Cork vs Lisbon: cost of living for digital nomads
Cork, Ireland 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
- Lisbon is about 7% cheaper than Cork for a month of nomad living ($2,500 vs $2,700).
- Lisbon scores higher on safety (9/10 vs 8/10).
- Internet is faster in Cork: 190 Mbps typical against 120 Mbps.
- Cork is temperate; Lisbon is mediterranean.
Cork wins 1 of the measured lines; Lisbon wins 6.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Cork or Lisbon?
Lisbon is cheaper: about $2,500/month against $2,700/month in Cork, roughly 7% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Cork or Lisbon?
Lisbon scores higher on safety: 9/10 against 8/10 for Cork.
Which has faster internet, Cork or Lisbon?
Cork has faster typical internet: 190 Mbps against 120 Mbps in Lisbon.
| Line | Cork | Lisbon |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $2,700 | $2,500 |
| Rent | $1,400 | $1,400 |
| Food | $560 | $500 |
| Transport | $90 | $45 |
| Coworking | $160 | $150 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 8/10 | 9/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 190 | 120 |
| Climate | temperate | mediterranean |
| City size | mid | metro |
| Setting | coast | coast |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 6/10 | 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): Cork September 11, 2026, Lisbon November 1, 2026.