half of an adult. Change them in More options.
The salary needed uses the 2026 withholding tables for employees in Portugal (14 payments a year). It is an estimate.
Example: a couple with one child lives in a 2-bedroom flat (T2) in Porto. The median rent for 85 m² is €1,246, household bills €160, groceries €650, two transport passes €80 and leisure and other spending €375. The total is about €2,511 a month. You need €2,152 net a month, over 14 payments, or about €1,328 gross each if both adults earn the same.
Figures checked in October 2026 · Sources: INE: rendas (2.º trimestre de 2026)
Estimate: An approximate result that depends on assumptions. Confirm important figures with the relevant authority.
Frequently asked questions
How much do you need to live in Lisbon in 2026?
A single person renting a 1-bedroom flat at the INE median rent needs around €1,600 a month, and about €1,070 of that is rent. Smaller cities cost much less.
What is the cheapest city to live in Portugal?
Among the cities here, Viseu, Ponta Delgada and Caldas da Rainha have the lowest median rents per m².
How much does it cost to live alone in Porto?
With a 60 m² 1-bedroom flat (T1) at the INE median rent, public transport and modest spending, about €1,420 a month, of which €880 is rent. That takes a salary of about €1,577 gross a month.
What salary do I need to live alone in Lisbon?
For a 1-bedroom flat at the INE median rent and a modest lifestyle, about €1,826 gross a month, or €1,378 net over 14 payments. Rent takes close to two thirds of the monthly cost.
How much is a public transport pass in Lisbon?
The Navegante Metropolitano pass, valid across the whole Lisbon Metropolitan Area, costs €40 a month in 2026. It is the amount per adult this calculator uses for public transport.