Totnes vs Lagos
Single · Comfortable · $3,000/mo
Totnes is approximately 22% less expensive than Lagos based on cost of living including rent. This makes Totnes a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Totnes has a FIRE Score of 68/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 75, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Totnes is well-suited for retirees seeking a balanced lifestyle.
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Best in rowUnited Kingdom
Totnes
Portugal
Lagos
Estimates from published local prices. N/A means no figure is published for that city.
About these cities
About Lagos
Lagos is the rare small town that earns its hype: an overall expat score of 93/100 and a safety index of 82/100 back up the postcard, and 200 Mbps internet plus widely spoken English make it genuinely livable, not just photogenic. The catch is money. A local average net salary of $1,234/mo cannot touch $1,163/mo for a one-bedroom in the center, so this town runs on remote income, pensions, or savings, and the D8 visa's $3,900/mo threshold tells you exactly who Portugal expects to show up. If you clear that bar, few places at a 27/100 cost of living index deliver this much Mediterranean life for the price.
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.
Lagos costs roughly 57% less than Totnes. The cost gap makes Lagos the stronger pick for financial independence. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Totnes is approximately 22% less expensive than Lagos based on cost of living including rent. This makes Totnes a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Totnes has a FIRE Score of 68/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 75, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Totnes is well-suited for retirees seeking a balanced lifestyle.
About Totnes
Totnes is a small, quirky market town that punches above its weight for expats, but it is not a budget destination. The rent and living costs are steep relative to the local average net salary of $2,198/mo, leaving little slack for savings unless you earn remotely. The safety index of 75/100 and excellent healthcare make it a solid pick for retirees and families, while the small expat community and 70 Mbps internet keep it off the radar for most digital nomads. If you crave big-city amenities or a fast-paced lifestyle, look elsewhere; if you want a slow, artsy corner of Devon with easy access to the coast, Totnes delivers.
About United Kingdom
No retirement visa exists, and a difficult residency and citizenship path rules out anyone seeking a straightforward move. Rent near $1,344/mo plus 20% basic, 40% higher, 45% additional income tax bites hard. This fits Americans with UK ancestry, employer transfers, or high earners who value large expat networks and English-language ease over affordability.
$1,167/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
About Lagos
Lagos is the rare small town that earns its hype: an overall expat score of 93/100 and a safety index of 82/100 back up the postcard, and 200 Mbps internet plus widely spoken English make it genuinely livable, not just photogenic. The catch is money. A local average net salary of $1,234/mo cannot touch $1,163/mo for a one-bedroom in the center, so this town runs on remote income, pensions, or savings, and the D8 visa's $3,900/mo threshold tells you exactly who Portugal expects to show up. If you clear that bar, few places at a 27/100 cost of living index deliver this much Mediterranean life for the price.
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.
$1,259/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
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| Metric | Totnes | Lagos |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $950 | $1163.48 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $800 | $1093.39 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $1400 | $2429.75 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $1150 | $1990.53 |
| Safety Index | 75 | 82 |
| Internet Speed | 70Mbps | 200Mbps |
| Walkability Score | N/A | N/A |
Monthly cost by categoryOne person, computed from each city's own average prices
| Category | Totnes | Lagos |
|---|---|---|
| Total (rent included) | $1,833/mo | $1,741/mo |
| Excluding rent | $1,033/mo | $648/mo |
| Rent | $800/mo | $1,093/mo |
| Groceries | $222/mo | $179/mo |
| Dining out | $205/mo | $123/mo |
| Entertainment & lifestyle | $145/mo | $100/mo |
| Utilities & connectivity | $418/mo | $212/mo |
| Transport | $43.00/mo | $34.00/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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