Galway vs Lisbon: cost of living for digital nomads
Galway, 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 4% cheaper than Galway for a month of nomad living ($2,500 vs $2,615).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $1,350 in Galway against $1,400 in Lisbon.
- Lisbon scores higher on safety (9/10 vs 8/10).
- Internet is faster in Galway: 180 Mbps typical against 120 Mbps.
- Galway is temperate; Lisbon is mediterranean.
Galway wins 2 of the measured lines; Lisbon wins 5.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Galway or Lisbon?
Lisbon is cheaper: about $2,500/month against $2,615/month in Galway, roughly 4% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Galway or Lisbon?
Lisbon scores higher on safety: 9/10 against 8/10 for Galway.
Which has faster internet, Galway or Lisbon?
Galway has faster typical internet: 180 Mbps against 120 Mbps in Lisbon.
| Line | Galway | Lisbon |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $2,615 | $2,500 |
| Rent | $1,350 | $1,400 |
| Food | $550 | $500 |
| Transport | $85 | $45 |
| Coworking | $150 | $150 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 8/10 | 9/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 180 | 120 |
| Climate | temperate | mediterranean |
| City size | small | 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): Galway September 11, 2026, Lisbon November 1, 2026.