Cost of Living in Portugal in 2025: Everything You Need to Know

Being the most affordable country in Western Europe is one of the top ten reasons to move to Portugal. For a family of four, you’ll need about €2,413, excluding rent, while the cost of living in Portugal for a single person is €682, excluding rent. On average, consumer prices in Portugal are almost 37 percent lower than in the USA. Rent prices in Portugal are 47 percent lower than in the United States. 

The cost of living in Portugal for a single person is a bit more expensive in Porto or Lisbon, where you’ll need about €1,200 to €1,500 a month. However, you can get by on way less in smaller towns or in lesser-known areas. For example, the cost of living in Guarda, a stunning city in Central Portugal, will be much more affordable than in Lisbon.  

You can live comfortably in Portugal on $2,000 a month, which amounts to €1,848, well above the Portuguese minimum wage. According to Numbeo, a one-bedroom apartment in Lisbon or Porto city center will cost about €1,000 – €1,400, and grocery prices at local markets are available at a reasonable cost and should come well within your budget if you spend it wisely.

Portugal is cheaper to live in than the US. Just about everything, healthcare costs, groceries, transportation, and properties are available at a more reasonable average price when you look at the cost of living in Portugal vs US. In Lisbon, rent for a property is 47.9 percent, consumer prices are 46.6 percent, and restaurant prices are 40.1 percent lower than in Washington, DC.

The public healthcare system is mostly free for residents and Portuguese citizens. However, you need to pay a small amount for a few procedures, such as diagnostic examinations, visiting a certain doctor, or visiting the emergency room.

Portugal has one of the lowest costs of living in Western Europe, where a couple can enjoy a comfortable lifestyle for €1,700 to €3,000 per month, depending on where they choose to live and their personal lifestyle and spending needs. Comparing Portugal cost of living vs US, Portugal’s living costs are 33.4 percent lower.

It depends greatly on your lifestyle and the city you choose to live in. The estimated monthly expenses for a family of four are €2,413 ($2,610), excluding rent. The monthly cost of living in Portugal for a single person is estimated to be €682 ($737), also excluding rent. The cost of living in Portugal is, on average, 36.7 percent lower than in the United States. 

However, the average monthly salary in Portugal is low, but the affordable cost of living makes up for the low income. The average monthly salary after taxes comes to around €1,200, and many locals in Portugal get by with less than €800 a month. Additionally, the cost of living for a couple in smaller cities in Portugal is around €1700, while living in a major city like Lisbon will cost upwards of €2,000 a month. 

According to Numbeo, the cost of living in Portugal for a family of four can be around €2,413, excluding the rent. Before you take the leap, reach out to online communities or an acquaintance living in Portugal as an expat. You can seek advice on the lifestyle Portugal offers and ask for information to help you create a sample monthly budget based on Portugal’s costs compared to your low-cost living in your home country.

In 2025, the average monthly salary in Portugal is estimated to be around €1,200, with a minimum wage of €870. Considering this income range, the cost of living in Portugal vs USA is still exceptionally affordable as Portugal offers significantly low-cost rent prices, transport prices, restaurant prices, school costs – including public and private universities – and general living costs.

Portugal has one of the lowest costs of living in Western Europe, where a couple can enjoy a comfortable lifestyle for €1,700 to €3,000 per month, depending on where they choose to live and their personal lifestyle and spending needs.

A single person typically spends around €1,200-€2,500 per month, including rent, though expenses vary by location, with living costs being higher in major cities such as Lisbon and Porto, and in the Algarve region in the south of Portugal.

According to Numbeo, rent prices in the United States are 43.3 percent higher than in Portugal. The USA cost for rent in Portugal is $1,519 (€1,402) for a single-bedroom apartment in the city center, while a single-bedroom apartment will cost $1,165 (€1,075) outside the city center. Bear in mind that housing prices and the cost of living in Portugal for a family of four will be higher than the average price. If you are asking yourself, “How much to live in Portugal?”, it’s likely a lot less than in the USA.

Yes, it’s possible to live comfortably in Portugal on $3,000 a month, but this will depend on your lifestyle and location. Typically, this budget covers basic needs like accommodation, food, transport, and utilities. However, pricier regions might demand stricter financial planning to maintain a comfortable standard of living. 

Yes, Portugal is considered to be one of the most affordable countries Western Europe to live in. The country has a much lower living cost compared to several other European countries, making it an attractive option for those looking for an affordable place to live.  

Costs will vary depending on the location, with Lisbon, in particular, having higher living costs. It’s worth bearing in mind, however, that, when answering the question “Is Portugal cheap?”, this will really depend on your lifestyle, where you aim to live, and your current living costs.

Portugal is generally more affordable than most Western European countries, with lower housing, dining, and transportation costs. For example, the average cost of living in Portugal is 29.1 percent less than in France.

Bear in mind, however, that wages are lower in Portugal than in other Western European countries. Lisbon and Porto are more expensive than smaller towns but remain competitive compared to major European capitals.

When comparing the cost of living in Portugal vs USA, Portugal is significantly cheaper. The cost of living in Portugal for a single person (monthly cost) without rent is around €682 ($737). In comparison to Washington DC, Lisbon is approximately 42.8 percent cheaper overall.

For non-EU/non-EEA/non-Swiss citizens, you will need to secure a visa, such as the D7 Visa (for retirees and passive income earners), the Digital Nomad Visa (for remote workers) or the Golden Visa (for investors), although there are several other residency options on the table. EU citizens can move freely. Consulting an immigration expert, such as Global Citizen Solutions, helps streamline the process.

Lisbon is more affordable than California, with the cost of living in Lisbon about 36.4 percent cheaper than in Sacramento, 36.8 percent cheaper than Los Angeles, and 46.5 percent lower than San Francisco. These percentages are from Numbeo taking into account the living costs in these cities (not including rent).

Portugal has seen hundreds of expats relocate to the country over the last decade. Below are some of the pros and cons of living in Portugal. 

• Pros: Exceptionally affordable cost of living, excellent climate, high safety, good healthcare, and welcoming locals.
• Cons: Lower salaries, bureaucratic processes, limited job market in certain industries, and occasional language barriers outside major cities.

A couple can live comfortably in Portugal on €1,700–€3,000 per month, depending on the location and lifestyle. Lisbon and Porto are pricier, although still fairly affordable compared to other European destinations, while smaller towns or rural areas offer more affordable living options. Healthcare and dining out stand out as extremely affordable compared with the USA and other Western European countries.

The cost of living in Portugal for international students depends on the city they choose to study in. International students can expect to spend €800–€1,500 per month, depending on rent and lifestyle. Student housing or shared apartments cost €300–€700 depending on the location. Dining, transport, and entertainment are also affordable compared to other Western European countries.

Portuguese public and private universities in Portugal offer some of the most affordable degrees in Europe, and it is a very good place to improve your Portuguese language skills. Even though the tuition fees are cheap, you are required to cover other costs during your stay, such as food, accommodation, study materials, and so on.

The cost of utilities in Portugal, including electricity, water, gas, and garbage collection, is around €115 per month. This is quite affordable as, in the UK for example, this would cost around €240.

Public schools are free, but private and international schools tuition fees range anywhere from €5,400 to €20,000 per year. Childcare costs vary, with daycare fees between €300–€600 per month. Nannies and babysitters are more affordable than in many Western countries, making childcare relatively accessible.

Portugal’s electricity prices are among the highest in Europe, but overall utility costs remain moderate due to lower consumption levels. Gas and water are reasonably priced, and internet costs are competitive. Compared to Northern Europe, Portugal is slightly cheaper but not the lowest in the region.

Americans will find living in Portugal to be quite affordable compared to the USA, particularly when it comes to healthcare and property costs when buying outside the key cities. Looking at Portugal compared to Washington, DC, you will find that the cost of living in Portugal in US dollars is much cheaper.

The cost of living in Portugal for a single person (estimated monthly expenses) without rent is around €682 ($737). In comparison to Washington DC, Lisbon is approximately 42.8 percent cheaper overall.

This will completely depend on your lifestyle and where you live in Portugal. The cost of living in Portugal for retirees is €1,300-€1,500 per month in small towns or €1,700 – €2,000 in larger urban areas such as Lisbon or Porto.

If you decide to retire in Portugal, you will definitely live a very comfortable and relaxed lifestyle and will find most things are very reasonably priced, from public transport to groceries and healthcare to property prices.

Lisbon, the vibrant and active capital of Portugal, is more expensive than the other cities, as is the Algarve region in the south of the country. If you are looking for luxurious, high-priced properties with extra facilities, such as a gym or a pool, then the costs might go higher, as they will if you partake in luxury shopping in Portugal. However, the cost of living in Lisbon is much lower and more affordable than in other European capitals.  

If you are interested in learning more about living costs in Lisbon, please check out our guide to the cost of living in Lisbon.