City comparison

Chicago vs Lisbon

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

Overall verdict

Chicago scores higher overall

Lisbon is a step down on both savings and career opportunity

How they compare

If you want to save more

ChicagoOverall fitLisbon
62 / 28+34 Chicago
ChicagoSavingsLisbon
58 / 30+28 Chicago
ChicagoCareerLisbon
73 / 42+31 Chicago
ChicagoLow pressureLisbon
63 / 10+53 Chicago

If you want career growth

ChicagoOverall fitLisbon
68 / 33+35 Chicago
ChicagoSavingsLisbon
58 / 30+28 Chicago
ChicagoCareerLisbon
73 / 42+31 Chicago
ChicagoLow pressureLisbon
63 / 10+53 Chicago

If you want better balance

ChicagoOverall fitLisbon
66 / 44+22 Chicago
ChicagoSavingsLisbon
58 / 30+28 Chicago
ChicagoCareerLisbon
73 / 42+31 Chicago
ChicagoLow pressureLisbon
63 / 10+53 Chicago

Financial impact: moving from Chicago to Lisbon

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

-$3,087
Monthly
-$37,044
1 year
-$111,132
3 years

Moving from Chicago to Lisbon: trade-offs

You gain

+Better quality of life — Lisbon scores higher on lifestyle and liveability

You lose

Weaker savings potential — Lisbon is 28 points lower on savings capacity
-$3,087/mo estimated net reduction — $37,044 over the first year
Smaller career market — fewer top-tier roles and lower salary ceiling than your current city
Higher cost pressure — rent will consume a larger share of your income

Chicago

US
Salary index
70
Cost index
60
Rent pressure
37
Opportunity
74

Lisbon

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

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