Chicago vs Lisbon — Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Which city is cheaper, safer, and better for remote workers? Here's the data.
NoodlePants Verdict — generated from live data
Lisbon edges out Chicago on affordability with a Cost of Living index of 56.4 vs 72 (US=100; mid-priced vs premium). Lisbon scores higher on safety (75/100), and Lisbon wins on internet at ~230 Mbps. Overall, Lisbon takes the Nomad Score crown with 82/100 — best for remote worker and eu base.
* Some figures are country averages — full city-level data coming soon.Pro members get neighbourhood-level breakdowns.
Metric
Chicago
Lisbon
Avg Rent 1BR (city centre)
US$2,000
US$1,450
Avg Rent 1BR (outside centre)
US$1,450
US$1,050
Cost of Living (US=100)
72
56
Safety Score
—
75/100
Internet Speed
—
230 Mbps
Nomad Score
—
82/100
Healthcare Score
—
79/100
Digital Nomad Visa
Not available
✓ Available
Who is each city for?
Chicago is better for…
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