Igoumenitsa vs Ourem: Which City Wins for Expats in 2026?
Igoumenitsa costs roughly 2.3x less than Ourem. Ourem scores significantly higher on safety and retiree suitability — worth weighing against the cost gap. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Igoumenitsa is approximately 46% less expensive than Ourem based on cost of living including rent. This makes Igoumenitsa a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Igoumenitsa has a FIRE Score of 84/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 70, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Igoumenitsa is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
About Igoumenitsa
Igoumenitsa is a cheap, small-town bet on the Greek coast, and the numbers back it up: a one-bedroom outside the center runs $243/mo, utilities $112/mo, and a single adult can live on roughly $542/mo at the budget tier. The catch is that local salaries average $1,121/mo, so unless you arrive with remote work or retirement income, the math gets tight fast. With a population of 9 thousand, a small expat community, and healthcare rated only fair, this is a place for self-sufficient types who want the port, the sea, and low costs more than convenience or company. The 84/100 expat and FIRE scores are genuinely strong, but the 60/100 retiree score tells you the infrastructure for older newcomers is not the draw here.
About Greece
Progressive tax brackets climbing to 44% will hit high earners hard, making Greece a poor fit for anyone still drawing a large US salary. Retirees living on the required USD 3,997/mo FIP visa income look past this easily, since $893.50/mo covers living costs before rent. A 1BR near the center runs around $560.16/mo, and high English proficiency smooths daily life despite the medium 53.6 safety score.
$2,198/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
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About Ourem
Ourem is a small-town bet that pays off if you want low rent and real safety without giving up access to Lisbon, since the nearest airport is just 4 km away. At $450/mo for a one-bedroom in the center and a $558/mo budget total for a single adult, it undercuts most of Portugal while posting an 89/100 expat score and an 85/100 safety index. The catch is limited English proficiency and a local net salary of $1,344/mo, so remote workers on the D8 visa need $3,900/mo to qualify and should not expect big-city conveniences. Retirees on the D7 visa, which requires $1,031/mo, will find the math far friendlier.
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.
$2,131/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
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| Metric | Igoumenitsa | Ourem |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $308.39 | $450 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $242.98 | $350 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $523.33 | $700 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $392.5 | $550 |
| Safety Index | 70 | 85 |
| Internet Speed | 75Mbps | 78Mbps |
| Walkability Score | N/A | N/A |
Monthly cost by categoryOne person, computed from each city's own average prices
| Category | Igoumenitsa | Ourem |
|---|---|---|
| Total (rent included) | $861/mo | $886/mo |
| Excluding rent | $618/mo | $536/mo |
| Rent | $243/mo | $350/mo |
| Groceries | $236/mo | $171/mo |
| Dining out | $112/mo | $129/mo |
| Entertainment & lifestyle | $108/mo | $69.00/mo |
| Utilities & connectivity | $162/mo | $167/mo |
| Transport | N/A | N/A |
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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Igoumenitsa vs Ourem -- Frequently Asked Questions
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