Lisbon VS Stockholm

Cost of Living & Salary Comparison 2026

Lisbon
Portugal
34.7
COLI Index
#72
Global Rank
EUR
Currency
Stockholm
Sweden
64.3
COLI Index
#34
Global Rank
SEK
Currency

Key Differences

Cost of Living
34.7
64.3
1BR Rent (USD/mo)
$1,000
$1,500
Total Deductions
30.7%
39.0%
Exchange Rate
1 EUR = 10.7371 SEK
Is Lisbon cheaper than Stockholm?

Yes, Lisbon is 46% cheaper than Stockholm based on our cost of living index. Lisbon has a COLI of 34.7, while Stockholm has a COLI of 64.3. 46% cheaper

Key Takeaways: Lisbon vs Stockholm

Overall, Lisbon is approximately 46% cheaper than Stockholm based on our cost of living index. Lisbon has a COLI of 34.7 (ranked #72 of 182 cities), while Stockholm has a COLI of 64.3 (ranked #34).

When it comes to housing, one-bedroom apartment rent in Lisbon averages $1,000/month compared to $1,500/month in Stockholm. That makes Lisbon approximately 33% cheaper for rent alone.

Lisbon has lower total deductions (30.7%) compared to Stockholm (39.0%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in Lisbon. 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.

Lisbon

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

Stockholm

Income Tax
32%
Employee Social Fees
7.0%
Total: 39.0%Take-Home: kr 267,812/yr

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

Salary Equivalent

If you earn €63,592 in Lisbon, you would need approximately kr 1,265,234 in Stockholm to maintain the same purchasing power. That is 46% more due to higher 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 Lisbon (EUR) Stockholm (SEK)
Doctor (General) €52,959 kr 1,053,687
Software Engineer €25,009 kr 497,575
Product Manager €29,422 kr 585,382
Lawyer €29,422 kr 585,382
Data Scientist €27,951 kr 556,113
Marketing Manager €21,184 kr 421,475
Teacher €14,122 kr 280,983
Nurse €17,065 kr 339,521

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

Neighborhoods

Lisbon (Top 5)

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

Stockholm (Top 5)

NeighborhoodMultiplier
Östermalm1.32x (+32%)
Norrmalm1.22x (+22%)
Gamla Stan1.20x (+20%)
Djurgården1.18x (+18%)
Södermalm1.15x (+15%)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Lisbon or Stockholm more expensive?

Stockholm is more expensive overall. Lisbon has a COLI of 34.7 while Stockholm has a COLI of 64.3, making Lisbon approximately 46% cheaper.

What salary in Stockholm equals €63,592 in Lisbon?

To maintain the same standard of living as €63,592 in Lisbon, you would need approximately kr 1,265,234 in Stockholm.

Is rent cheaper in Lisbon or Stockholm?

Average one-bedroom rent in Lisbon is $1,000/month compared to $1,500/month in Stockholm. Lisbon has lower rent by approximately 33%.

Which city has lower taxes, Lisbon or Stockholm?

Lisbon has lower total deductions (30.7%) compared to Stockholm (39.0%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in Lisbon.

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.