Arlon vs Lisbon
Single · Comfortable · $3,000/mo
Arlon is approximately 78% less expensive than Lisbon based on cost of living including rent. This makes Arlon a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Arlon has a FIRE Score of 70/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 86, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Arlon is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
Side by side
Best in rowBelgium
Arlon
Portugal
Lisbon
Estimates from published local prices. N/A means no figure is published for that city.
About these cities
About Lisbon
Lisbon is the rare European capital where a single adult can live on a budget tier of $1,137/mo and still walk past tiled facades to a $3 cappuccino. The catch is the salary math: local net pay averages $1,572/mo while a city-center one-bedroom runs $1,596/mo, so remote workers and D7 retirees win here far more than job seekers do. With a cost of living index of 54/100, an expat score of 86/100, and excellent healthcare, the tradeoff is real but the value is undeniable. Come for the light and the $45/mo transport pass, stay if your income does not depend on Lisbon.
About Portugal
A one-bedroom in central Lisbon runs about $1,040/month, roughly a third of comparable Boston or DC rents. Combined with $776 in monthly living costs, a couple can live well under $2,500/month total, and the D7 visa only requires $1,031 income to qualify. The catch: Portuguese progressive tax hits 48% (top bracket), so this works best for retirees on fixed foreign income, not high earners staying tax resident.
Lisbon costs roughly 24% less than Arlon. Arlon scores significantly higher on safety — worth weighing against the cost gap. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Arlon is approximately 78% less expensive than Lisbon based on cost of living including rent. This makes Arlon a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Arlon has a FIRE Score of 70/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 86, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Arlon is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
About Arlon
Arlon is a small, safe town where a single adult can live on a budget tier of $1,174/mo, and the average monthly net salary of $2,860/mo leaves real room to save. The catch is the expat scene: with a community size of very few and English common only in tourist areas, you will need French to feel at home. Rents are oddly flat, with a 1-bedroom outside the centre at $925/mo costing more than the $897/mo city-centre rate, so bargain hard before you sign. Come for the 86/100 safety index and excellent healthcare, not for the nightlife.
About Belgium
Offers a clear pathway to citizenship, though no specific retiree visa is available. Those seeking long-term stays may explore other visa categories. Rent in Brussels is under $1,000/month, roughly 70% less than a typical US city center. However, income tax can hit 50% plus communal surcharges, making it a high-tax destination for remote workers.
$788/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
About Lisbon
Lisbon is the rare European capital where a single adult can live on a budget tier of $1,137/mo and still walk past tiled facades to a $3 cappuccino. The catch is the salary math: local net pay averages $1,572/mo while a city-center one-bedroom runs $1,596/mo, so remote workers and D7 retirees win here far more than job seekers do. With a cost of living index of 54/100, an expat score of 86/100, and excellent healthcare, the tradeoff is real but the value is undeniable. Come for the light and the $45/mo transport pass, stay if your income does not depend on Lisbon.
About Portugal
A one-bedroom in central Lisbon runs about $1,040/month, roughly a third of comparable Boston or DC rents. Combined with $776 in monthly living costs, a couple can live well under $2,500/month total, and the D7 visa only requires $1,031 income to qualify. The catch: Portuguese progressive tax hits 48% (top bracket), so this works best for retirees on fixed foreign income, not high earners staying tax resident.
$1,110/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
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| Metric | Arlon | Lisbon |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $897.14 | $1595.62 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $925.18 | $1189.97 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $1682.14 | $2828.55 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $1682.14 | $1979.01 |
| Safety Index | 86 | 66.92 |
| Internet Speed | 85Mbps | 112Mbps |
| Walkability Score | N/A | N/A |
Monthly cost by categoryOne person, computed from each city's own average prices
| Category | Arlon | Lisbon |
|---|---|---|
| Total (rent included) | N/A | $1,867/mo |
| Excluding rent | N/A | $677/mo |
| Rent | N/A | $1,190/mo |
| Groceries | N/A | $168/mo |
| Dining out | N/A | $168/mo |
| Entertainment & lifestyle | N/A | $102/mo |
| Utilities & connectivity | N/A | $194/mo |
| Transport | N/A | $45.00/mo |
Usage-based estimates from this city's own average prices. A row marked N/A means that city is missing data, so no figure is shown instead of a stale one.
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