City comparison

Cape Town vs Lisbon

Lisbon scores higher on salary; Cape Town has a lower cost of living. Compare Cape Town and Lisbon on earnings, rent pressure, career opportunity, and 3-year financial impact.

Overall verdict

Cape Town scores higher overall

Lisbon would cost you meaningfully more to live in

How they compare

If you want to save more

Cape TownOverall fitLisbon
49 / 28+21 Cape
Cape TownSavingsLisbon
54 / 30+24 Cape
Cape TownCareerLisbon
36 / 42+6 Lisbon
Cape TownLow pressureLisbon
48 / 10+38 Cape

If you want career growth

Cape TownOverall fitLisbon
42 / 33+9 Cape
Cape TownSavingsLisbon
54 / 30+24 Cape
Cape TownCareerLisbon
36 / 42+6 Lisbon
Cape TownLow pressureLisbon
48 / 10+38 Cape

If you want better balance

Cape TownOverall fitLisbon
56 / 44+12 Cape
Cape TownSavingsLisbon
54 / 30+24 Cape
Cape TownCareerLisbon
36 / 42+6 Lisbon
Cape TownLow pressureLisbon
48 / 10+38 Cape

Financial impact: moving from Cape Town to Lisbon

Based on a representative $80,000 USD salary. Not tax-adjusted.

-$3,524
Monthly
-$42,288
1 year
-$126,864
3 years

Moving from Cape Town to Lisbon: trade-offs

You lose

Weaker savings potential — Lisbon is 24 points lower on savings capacity
-$3,524/mo estimated net reduction — $42,288 over the first year
Higher cost pressure — rent will consume a larger share of your income

Cape Town

ZA
Salary index
28
Cost index
26
Rent pressure
52
Opportunity
40

Lisbon

PT
Salary index
30
Cost index
50
Rent pressure
90
Opportunity
48

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