Chicago, IL vs Lisbon: Which City Wins for Expats in 2026?
Lisbon costs roughly 64% less than Chicago, IL. Chicago, IL has significantly faster average internet speeds (200 Mbps vs 112 Mbps). Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Lisbon is approximately 66% less expensive than Chicago, IL based on cost of living including rent. This makes Lisbon a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Lisbon has a FIRE Score of 78/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 70, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Lisbon is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
Chicago, IL
United StatesAbout Chicago, IL
Chicago is a rare big American city where a $4,850/mo average net salary can actually cover a $2,000/mo one-bedroom outside the center, though you will pay for the privilege of living in Lincoln Park or Lakeview. The cost of living index sits at 88 against NYC's 100, which sounds like a bargain until you tally the $1,450/mo in non-rent costs and $293/mo in utilities. Safety is decent for a metro of 2.7 million, with a 70/100 safety index and a 30/100 crime index, but the FIRE score of 50/100 tells you this is not a city for aggressive early retirement. Come for the excellent healthcare, 200 Mbps internet, and large expat community; stay if you can stomach continental winters and a retiree score of 58/100.
About United States
Best for families seeking high English proficiency and excellent air travel access, with no retiree or digital nomad visa available. Internet speed of 390.28 Mbps and a large expat community support remote work, but the cost of living index is 100 (global baseline). Key trade-off: no retirement or digital nomad visa, and a complex pathway to residency or citizenship limits long-term stays.
$-2,500/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
About Lisbon
Lisbon is the rare European capital where a single adult can live on a budget tier of $1,137/mo and still walk past tiled facades to a $3 cappuccino. The catch is the salary math: local net pay averages $1,572/mo while a city-center one-bedroom runs $1,596/mo, so remote workers and D7 retirees win here far more than job seekers do. With a cost of living index of 54/100, an expat score of 86/100, and excellent healthcare, the tradeoff is real but the value is undeniable. Come for the light and the $45/mo transport pass, stay if your income does not depend on Lisbon.
About Portugal
A one-bedroom in central Lisbon runs about $1,040/month, roughly a third of comparable Boston or DC rents. Combined with $776 in monthly living costs, a couple can live well under $2,500/month total, and the D7 visa only requires $1,031 income to qualify. The catch: Portuguese progressive tax hits 48% (top bracket), so this works best for retirees on fixed foreign income, not high earners staying tax resident.
$1,176/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
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| Metric | Chicago, IL | Lisbon |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $2650 | $1595.62 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $2000 | $1189.97 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $4850 | $2828.55 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $3500 | $1979.01 |
| Safety Index | 70 | 70 |
| Internet Speed | 200Mbps | 112Mbps |
| Walkability Score | N/A | N/A |
Monthly cost by categoryOne person, computed from each city's own average prices
| Category | Chicago, IL | Lisbon |
|---|---|---|
| Total (rent included) | N/A | $1,890/mo |
| Excluding rent | N/A | $700/mo |
| Rent | N/A | $1,190/mo |
| Groceries | N/A | $168/mo |
| Dining out | N/A | $168/mo |
| Entertainment & lifestyle | N/A | $102/mo |
| Utilities & connectivity | N/A | $217/mo |
| Transport | N/A | $45.00/mo |
Usage-based estimates from this city's own average prices. A row marked N/A means that city is missing data, so no figure is shown instead of a stale one.
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Chicago, IL vs Lisbon -- Frequently Asked Questions
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