Portugal vs Spain
Portugal costs roughly 6% less than Spain. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Portugal is approximately 6% less expensive than Spain 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 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 920 EUR income to qualify. The catch: Portuguese progressive tax hits 48%, so this works best for retirees on fixed foreign income, not high earners staying tax resident.
$1,185/mo
Not sure which Portugal visa you qualify for?
Answer 10 questions and get a personalized match in under 2 minutes.
Living Costs (excl. rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness Scores
About Spain
Retirees and remote workers get a genuine European base without the Northern Europe price tag: rent outside the center averages $804/mo, well under NYC costs. Healthcare scores 77.3, life expectancy tops 82, and a large expat community softens the medium English proficiency. The catch is tax: standard rates climb to 47%, though the Beckham Law flat 24% option changes the math for qualifying newcomers.
$1,148/mo
Not sure which Spain visa you qualify for?
Answer 10 questions and get a personalized match in under 2 minutes.
Living Costs (excl. rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness Scores
Battle of Lifestyles
Scroll to compare
| Metric | Portugal | Spain |
|---|---|---|
| Travel Advisory | Level 1 — Normal Precautions | Level 2 — Increased Caution |
| Quality of Life Index | 167.8 | 184.4 +16.6 |
| Healthcare Index | 72.2 | 77.3 +5.1 |
| Safety Index | 67.9 +4.5 | 63.4 |
| Cost of Living Index | 41.2 +2.3 | 43.5 |
| Living Costs (Single, excl. rent) | $775.7 +47.7 | $823.4 |
| Living Costs (Family, excl. rent) | $2,805.2 +170.7 | $2,975.9 |
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $1,039.76 | $1,028.43 +11.33 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $823.97 | $804.37 +19.6 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $1,755 | $1,636.42 +118.58 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $1,328.84 | $1,232.15 +96.69 |
| Avg Internet Speed | 351.94 Mbps +88.6 | 263.31 Mbps |
Expat taxes filed by specialists
Greenback Expat Tax handles US taxes for Americans living in Spain. File confidently from abroad.
File your taxes →International health insurance from $45/mo
Get covered before you move to Spain. Genki Traveler offers insurance designed for nomads and expats.
Get a quote →Related Comparisons
Explore Spain
Popular Comparisons
Cities
Countries
Frequently Asked Questions
Click any question to expand the answer.