Lisbon vs Budapest

Budapest is approximately 63% more affordable.

Lisbon
Lisbon
8.5/10
VS
Budapest
Budapest
7.8/10
💰

Cost of Living

ExpenseLisbonBudapest
Rent (1BR)$1300$650
Food$270$220
Transport$43$30
Total$1950$1200
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Quality of Life

FactorLisbonBudapest
Score8.5/107.8/10
Safety9/108/10
Weather17°C11°C
Internet100+ Mbps fiber100+ Mbps

Lisbon Pros

  • 300+ days of sunshine per year — one of Europe's sunniest capitals
  • Thriving startup and tech ecosystem — Web Summit, hundreds of startups
  • Excellent and affordable food — fresh seafood, pastéis de nata, incredible wine
  • High English proficiency among younger population — 70%+ speak some English

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Budapest Pros

  • Very affordable for EU capital
  • Stunning architecture along Danube
  • Famous thermal bath culture (Széchenyi, Gellért)
  • Vibrant ruin bar nightlife scene

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Verdict: Budapest is 63% more affordable. Choose Lisbon for digital nomads, or Budapest for budget expats.