Cost of Living in Portugal

"The cost of living in Portugal is generally considered to be reasonably affordable. The cost of basic food items, such as milk, bread, and cheese, is quite cheap. Utility bills such as water, electricity, and gas are also relatively affordable. Housing costs can vary depending on the location and type of accommodation, but furnished apartments and houses are available at reasonable prices. Public transportation is also affordable as tickets are very inexpensive. Entertainment and leisure activities can be more expensive, but there are numerous inexpensive options available," remarked one expat in Portugal.

"At this point, I'm thinking $1500-$2000 per month will be plenty. I'm still buying things for my apartment so don't have a really good sense of how much I will consistently spend," explained one expat living in Cascais.

"Living in Portugal can be more affordable than living in the United States, as the cost of living is much lower. Rent, food, utilities and entertainment can all be more cost-effective when living in Portugal compared to in the United States. Additionally, healthcare costs are significantly lower in Portugal than in the U.S. Portugal is also home to many tax incentives that can help make living in Portugal even more affordable," explained one expat.

"It has met my expectations and I'm still amazed at the low cost of many things. But, there are other things that are more expensive than in the US," said one person in Cascais.

"Housing cost is less than half of what we were paying in Denver, Colorado. Depending on the size of place you need and location, $700-1200/month can be average. Porto is more affordable than Lisbon and Vila Nova de Gaia, which is a 10 minute drive from Porto, across the river can be several hundred dollars cheaper than Porto. Neighboring smaller cities are even more affordable," said one expat in Porto.

"The cost of renting a nice 1 bedroom apartment in Portugal can vary widely depending on the precise location and amenities offered. Generally, you can expect to pay anything from around $500-$1200 per month for a standard 1 bedroom apartment. For a nice 2 bedroom apartment, you can expect to pay from around $750 up to around $1800 per month," commented one expat who moved to Portugal.

"Many rental properties in Portugal come with a range of appliances to make life more comfortable, such as a refrigerator, stove, and washing machine. The kitchen may also include a dishwasher, cooktop, and oven to make cooking and entertaining more enjoyable. Depending on the property, air conditioning and central heating may also be included. Other common appliances typically found in rental homes in Portugal include a fan, television, microwave, toaster, and coffee machine," remarked one expat living in Portugal.