Cape Town vs Lisbon: cost of living for digital nomads
Cape Town, South Africa 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
- Cape Town is about 36% cheaper than Lisbon for a month of nomad living ($1,600 vs $2,500).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $720 in Cape Town against $1,400 in Lisbon.
- Lisbon scores higher on safety (9/10 vs 6/10).
- Internet is faster in Lisbon: 120 Mbps typical against 80 Mbps.
- Both have a mediterranean climate.
Cape Town wins 4 of the measured lines; Lisbon wins 4.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Cape Town or Lisbon?
Cape Town is cheaper: about $1,600/month against $2,500/month in Lisbon, roughly 36% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Cape Town or Lisbon?
Lisbon scores higher on safety: 9/10 against 6/10 for Cape Town.
Which has faster internet, Cape Town or Lisbon?
Lisbon has faster typical internet: 120 Mbps against 80 Mbps in Cape Town.
| Line | Cape Town | Lisbon |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,600 | $2,500 |
| Rent | $720 | $1,400 |
| Food | $430 | $500 |
| Transport | $60 | $45 |
| Coworking | $130 | $150 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 6/10 | 9/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 80 | 120 |
| Climate | mediterranean | mediterranean |
| City size | metro | metro |
| Setting | coast | coast |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 9/10 | 10/10 |
Compare Cape Town with
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): Cape Town November 10, 2026, Lisbon November 1, 2026.