Last Updated on December 19, 2022 by Laila Oliveira
Looking for a popular yet laid-back city on the Silver Coast of Portugal? Aveiro is your destination. Popularly referred to as the Venice of Portugal, Aveiro has plenty of beautiful boats, canals, and houses similar to those found in the beautiful city of Venice. Is the cost of living in Aveiro close to that of Venice?
Aveiro might not be the first city that comes into mind whenever Portugal is mentioned; however, it is one of the best destinations for anyone looking for a stable place to settle and raise a family. While this is true, part of what makes a particular destination attractive not only to locals but also to expats is the cost of living.
Generally, life on the Silver Coast is not quite as expensive as in other regions. The big question remains; what is the cost of living in Aveiro? Is this destination better than others in Portugal? This post attempts to shed some light on these and more pertinent questions about this beautiful city. Tag along to find out more!
How expensive is Aveiro?
The cost of living on the Silver Coast is generally lower than in other regions, particularly in South and Northern Portugal. Since Aveiro is a city on the Silver Coast, you can almost expect that the cost of living is equally lower. The difference between Aveiro and other popular European cities is day and night.
According to data from Numbeo, you will need about €5,867 in London to have the same lifestyle that €2,500 will give you in Aveiro. What’s more, the consumer prices in London are 78.43% higher in London compared to Aveiro. However, it is also worth mentioning that a cheaper cost of living doesn’t mean a lower quality of life.
Although Aveiro might not be anywhere as popular as other cities like Porto or Lisbon, it has the proper amenities and infrastructure necessary for comfortable living.
What is the cost of living in Aveiro for expats?
Although the cost of living in Aveiro is relatively cheaper than in other cities in Portugal, it is worth mentioning that it all comes down to your spending habit. However, what does daily living in Aveiro look like? Let’s break down some of the most common expenses to give you an idea of how much you would spend.
Cost of rent in Aveiro
Since the cost of living in Aveiro is relatively lower than in other regions, you can also expect the cost of rent per month to be affordable as well. However, just like in any other destination in the world, how much you should expect to pay for rent is relative to factors like the specific neighborhood, the size, and the house’s condition.
Nonetheless, the average cost of rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center is €568, while a three-bedroom house in the same location costs about €895 (via Numbeo). A side note to keep in mind is that the cost of rent isn’t subject to changes depending on the specific season.
Although Aveiro is not the most popular city, it still receives a considerable number of tourists annually. Having said that, during the peak summer month, the cost of rent can go high as well.
Here are some estimates:
| Expense | Cost |
|---|---|
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre | €568 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre | €895 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre | €491 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre | €737 |
Estimates are from Numbeo (as of December 2022).
House bills
Utility bills in Portugal are almost the same with a slight deviation depending on the specific region and also the number of services you need in your household. On average, the cost of a utility in Portugal ranges from €90 to €150. Here is a breakdown of some of the costs of the most common utility bills you should expect in Aveiro.
| Utility | Cost |
|---|---|
| Electricity, Gas, garbage, and Water | €101.90 |
| Mobile internet and phone call package | €32.62 |
| 1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff | €0.12 |
Estimates are from Numbeo (as of December 2022).
Average spending on food
Your individual lifestyle will also determine how much you will spend on food. Although not mentioned often enough, the cost of food in Portugal can quickly add up should you decide to eat out in restaurants.
Fortunately, the Portuguese culture that emphasizes home-cooked meals is less expensive. Here is a cost breakdown of some popular groceries that you might purchase regularly.
| Expense | Cost |
|---|---|
| Milk (regular), 1 litre | €0.75 |
| Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) | €1.10 |
| Rice (white), (1kg) | €1.06 |
| Eggs (1 dozen) | €1.96 |
| Local Cheese (1kg) | €9.00 |
| Apples (1kg) | €1.63 |
| Potato (1kg) | €1.06 |
| Tomato (1kg) | €1.56 |
| Onion (1kg) | €1.05 |
| Lettuce (1 head) | €1.12 |
| Water (1.5-liter bottle) | €0.42 |
| Chicken Fillets (1kg) | €6.98 |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | €3.00 |
Estimates are from Numbeo (as of December 2022).
Expected transport cost in Aveiro
Public transport is the popular way of moving around in Aveiro and the Silver Coast. However, the public transport system in the Silver Coast could be more efficient compared to bigger cities like Lisbon.
The two main modes of public transport in Aveiro include buses and trains. Although regional trains are cheaper, buses are faster and more convenient for moving from point A to B.
- Read Also: Public Transport In Lisbon: All You Need To Know.
Leisure expenses
If you plan a trip to the Venice of Portugal, you’ll be glad to find out that there are plenty of things you can do in this city. The most common leisure activity in Aveiro is to tour the city on boats through the canals. The best time to enjoy a boat ride is in the evening as you watch the beautiful sunset.
Other than that, a walk down the cobblestone streets is also another fun thing to do. Be sure to carry a comfortable pair of shoes with you. Take a look at the following list of other leisure activities you can engage in and also how much you should expect to pay.
| Expense | Cost |
|---|---|
| Gym monthly fee | €31.25 |
| Streaming platform basic price | €8 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend) | €12.50 |
Estimates are from Numbeo (as of December 2022).
What are the cheapest areas in Aveiro?
Although Aveiro is known to be relatively affordable compared to other cities in Portugal, there are other cheaper neighborhoods that you can call home. Agueda is a neighborhood in the large Aveiro city that is relatively cheaper than the others.
The cost of property is one of the indicators of how cheap a destination is. In this regard, the cost of property per square meter in this neighborhood is €870. Another relatively more affordable destination within Aveiro is Vagos. It is a popular destination for arts, culture, and history. The cost of property in this destination per square meter is €1,158.
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- Read Also: Cost Of Living In Portugal Versus The USA.
What are the most expensive areas in Aveiro?
Now that you know the cheapest neighborhoods in Aveiro let’s turn our attention to the affluent areas. When it comes to the most expensive areas in Aveiro Glória, Vera Cruz and Esgueira stand head and shoulders above the competition.
Glória and Vera Cruz is the most populated region in Aveiro and is widely known as a fishing destination. It is not only beautiful but full of culture and plenty of history.
Esgueira, on the other hand, is fairly large, with a huge chunk of the population comprising young individuals. The cost of property in Aveiro Glória and Vera Cruz is €2,650 per square meter, while in Esgueira, a square meter of property is about €2,050.
Is Aveiro more expensive than Lisbon?
To begin, it is worth pointing out that no region is better than the other; it all comes down to individual preference. However, while that is true, there is no denying the fact that Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, has a greater pull than Aveiro.
A lot of perks come with living in the capital of any country, for instance, increased chances of corporate employment, better social life, and amenities. It is also worth noting that all of these perks come at a cost.
Like any other capital city, living in Lisbon is not cheap by any measure, especially when compared to Aveiro. The consumer cost in Lisbon is 20.68% higher than in Aveiro, while rent is a staggering 97.45% higher. This goes to show how expensive life is in Lisbon compared to Aveiro. Putting this data into consideration, it is safe to conclude that Aveiro is ideal for anyone who is on a budget and looking for a quiet city to live in.
Is Aveiro more expensive than Porto?
Porto is the second largest city in Portugal. While it might not be as expensive as Lisbon, how does it compare to Aveiro? You can almost expect that living in Porto is generally more expensive than in Aveiro.
To support this claim, data from Numbeo indicates that the consumer prices in Porto are 14.91% higher than in Aveiro, while the cost of rent is 36.88% higher. To put more context to this, you will need approximately €3,018 in Porto to maintain a lifestyle that you can achieve with €2,500 in Aveiro (via Numbeo).
Living in Porto comes with a whole different experience compared to Aveiro. It is not only bigger but also gives you the access and advantages of living in an established city. It goes without saying that the difference is lower than in Lisbon.
So if you want to move to a bigger city, Porto will be ideal because you won’t have to dig too deep into your pockets to adjust to the new expenses and lifestyle that come with living in a city big enough to be the second-largest in the country.
How much do the Portuguese earn in Aveiro?
Generally, Portugal is known for having among the lowest minimum wages in the country. The average minimum wage for Portugal is €705 per month, which is far below the recommended €1,000. If you are familiar with Economics, this is the reason why expats from other nations can enjoy a relatively cheaper cost of living in this country.
Although the minimum wage is low, Portugal’s quality of life isn’t bad. The Silver Coast region is even cheaper! Among the cities in this region, Aveiro is among those with the lowest average salaries.
The Average net salary for locals after taxes in Aveiro is €809. For the local folk, this average salary is enough to go by and live life comfortably. While this is true, it is also important to mention that highly skilled professionals have the potential to earn more. This is also true for remote workers and digital nomads as well.
Is it worth the cost of living in Aveiro?
There is no one true answer to this question because it all comes down to individual preference and the type of life you want to live as an individual. However, with a foreign population of about 5,829, it is safe to say that many people are finding value in living in the Venice of Portugal.
There is so much to do in Aveiro; this destination is not only beautiful but also provides you with the perks of living in an EU country without having to spend too much just to maintain a decent life. Because this destination is fairly laid back with lower tourism action, it is a great destination for raising a family.
The Silver Coast region is an education hub. There are plenty of good schools and institutions of higher learning that your family can take advantage of. So is it worth living in Aveiro? Well, the ball is now in your court, do some due diligence and make an informed decision on whether or not this city on the Silver Coast is ideal for you or not.
When are you moving to Aveiro?
There you have it, everything you need to know about the city that is best described as the Venice of Portugal. If you are looking for a destination that promises not only a lower cost of living but also a good quality of life, then Aveiro is the place for you.
So whenever you are ready to make the big move, be sure to reach out to our professionals at Viv Europe and let us make your transition to Portugal as smooth as possible. We understand that moving to a different country is a huge task, so finding the right resource to hold your hand along the way is recommended.
We hope this post has answered most of your questions; if not, be sure to join our Facebook Group – All About Portugal For Expats, and get more clarification from others who have been through the journey before. See you soon!
