Portugal vs Spain — Full Cost of Living Comparison (2026)
Updated March 2026
Portugal has a cost of living index of 60.0 with average 1BR rent around $950/mo, while Spain sits at 64.0 with rent near $900/mo. Below is the full side-by-side breakdown for digital nomads, expats and remote workers weighing a move.
| Metric | Portugal | Spain | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mortgage Interest Rate | 4.00% | 3.60% | Spain |
| Savings Account Interest Rate | 2.50% | 2.60% | Spain |
| Credit Card Interest Rate (APR) | 16.8% | 17.5% | Portugal |
| Average Rent (1BR City Centre) | US$950/mo | US$900/mo | Spain |
| Real Estate Price (per m²) | US$3,700/m² | US$3,300/m² | Spain |
Summary
Portugal has a higher mortgage rate than Spain at 4.00% vs 3.60%. Rental costs in Portugal average $950/month compared to $900 in Spain, while the cost of living index sits at 60.0 versus 64.0. Overall, Spain looks more favourable across the headline numbers.
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How we calculate this
Cost of living, rent, mortgage, savings and tax figures combine official sources (World Bank, central banks, national statistics offices) with crowdsourced price data, refreshed regularly. Full breakdown: read our methodology.
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