⚖️ City comparison
San Diego vs Lisbon
Thinking of leaving San Diego for Lisbon? Here is how life in Lisbon, Portugal compares with San Diego on cost, weather, safety, internet, and what it takes to stay.
The short version
- Lisbon is 47% cheaper: $2,512 vs $4,738 a month all-in for one person.
- Rent is lower in Lisbon: $1,636 vs $3,373 for a 1-bedroom in the centre.
- San Diego has more pleasant weather: 12 pleasant months a year vs 11.
- Lisbon is warmer: highs average 2°F more across the year (coldest-month high 60°F vs 62°F in San Diego; hottest 86°F vs 78°F).
- Residents rate Lisbon safer: a safety index of 67 vs 60 out of 100 (Numbeo survey).
- To live in Lisbon you'd need a visa: Portugal offers the D8 Digital Nomad Visa ($4,228/mo), and 90 days visa-free to look around first.
Side by side
| Measure | 🇵🇹 Lisbon | 🇺🇸 San Diego |
|---|---|---|
| ⭐ Fit score (default weights) | 73 | 61 |
| 💰 All-in / month | $2,512 | $4,738 |
| 🏠 1BR rent, centre | $1,636 | $3,373 |
| 🛒 Living costs, no rent | $876 | $1,365 |
| ☀️ Pleasant months | 11 | 12 |
| 🌡️ Highs, coldest–hottest month | 60–86°F | 62–78°F |
| 🛡️ Safety | 67/100 (residents) | 60/100 (residents) |
| 📶 Internet, median download | 370 Mbps | 360 Mbps |
| 🌬️ Air, PM2.5 per year | 8.1 µg/m³ | 6.9 µg/m³ |
| 🗣️ English | Very high (EF) | Official language |
| 🏥 Healthcare access (WHO) | Very high | Very high |
| 👩 Women's safety & rights | Very high | High |
| 🏳️🌈 LGBTQ+ equality | Very high | High |
| ✈️ Flight to the US (est.) | ~7h to New York | In the US |
| 🕘 US work-hour overlap | 2 h | 6 h |
| 🗓️ Visa-free stay (US passport) | 90 days | You live here |
| 🛂 Nomad visa | D8 Digital Nomad Visa | Not needed |
| 🧾 Tax if resident | 🔴 Heavy · Worldwide income, top 48% | US tax as now |
Best months to be there
🇵🇹 Lisbon
5 best months
🇺🇸 San Diego
6 best months
Colour is each month's typical temperature; ticked months are the most comfortable. Full detail: Lisbon climate · San Diego climate.
Data last updated · Source: Numbeo cost data, measured climate history, Ookla, UNODC/Numbeo safety and curated visa research
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