Italy vs Portugal
Portugal costs roughly 24% less than Italy. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Portugal is approximately 24% less expensive than Italy based on cost of living including rent. This makes Portugal a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Portugal has a FIRE Score of 59/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The country's safety index is 67.9, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Portugal is well-suited for retirees seeking a balanced lifestyle.
About Italy
Retirees with steady income fare better here than remote workers chasing savings. Rent outside the center runs $660.88/mo, cheap by European standards, but income tax climbing to 43% erodes any freelance upside fast. The Elective Residence Visa requires $2,895/mo in passive income, and citizenship stays complex even after years of residency.
$1,138/mo
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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.
$1,185/mo
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Living Costs (excl. rent)
Rent Per Month
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Country Details →Battle of Lifestyles
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| Metric | Italy | Portugal |
|---|---|---|
| Travel Advisory | Level 2: Increased Caution | Level 1: Normal Precautions |
| Quality of Life Index | 151 | 167.8 +16.8 |
| Healthcare Index | 65.1 | 72.2 +7.1 |
| Safety Index | 53.1 | 67.9 +14.8 |
| Cost of Living Index | 51 | 41.2 +9.8 |
| Living Costs (Single, excl. rent) | $1,017.2 | $775.7 +241.5 |
| Living Costs (Family, excl. rent) | $3,632.9 | $2,805.2 +827.7 |
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $845.17 +194.59 | $1,039.76 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $660.88 +163.09 | $823.97 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $1,474.53 +280.47 | $1,755 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $1,091.27 +237.57 | $1,328.84 |
| Avg Internet Speed | 285.05 Mbps | 351.94 Mbps +66.9 |
Expat taxes filed by specialists
Greenback Expat Tax handles US taxes for Americans living in Portugal. File confidently from abroad.
File your taxes →International health insurance from $45/mo
Get covered before you move to Portugal. Genki Traveler offers insurance designed for nomads and expats.
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