Lisbon vs Seoul: cost of living for digital nomads
Lisbon, Portugal and Seoul, South Korea, 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
- Seoul is about 12% cheaper than Lisbon for a month of nomad living ($2,200 vs $2,500).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $1,000 in Seoul against $1,400 in Lisbon.
- Both score 9/10 on safety.
- Internet is faster in Seoul: 250 Mbps typical against 120 Mbps.
- Lisbon is mediterranean; Seoul is continental.
Lisbon wins 4 of the measured lines; Seoul wins 3.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Lisbon or Seoul?
Seoul is cheaper: about $2,200/month against $2,500/month in Lisbon, roughly 12% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Lisbon or Seoul?
Lisbon and Seoul score the same on safety, 9/10 each.
Which has faster internet, Lisbon or Seoul?
Seoul has faster typical internet: 250 Mbps against 120 Mbps in Lisbon.
| Line | Lisbon | Seoul |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $2,500 | $2,200 |
| Rent | $1,400 | $1,000 |
| Food | $500 | $550 |
| Transport | $45 | $80 |
| Coworking | $150 | $170 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 9/10 | 9/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 120 | 250 |
| Climate | mediterranean | continental |
| City size | metro | metro |
| Setting | coast | inland |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 10/10 | 7/10 |
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, Seoul November 10, 2026.