Overview

The Living Cost of Portugal is considered the lowest in Europe. Housing is quite expensive here; it depends on the area you live in and the rental rates there. Now, for outsiders, even getting accommodation here has become a problem. People get food but not accommodation because housing is a big issue here. Even if houses and rental apartments are available, they are very expensive. Overall, if you analyze the cost of living in Portugal, it is very difficult for common people to live here. From living expenses to food and travel, everything costs money.

If you are travelling to Portugal as an immigrant or tourist, you will not understand the cost of living because you can stay here temporarily. But when you stay here for a longer period, the situation is different.

The Living Cost of Portugal, Including Housing 

The basic cost of living in Portugal includes housing, food, travel, basic utilities, the healthcare system, and other expenses. As mentioned earlier, getting housing here is a big expense; you will get a two-bedroom here starting from 450 euros. If you look for a furnished room, then it will cost differently.

 Now, the cost of rent differs depending on which city you live in. If you look at the cost of living in Lisbon, it is comparatively more expensive than in other cities. It is impossible to get rental apartments here, that alone at a good price. You have to live in log-sharing houses. 4-5 working people can be accommodated in one room to save rent. 

So basically, living costs in Portugal as compared to their basic salaries are major differences, and in this century, basic salary is 870 euros, and you are paying 400 euros for just rent, so just think about it, how much a person can struggle.

Food and the Living Cost of Portugal 

Almost everywhere in Portugal, there is a variety of grocery stores of all sizes.  With more than 500 locations, Continente is the biggest retail supermarket chain; some of these stores sell non-grocery products like toys, clothes, housewares, and more.  Auchan, Spar, Mini Preco, Pingo Doce, and Inter Marche are other well-known chain stores.  Limited stock is available at discounted prices at stores like Lidl and Aldi.  Even certain items that are typically sold in the US under the Trader Joe’s moniker are carried by Aldi. 

Small grocery stores that provide a wide variety of goods in a more compact space at the same cost can be found in even the smallest settlements in Portugal.  When compared to North America, Portugal’s high quality and affordable pricing are praised by the majority of foreigners who reside there.

Is the living Cost of Portugal affordable or not?

If you compare the cost of living in Portugal with other Western countries, Portugal is considered one of the budget-friendly countries. The cost of living in Portugal is more affordable than in France and Germany. 

You can enjoy good cuisine here, you get lots of entertainment options, and most importantly, it is the safest country in the world. In many circumstances, Portugal seems to be an expensive country, but it depends on your situation, i.e., your salary and your spending habits, etc.

Average Expenses and The Living Cost of Portugal 

Portugal remains one of the affordable as compared to other countries in Europe. Here you can manage your expenses. Like the groceries, food, transportation, etc. The living cost of Portugal can depend on your lifestyle for example if your food habits are as follows like dine out, vacations on every weekend or the more time you spend on clubbing and drinks so average your budget will spike as compared to a normal person whose life style is simple and he relies on home cooked food so he will save more.

But if you are talking about rental expense, then that is expensive, as compared to other basic needs of life. In major cities like Lisbon and Porto, you get very expensive accommodations, but it also depends on your salary and lifestyle. If your salary is a minimum of 2500 euros, then you can afford a decent accommodation.

The Living Cost of Portugal If you are Single in 2025

If you are single and thinking of shifting to Portugal, your average expenses here will be up to 1000 euros. Again, it’s up to your lifestyle and habit of saving, the less you spend less the more you save. Let’s talk about renting apartments, and if you are willing to share a room, then you can save.  

Avoid using Uber and cabs for travelling and save money by using local buses and trains. Instead of going to restaurants, you can rely on home cooking and save a lot of money. So if you are a student or a single person thinking of moving to Portugal on a low budget, then you should think and improve your spending habits too, and you can survive in Portugal on a low income too.

The Living Cost of Portugal with Family in 2025

If you are willing to live in Portugal with your family and in a decent way, then your living expenses are quite high. You need a good and decent salary because you need more money for a good house and other expenses. But if both you and your husband and wife do a job and have a good salary, then your cost of living will not be difficult, but a single person cannot finance the entire family by doing a job, especially here.

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