Brussels vs Lisbon: cost of living for digital nomads
Brussels, Belgium and Lisbon, Portugal, line by line from the catalogue: what a month costs, rent, food, coworking, safety and internet. Every figure links back to its source on the city page.
The short version
- Brussels is about 9% cheaper than Lisbon for a month of nomad living ($2,280 vs $2,500).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $1,050 in Brussels against $1,400 in Lisbon.
- Lisbon scores higher on safety (9/10 vs 7/10).
- Internet is faster in Brussels: 180 Mbps typical against 120 Mbps.
- Brussels is temperate; Lisbon is mediterranean.
Brussels wins 3 of the measured lines; Lisbon wins 5.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Brussels or Lisbon?
Brussels is cheaper: about $2,280/month against $2,500/month in Lisbon, roughly 9% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Brussels or Lisbon?
Lisbon scores higher on safety: 9/10 against 7/10 for Brussels.
Which has faster internet, Brussels or Lisbon?
Brussels has faster typical internet: 180 Mbps against 120 Mbps in Lisbon.
| Line | Brussels | Lisbon |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $2,280 | $2,500 |
| Rent | $1,050 | $1,400 |
| Food | $540 | $500 |
| Transport | $60 | $45 |
| Coworking | $170 | $150 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 7/10 | 9/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 180 | 120 |
| Climate | temperate | mediterranean |
| City size | metro | metro |
| Setting | inland | coast |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 7/10 | 10/10 |
Costs are typical monthly figures for one person in USD, from the sources named on each city page; safety and internet are the catalogue's own ratings. Cost figures verified (Eastern Time): Brussels September 11, 2026, Lisbon November 1, 2026.