Austin VS Lisbon

Cost of Living & Salary Comparison 2026

Austin
United States
64.8
COLI Index
#32
Global Rank
USD
Currency
Lisbon
Portugal
34.7
COLI Index
#72
Global Rank
EUR
Currency

Key Differences

Cost of Living
64.8
34.7
1BR Rent (USD/mo)
$1,800
$1,000
Total Deductions
19.5%
30.7%
Exchange Rate
1 USD = 0.8479 EUR
Is Austin cheaper than Lisbon?

Yes, Lisbon is 46% cheaper than Austin based on our cost of living index. Lisbon has a COLI of 34.7, while Austin has a COLI of 64.8. 46% cheaper

Key Takeaways: Austin vs Lisbon

Overall, Lisbon is approximately 46% cheaper than Austin based on our cost of living index. Austin has a COLI of 64.8 (ranked #32 of 182 cities), while Lisbon has a COLI of 34.7 (ranked #72).

When it comes to housing, one-bedroom apartment rent in Austin averages $1,800/month compared to $1,000/month in Lisbon. That makes Lisbon approximately 44% cheaper for rent alone.

Austin has lower total deductions (19.5%) compared to Lisbon (30.7%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in Austin. When evaluating a relocation, remember that total deductions directly impact your take-home pay and should be weighed alongside cost of living differences.

Tax & Deductions Comparison

Full breakdown of mandatory payroll deductions for a mid-range salary as a local employee in each city.

Austin

Income Tax
12%
Social Security + Medicare (FICA)
7.6%
Total: 19.5%Take-Home: $39,137/yr

Lisbon

Income Tax
20%
Social Security
11.0%
Total: 30.7%Take-Home: €15,293/yr

Rates shown for local employees. Expat deductions may differ — use the main converter for personalized calculations.

Salary Equivalent

If you earn $75,000 in Austin, you would need approximately €34,053 in Lisbon to maintain the same purchasing power. That is 46% less thanks to lower cost of living.

Salary Comparison by Job Title

Estimated mid-level annual salaries in local currency, adjusted for each city's cost of living:

Job Title Austin (USD) Lisbon (EUR)
Doctor (General) $116,640 €52,959
Software Engineer $55,080 €25,009
Product Manager $64,800 €29,422
Lawyer $64,800 €29,422
Data Scientist $61,560 €27,951
Marketing Manager $46,656 €21,184
Teacher $31,104 €14,122
Nurse $37,584 €17,065

Salary estimates are adjusted by each city's COLI relative to the New York baseline. Actual salaries vary by company, experience, and industry.

Neighborhoods

Austin (Top 5)

NeighborhoodMultiplier
West Lake Hills1.30x (+30%)
Downtown1.25x (+25%)
Clarksville1.25x (+25%)
Zilker1.22x (+22%)
South Congress (SoCo)1.18x (+18%)

Lisbon (Top 5)

NeighborhoodMultiplier
Chiado1.28x (+28%)
Príncipe Real1.25x (+25%)
Bairro Alto1.15x (+15%)
Estrela / Lapa1.12x (+12%)
Alfama1.10x (+10%)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Austin or Lisbon more expensive?

Austin is more expensive overall. Austin has a COLI of 64.8 while Lisbon has a COLI of 34.7, making Lisbon approximately 46% cheaper.

What salary in Lisbon equals $75,000 in Austin?

To maintain the same standard of living as $75,000 in Austin, you would need approximately €34,053 in Lisbon.

Is rent cheaper in Austin or Lisbon?

Average one-bedroom rent in Austin is $1,800/month compared to $1,000/month in Lisbon. Lisbon has lower rent by approximately 44%.

Which city has lower taxes, Austin or Lisbon?

Austin has lower total deductions (19.5%) compared to Lisbon (30.7%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in Austin.

Explore Each City

Data Sources & Methodology

Cost of living indices (COLI) are benchmarked to New York City = 100 and derived from Numbeo and Expatistan crowd-sourced price surveys, cross-referenced with national statistics agencies. Rent data from Numbeo Property Prices.

Salary ranges are compiled from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OES), Glassdoor, and PayScale. Tax rates are approximate effective rates for mid-range earners based on OECD Taxing Wages and national tax authorities. Exchange rates from the European Central Bank. Neighborhood multipliers are estimated from local rental indices and property data.

Last updated: 2026-02-28. Data is refreshed periodically. All figures are estimates for informational purposes only.