Athens vs Lisbon: which is better to live in?

Cost of living: Athens or Lisbon?

By our estimates, a comfortable mid-range life costs about €1,850 a month for one person in Athens and €2,100 in Lisbon, rent included. For a couple it’s €2,800 vs €3,050, and for a family of four €4,000 vs €4,500.

Rent drives most of the gap: a one-bedroom in the center runs about €850 in Athens against €1,400 in Lisbon, while a monthly transit pass costs €30 vs €40. Want to plug in your own lifestyle? Use the cost of living calculator.

Climate and weather

Winters average highs of about 14°C (57°F) in Athens and 16°C (60°F) in Lisbon. In summer it’s roughly 33°C vs 28°C. Athens gets about 2,773 hours of sunshine a year and Lisbon about 2,875.

Daily life

Athens is a capital / metropolis on the coast; Lisbon is a capital / metropolis on the coast. Athens is the cheapest capital in this batch to live in comfortably, with real culture, an actual city rhythm and a metro that works. It rewards people who can handle noise, heat and paperwork. Our estimate is about €1,850 a month for a single person. Lisbon is the best-connected and most international city in Portugal, with sunshine, a big nomad scene and direct flights to the US. It is also the most expensive Portuguese city and the one with the tightest housing, so budget for rent first.

Living in Athens: the upsides and downsides

• Lowest single-person budget in the batch among capitals at about €1,850 a month (our estimate)
• Metro, tram and buses cover the center; a 90-minute ticket costs €1.20 on the operator's own page
• Daily life centers on neighborhood cafes, markets and beaches within tram reach
• Downside: Summer heat above 34 degrees C in July and August, and weak air-conditioning in older flats
• Downside: Slow paperwork and a Greek-language public sector

Living in Lisbon: the upsides and downsides

• Direct flights to many US and Canadian cities
• Largest English-speaking and nomad community in Portugal
• Sunny, mild winters and beaches within 30 to 45 minutes
• Downside: Rents have risen faster than local salaries
• Downside: Hilly streets and cobbles make parts of the city tiring on foot

Visas and residency

Athens is in Greece and Lisbon is in Portugal. The main routes for each:

• Greece Digital Nomad Visa and Residence Permit — Digital nomad visa, open, €3,500/mo income
• Greece Financially Independent Person Visa — Passive income visa, open, €2,000/mo income
• Greece Golden Visa (Residence by Investment) — Golden visa, open, €400,000 investment
• Portugal D2 Visa (Independent Worker and Entrepreneur) — Freelance visa, open
• Portugal D7 Visa (Passive Income Visa) — Passive income visa, open, €920/mo income
• Portugal D8 Digital Nomad Visa — Digital nomad visa, open, €3,680/mo income
• Portugal Golden Visa (ARI Investor Residence) — Golden visa, open, €500,000 investment

Read the full guides: living in Athens and living in Lisbon.