Lisbon vs Queenstown: cost of living for digital nomads
Lisbon, Portugal and Queenstown, New Zealand, 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 9% cheaper than Queenstown for a month of nomad living ($2,500 vs $2,740).
- Both score 9/10 on safety.
- Internet is faster in Queenstown: 200 Mbps typical against 120 Mbps.
- Lisbon is mediterranean; Queenstown is temperate.
Lisbon wins 5 of the measured lines; Queenstown wins 1.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Lisbon or Queenstown?
Lisbon is cheaper: about $2,500/month against $2,740/month in Queenstown, roughly 9% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Lisbon or Queenstown?
Lisbon and Queenstown score the same on safety, 9/10 each.
Which has faster internet, Lisbon or Queenstown?
Queenstown has faster typical internet: 200 Mbps against 120 Mbps in Lisbon.
| Line | Lisbon | Queenstown |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $2,500 | $2,740 |
| Rent | $1,400 | $1,400 |
| Food | $500 | $600 |
| Transport | $45 | $70 |
| Coworking | $150 | $160 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 9/10 | 9/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 120 | 200 |
| Climate | mediterranean | temperate |
| City size | metro | small |
| Setting | coast | mountain |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 10/10 | 6/10 |
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): Lisbon November 1, 2026, Queenstown September 11, 2026.