Lisbon vs Malé: cost of living for digital nomads
Lisbon, Portugal and Malé, Maldives, 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
- Malé is about 8% cheaper than Lisbon for a month of nomad living ($2,300 vs $2,500).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $1,200 in Malé against $1,400 in Lisbon.
- Lisbon scores higher on safety (9/10 vs 8/10).
- Internet is faster in Lisbon: 120 Mbps typical against 35 Mbps.
- Lisbon is mediterranean; Malé is tropical.
Lisbon wins 4 of the measured lines; Malé wins 2.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Lisbon or Malé?
Malé is cheaper: about $2,300/month against $2,500/month in Lisbon, roughly 8% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Lisbon or Malé?
Lisbon scores higher on safety: 9/10 against 8/10 for Malé.
Which has faster internet, Lisbon or Malé?
Lisbon has faster typical internet: 120 Mbps against 35 Mbps in Malé.
| Line | Lisbon | Malé |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $2,500 | $2,300 |
| Rent | $1,400 | $1,200 |
| Food | $500 | $500 |
| Transport | $45 | $80 |
| Coworking | $150 | $150 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 9/10 | 8/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 120 | 35 |
| Climate | mediterranean | tropical |
| City size | metro | mid |
| Setting | coast | island |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 10/10 | 6/10 |
Malé
Expensive island capital; many nomads base on cheaper local islands.
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): Lisbon November 1, 2026, Malé November 4, 2026.