Lisbon remains among world’s costliest cities

Lisbon has once again been listed among the world’s costliest cities for expats

in News · 27 Jun 2019, 10:00 · 7 Comments

According to the latest Cost of Living Index released by Mercer, the Portuguese capital was listed in 95th position and in close proximity to cities such as Berlin, Barcelona and Madrid.

Fuel prices, which are among the most expensive in the world, coupled with housing costs and eating out were the biggest influencers of prices in Lisbon.

The list is topped by Hong Kong, followed by Tokyo and Singapore.

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Comments

I'm not sure how Mercer came up with their methodology, but I don't see how Ottawa, Canada (my home) is in any way less expensive than Quito, Ecuador. I vacationed in Quito last January, and we were hard pressed to spend more than $5 US on a good meal or cab ride.

By Rob Gilbert from Other on 27 Jun 2019, 10:55

I live in Portugal and this article is rubbish.

By Diana from Other on 27 Jun 2019, 19:21

Comen guys stop throwing ********. Im living in pt n this article is not rubbish, just you people have to open yours eyes, you cannot find a single room less than 400eu, Ye you right I'm not talking about a studio house.. and the conditions, you guys not gonna believe before you see with ur own eyes., however Lisbon is a lovely place if you are rich so you can pay airBnb or uniplace on other hand you have to wait munimum 3 months to find a room with a ***** station and like I said minimum price is 400.

By Huseyin from Lisbon on 28 Jun 2019, 11:56

To those who disagree with the article.

They're talking about cost of living which goes to detail the ratio between wages and actual cost of items and services. Not euro for dollar (or whatever other currency)

Considering minimum wages,

In Ontario if you put 40 dollars of gas in your tank you spent 1.8% of your income.

In Portugal, the same number figure, 40 euros gives you 6.90% of your monthly pay.

Things are expensive anywhere and everywhere... It all changes based on your income.

By Charles from Lisbon on 28 Jun 2019, 15:01

Maybe Ms Diana is living for free in someone else's house somehow. That's why she doesn't know the reality of Lisbon at the moment. Have a good sleep

By Uddin from Lisbon on 29 Jun 2019, 17:23

In Ontario if you put 40 dollars of gas in your tank you spent 1.8% of your income....AND the gas is expended within 2 days lasts for 400-500 KM, as it combusts in your 6,8 cylinder Gasoline engine, waiting 4 minutes at major intersections and driving 80 KM (avg) day getting to work.

In Portugal, the same number figure, 40 euros gives you 6.90% of your monthly pay.

AND the Diesel in your vehicle lasts for avg 900 KM ...burns more efficiently as traffic lights are few and far between. City and rural civic road design includes mainly roundabouts, ...travel 80 KMs in Portugal and you have crossed through 1/4 of the country (west-EAST)...the fule comparison/cost does hold up. Different Size engines and routes for mobility. In Portugal, your fuel may cost more, but you get to travel longer distances with it.

Things are expensive anywhere and everywhere... It all changes based on your income.

By paul m from Other on 03 Jul 2019, 14:02

Yes, I'm from Lisbon, have been living in Denmark for long enough to say that Lisbon is way more expensive than Copenhagen in proportion to the local wages.

What does it matter if beverages and restaurants are cheap? that's good for the tourists, I'm telling you, not even the sunny weather is worthy if you have to work all day for a miserable wage and return to the suburbs by the end of the day coz you cannot afford living in town... once you reach home it's already dark ahah. education is expensive whilst job opportunities are poor if you even find one. In Portugal you'll need a car in most places in order to get around and harness the potential of the Portuguese landscape, it's not that you live in Lisbon and can easily reach the beach after work...

Portugal has became trendy in the past years but most people don't really know the truth. It's cool for the youth and single libertines, but come to Portugal and try to build up a family and then you'll see what I mean...

If you earn a Scandinavian salary in Portugal it's a different story... and that's actually the reality of the Portuguese upper class, whilst the majority is struggling and living in ignorance. People cannot afford to leave their parents and be independent.

By Bruno from Lisbon on 10 Mar 2020, 14:58