⚖️ City comparison
Seattle vs Lisbon
Thinking of leaving Seattle for Lisbon? Here is how life in Lisbon, Portugal compares with Seattle on cost, weather, safety, internet, and what it takes to stay.
The short version
- Lisbon is 38% cheaper: $2,512 vs $4,048 a month all-in for one person.
- Rent is lower in Lisbon: $1,636 vs $2,470 for a 1-bedroom in the centre.
- Lisbon has more pleasant weather: 11 pleasant months a year vs 5.
- Lisbon is warmer: highs average 12°F more across the year (coldest-month high 60°F vs 46°F in Seattle; hottest 86°F vs 79°F).
- Residents rate Lisbon safer: a safety index of 67 vs 45 out of 100 (Numbeo survey).
- The air is cleaner in Seattle: PM2.5 of 4.5 vs 8.1 µg/m³ a year.
- 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 | 🇺🇸 Seattle |
|---|---|---|
| ⭐ Fit score (default weights) | 73 | 51 |
| 💰 All-in / month | $2,512 | $4,048 |
| 🏠 1BR rent, centre | $1,636 | $2,470 |
| 🛒 Living costs, no rent | $876 | $1,579 |
| ☀️ Pleasant months | 11 | 5 |
| 🌡️ Highs, coldest–hottest month | 60–86°F | 46–79°F |
| 🛡️ Safety | 67/100 (residents) | 45/100 (residents) |
| 📶 Internet, median download | 370 Mbps | 411 Mbps |
| 🌬️ Air, PM2.5 per year | 8.1 µg/m³ | 4.5 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
🇺🇸 Seattle
2 best months
Colour is each month's typical temperature; ticked months are the most comfortable. Full detail: Lisbon climate · Seattle climate.
Data last updated · Source: Numbeo cost data, measured climate history, Ookla, UNODC/Numbeo safety and curated visa research
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