Cost of Living in Portugal for Single Person & Family

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Portugal could be an excellent choice for those seeking a fulfilling lifestyle without worrying about burning a hole in their pockets. It has ranked among one of the most highly-coveted cities in the world for its lowest cost of living in all of Europe, with a side of balmy weather and vibrant culture. 

Even though the cost of living in Portugal is considered one of the lowest, it is always advised to know the expenses before departing from your home country to plan better. 

This article will primarily focus on the cost of living in Portugal. 

Disclaimer: This article contains information gathered from online platforms as of September 2024. The sources are provided below.

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Average Cost of Living in Portugal for International Students

In the recent past, Portugal has become one of the highly coveted destinations for international students. Below is a breakdown of the typical living costs for international students in Portugal. 

Area of Expense Monthly Expenses (in Eur)
Accommodation EUR 150 – EUR 550
Food & Groceries EUR 150 – EUR 200
Transportation EUR 20 – EUR 40
Utilities EUR 80 – EUR 110
Entertainment EUR 120 – EUR 150
Personal Expenses EUR 25 – EUR 65

Average Cost of Living in Portugal for Bachelors, Couples & Families

Taking a sneak peek into Portugal’s average cost of living is the key to effective financial planning. Whether you’re single, a couple, or maybe someone who’s thinking of raising a family anytime soon – this table below will come in handy and help you plan your finances accordingly. 

Area of Expense Bachelors Couples Families
Accommodation EUR 780 – EUR 1500 EUR 2000 – EUR 2200 EUR 3000-3900
Food & Groceries EUR 30 – EUR 50 / week EUR 60 – EUR 100 / week EUR 100 – WUR 150/ week
Transportation EUR 20 – EUR 30 / week EUR 40 – EUR 60 / week EUR 60 – EUR 100 / week
Utilities EUR 80 – EUR 90 EUR 120 – EUR 130 EUR 150 – EUR 200
Entertainment EUR 50 – EUR 100 EUR 100 – EUR 200 EUR 150 – EUR 300
Personal Expenses EUR 100 – EUR 200 EUR 200 – EUR 400 EUR 300 – EUR 600

Cost of Living in Major Cities in Portugal

Here’s an overview of the average cost of living in the top cities of Portugal. 

 

Cost of Living in Lisbon 

The average cost of living in Lisbon is as follows: 

Area of Expense Students Bachelors Couples Families
Accommodation ER 250 – EUR 400 EUR 1015 – EUR 1500 EUR 1200 – EUR 1800 EUR 1300 – EUR 1700
Food & groceries EUR 90 – EUR 150 EUR 150 – EUR 200 EUR 300 – EUR 400 EUR 400 – EUR 600
Utilities EUR 50 – EUR 80 EUR 80 – EUR 130 EUR 80 – EUR 130 EUR 110 – EUR 150
Transportation EUR 30 EUR 40 EUR 60 – EUR 80 EUR 120 – EUR 160
Entertainment EUR 50 – EUR 100 EUR 100 – EUR 150 EUR 150 – EUR 250 EUR 200 – EUR 400

Cost of Living in Porto 

The average cost of living in Porto is as follows: 

Area of Expense Students Bachelors Couples Families
Accommodation EUR 450 EUR 780 – EUR 1300 EUR 1340 EUR 1450
Food & Groceries EUR 35 – EIR 50/ week EUR 40- EUR 60 / week EUR 70 – EUR 100 / week EUR 100- EUR 150 / week
Transportation EUR 5.60 / week EUR 15 – EUR 20 / week EUR 30 – EUR 40 /week

 

EUR 60 – EUR 80 (Monthly Adante Family Pass)

 
Utilities EUR 30 –EUR 50 EUR 60 – EUR 100 EUR 105 – EUR 200 EUR 150 – EUR 250
Entertainment EUR 50 – EUR 100 EUR 100 – EUR 150 EUR 150 – EUR 250 EUR 200- EUR 300

Cost of Living in Braga 

The average cost of living in Braga is as follows: 

Area of Expense Students Bachelors Couples
Accommodation EUR 300 – EUR 500 EUR 500 – EUR 800 EUR 700 – EUR 1000
Food & Groceries EUR 150 – EUR 200 EUR 200 – EUR 250 EUR 300 – EUR 400
Transportation EUR 26 – EUR 35 EUR 26 – EUR 45 EUR 50 – EUR 70
Utilities EUR 50 – EUR 80 EUR 80 – EUR 120 EUR 150 – EUR 200
Entertainment EUR 50 – EUR 100 EUR 100 - EUR150 EUR 150 – EUR 200 EUR 200 – EUR 300

Cost of Living in Aveiro

The average monthly cost of living in Aveiro is as follows:

Area of Expense Students Bachelors Couples Families
Accommodation EUR 300 - EUR 500 EUR 400 - EUR 700 EUR 600 - EUR 900 EUR 900 - EUR 1200
Food & groceries EUR 100 - EUR 150 EUR 150 - EUR 250 EUR 200 - EUR 300 EUR 300 - EUR 450
Transportation EUR 30 - EUR 50 EUR 50 - EUR 70 EUR 70 - EUR 100 EUR 100 - EUR 150
Utilities EUR 50 - EUR 80 EUR 70 - EUR 100 EUR 100 - EUR 150 EUR 120 - EUR 250
Entertainment EUR 50 - EUR 100 EUR 100 - EUR 150 EUR 150 -EUR 220 EUR 200 - EUR 300

Cost of Living in Coimbra

The monthly cost of living in Coimbra is as follows:

Area of Expense Students Bachelors Couples Families
Accommodation EUR 300 - EUR 500 EUR 400 - EUR 600 EUR 600 - EUR 800 EUR 800 - EUR 1000
Food & Groceries EUR 80 - EUR 130 EUR 150 - EUR 200 EUR 250 EUR 300 EUR 400 - EUR 500
Transportation EUR 30 - EUR 50 EUR 30 - EUR 50 EUR 50 - EUR 70 EUR 70 - EUR 100
Utilities EUR 50 - EUR 100 EUR 100 - EUR 130 EUR 130 - EUR 150 EUR 150 - EUR 200
Entertainment EUR 40 - EUR 100 EUR 100 - EUR 150 EUR 150 - EUR 200 EUR 200 - EUR 300

Factors Impacting the Cost of Living in Portugal

It’s always better to prepare yourself for what’s to come and consider a certain factor that may impact the cost of living in Portugal.

Location

The cost of accommodation can be a key determining factor when considering a new location. However, the cost of living can differ widely depending on the location, with urban areas like Lisbon and Porto being more expensive than rural areas.

Lifestyle

Personal expenses like dining out or indulging in leisure activities also play a crucial role in determining the cost of living in Portugal.

Housing

Rent is one of the biggest expenses and crucial factors to consider when evaluating the cost of living in Portugal, as it can make or break your standard of living. 

Transportation

Portugal’s public transport system is well-developed and affordable. However, owning a car can be expensive.

Utilities and Groceries

Basic utilities, including heating, would depend on the size of the property and how you use it.

What is the Average Income in Portugal?

As of 2024, the average income of Portugal’s monthly salary is 2750 Euros per month. However, the income needed to live comfortably in Portugal differs based on the city, location, and lifestyle: 

  • Student: An income of around EUR 300 – EUR 400 per month is a good amount to live comfortably as a student. 
  • Bachelor: A single person in Portugal generally needs somewhere between EUR 900 – EUR 1200 to live comfortably in major cities like Lisbon and Porto. 
  • Couple: With an earning of around EUR 1600 – EUR 2000 / month a couple can plan a super comfortable life in Portugal. 
  • Families: Families with a combined income between EUR 5900 – EUR 6193 to live comfortably in Portugal.

How Expensive is Portugal Compared to Other Countries?

If we compare Portugal to the US or other Western European nations, we can notice that the cost of living is significantly lower. Also, relatively cheaper transportation and dining expenses make Portugal an attractive choice for those seeking to settle down.

The following table compares the cost of living in Portugal with other major countries worldwide.

Category United States United Kingdom France Germany Spain Portugal
Groceries EUR 300 EUR 250 EUR 270 EUR 260 EUR 240 EUR 200
Restaurants EUR 250 EUR 220 EUR 200 EUR 180 EUR 170 EUR 150
Housing EUR 1500 EUR 1200 EUR 1000 EUR 900 EUR 800 EUR 600
Transportation EUR 100 EUR 90 EUR 70 EUR 80 EUR 60 EUR 40
Utilities EUR 150 EUR 130 EUR 120 EUR 110 EUR 100 EUR 100
Entertainment EUR 200 EUR 180 EUR 160 EUR 150 EUR 140 EUR 100

Tips for Reducing the Cost of Living in Portugal

Here are some tips that can help you plan better financials and calculate the cost of living in Portugal based on your income.

  • Long-term rentals: Opt for long-term rentals to avail properties at discounted prices.
  • Share accommodation is one of the best ways to cut extra expenses, as it can significantly reduce your housing costs.
  • Stay away from the city centre: Choosing locations away from the city centre can help reduce your overall expenses.
  • Cook at home: Try to cook your meals at home to avoid impulsive spending, as eating out can quickly add up to costs.

With the lower cost of living, Portugal stands out as a budget-friendly destination for those seeking a higher standard of living with a slice of sublime natural beauty and cultural heritage. That’s why Portugal is an excellent place for expats, digital nomads, and retirees to settle down.

FAQs about the Cost of Living in Portugal