Cascais vs Sliema
Single · Comfortable · $3,000/mo
Sliema is approximately 0% less expensive than Cascais based on cost of living including rent. This makes Sliema a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Sliema has a FIRE Score of 72/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 67.47, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Sliema is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
Side by side
Best in rowPortugal
Cascais
Malta
Sliema
Estimates from published local prices. N/A means no figure is published for that city.
About these cities
About Cascais
Cascais is a polished coastal town that earns its 77/100 expat score, but the rent will test your resolve: $1,752/mo for a one-bedroom in the center against a local average net salary of $2,257/mo is a brutal ratio. Move outside the center and that drops to $1,137/mo, which is the only sane play unless you are arriving with foreign income or a remote salary that clears the $3,900/mo digital nomad visa bar. The upside is real: a 75/100 cost of living index, a 78/100 safety index, and LIS just 6 km away make it one of the easiest soft landings in Europe. Come for the Mediterranean climate and the large, active expat community, stay if your budget can handle the center, and settle for the outskirts if it cannot.
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.
Sliema costs roughly 21% less than Cascais. Cascais has significantly faster average internet speeds (150 Mbps vs 75 Mbps). Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Sliema is approximately 0% less expensive than Cascais based on cost of living including rent. This makes Sliema a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Sliema has a FIRE Score of 72/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 67.47, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Sliema is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
About Cascais
Cascais is a polished coastal town that earns its 77/100 expat score, but the rent will test your resolve: $1,752/mo for a one-bedroom in the center against a local average net salary of $2,257/mo is a brutal ratio. Move outside the center and that drops to $1,137/mo, which is the only sane play unless you are arriving with foreign income or a remote salary that clears the $3,900/mo digital nomad visa bar. The upside is real: a 75/100 cost of living index, a 78/100 safety index, and LIS just 6 km away make it one of the easiest soft landings in Europe. Come for the Mediterranean climate and the large, active expat community, stay if your budget can handle the center, and settle for the outskirts if it cannot.
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.
$991/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
About Sliema
Sliema is a solid pick if you want Mediterranean living without a language barrier, and the numbers back it up: a cost of living index of 62 against NYC, English widely spoken, and an expat score of 84. The catch is rent, where a one bedroom in the center runs $1,751/mo while the average local net salary sits at $1,820/mo, so remote workers and retirees on outside income will fare far better than anyone hunting for a local job. Budget roughly $2,001/mo for a mid-range single life, and accept that this compact 23 thousand person town trades space and quiet for walkability and a large, active expat crowd.
About Malta
Best for digital nomads: Malta offers a Nomad Residence Permit with a clear USD 3,997/mo income requirement, making it accessible for remote workers. Safety is high (US Travel Advisory Level 1) and English proficiency is high, easing daily life. However, the progressive income tax (0% to 35%) can be a hidden cost for higher earners, and the Nomad Residence Permit can lead to permanent residency.
$942/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
Which visa fits your move?
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| Metric | Cascais | Sliema |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $1752.39 | $1751.27 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $1330.71 | $1216.78 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $4178.96 | $2918.78 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $2977.6 | $2382.55 |
| Safety Index | 70.42 | 67.47 |
| Internet Speed | 150Mbps | 75.2Mbps |
| Walkability Score | N/A | N/A |
Monthly cost by categoryOne person, computed from each city's own average prices
| Category | Cascais | Sliema |
|---|---|---|
| Total (rent included) | $2,019/mo | $2,058/mo |
| Excluding rent | $688/mo | $841/mo |
| Rent | $1,331/mo | $1,217/mo |
| Groceries | $165/mo | $212/mo |
| Dining out | $157/mo | $196/mo |
| Entertainment & lifestyle | $105/mo | $128/mo |
| Utilities & connectivity | $216/mo | $171/mo |
| Transport | $45.00/mo | $134/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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