Last Updated on April 28, 2023 by Laila Oliveira
If you are considering moving to Portugal but are worried about the high cost of living in the big cities, you should know that plenty of other destinations are both cosmopolitan and cheaper. Coimbra, formerly the nation’s capital, is an excellent example of such a location. Today, this beautiful city is an important historical site in Portugal. So, what exactly is the cost of living in Coimbra, especially for an expat?
With a population of just over 144,000 people from diverse backgrounds, Coimbra qualifies as a metropolitan city that is significantly cheaper than Lisbon, Porto, or even the famous Algarve region. So how expensive is living in Coimbra? If you are asking yourself this question, here is a detailed breakdown that will help unpack everything regarding the cost of living in Coimbra. Let’s get right in!
How expensive is Coimbra?
Generally, the cost of living in Portugal is relatively low compared to other European nations, and Coimbra is no different. As far as the local Portuguese standard goes, Coimbra is neither the cheapest nor the most expensive destination. However, if you are searching for a place that is alive, tranquil, and affordable, Coimbra is your best option.
Also, because Coimbra is a university city, the cost of living is often cheaper because you can take advantage of the many affordable accommodation options, thanks to the great student population. As an expat, you will find living in Coimbra cheaper. In fact, Coimbra is among the few destinations in Portugal that provide a relatively more affordable cost of living while at the same time maintaining a reasonably good quality of life.
What is the cost of living in Coimbra for expats?
There is no doubt that this destination is cheap, especially for expats from the world’s big economies. But what exactly is the cost of living like for expats? As an individual, you will need about €546 every month without rent; however, a monthly estimate for a family of four without rent is about €1,892.
Here is a further breakdown concerning some of the most basic indicators of the cost of living in any country, which are rent, house bills, food, and leisure activities.
Cost of rent in Coimbra
As mentioned earlier, Coimbra is a university city; therefore, there are plenty of apartment options that you could opt for. However, while that is true, it is worth mentioning that apartments close to the city center tend to be more expensive than those found further in the country. Also, most of the apartments are optimized for students. So if you have a family, renting further away from the city center, where the apartments are more significant, might be the best option.
On average, data from Idealista shows the cost of a rental apartment is about €8/m². A regular one-bedroom apartment within the city center is about €590, while a three-bedroom option in the same location is about €855. You need to keep in mind that the present condition of the apartment, the size, and the location are often the big determining factors of how expensive your rent will be.
House bills
The beauty of living in Portugal is that house bills are generally the same regardless of where you are in the country. However, how much you will pay per month with regard to utility bills will depend on how many services and conveniences you want in your house. Here is a rundown of some of the most common house bills and an approximation of monthly costs.
| Utility | Bill |
|---|---|
| Electricity, gas, garbage, and water | €101.68 |
| Mobile internet and phone call package | €34.70 |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff | €0.12 |
Estimates are from Numbeo (as of April 2023).
Average spending on food
Like most things, your lifestyle will also influence how much you spend on food every month. Unlike other places, eating out in Portugal is often more expensive, and the money adds up relatively fast if you do it often.
The good news is that adopting the Portuguese culture, which involves preparing your own meals, will save you a reasonable sum. Groceries can cost you around €200 to €300 per month, depending on your shopping list.
Other than saving money on food, preparing your own meals gives you unique control over the type of food you eat and, even more importantly, how the food is prepared. This way, you can lead a healthy lifestyle.
| Expense | Cost |
|---|---|
| Milk (1 liter) | €0.84 |
| Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) | €1.08 |
| Rice (1kg) | €1.14 |
| Eggs (1 dozen) | €2.19 |
| Local Cheese (1kg) | €6.75 |
| Apples (1kg) | €1.57 |
| Potato (1kg) | €0.89 |
| Tomato (1kg) | €1.46 |
| Onion (1 kg) | €1.03 |
| Lettuce (1 head) | €0.81 |
| Water (1.5-liter bottle) | €0.77 |
| Chicken Fillets (1 kg) | €5.33 |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | €3.75 |
Estimates are from Numbeo (as of April 2023).
Expected transport costs in Coimbra
There are several options for moving around Coimbra; however, the two main means of public transportation are buses and the local train network. The city bus network, run by SMTUC (Coimbra Municipality Urban Transport Services), is the cheapest option. The train network is also relatively more affordable and more reliable.
This city has two train stations: Coimbra A, which serves destinations within the city center, and Coimbra B, where you can catch a train to cities outside Coimbra. However, if you wish to tour around the city, you can easily do so on foot as you explore this destination’s history.
Other means of transport available other than public transportation include relatively inexpensive taxis. Take a look at the breakdown of the standard modes of transportation in Oeiras.
| Expense | Cost |
|---|---|
| One-way ticket for local transport | €1.60 |
| Monthly Pass (Regular Price) | €30.00 |
| Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) | €3.42 |
| Taxi (one hour wait and regular tariff) | €15.00 |
| Gasoline (1 liter) | €1.88 |
Leisure expenses
Coimbra has many beautiful places and sites to see, especially if you love history. To begin, the University of Coimbra has a lot of history as one of the first universities in Europe.
Apart from the historical sites, another fun place to visit in this city is Pedro and Inês Bridge, one of Coimbra’s most beautiful sites.
| Expense | Cost |
|---|---|
| Gym monthly fee | €36.87 |
| Streaming platform basic price | €8.00 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend) | €10.42 |
| Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat | €7.00 |
| A three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant | €30.00 |
| Imported Beer (0.33-liter bottle) | €1.90 |
What are the cheapest areas in Coimbra?
If you are looking for an affordable neighborhood within Coimbra to call home, Oliveira do Hospital is an excellent place to focus your search. This neighborhood is quite small, with a population of just over 20,000 residents. Another affordable destination within the greater Coimbra district is Montemor-o-Velho.
The two mentioned destinations are further away from the city center and less popular among expat communities, which explains why they are relatively cheaper than other neighborhoods.
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What are the most expensive areas in Coimbra?
Right off the bat, the most expensive neighborhood in Coimbra is right in the city center. Here, you will get all the access and privileges of living within the city, but you will have to pay more for almost everything. The city center is where all the action is, and there is a large student population thanks to the University of Coimbra.
Another expensive neighborhood in Coimbra is Figueira da Foz; in fact, this is the most expensive location and comes in second right after Coimbra city center. This neighborhood boasts a good transportation network and a calm and tranquil environment fit for individuals looking to raise a family.
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Is the cost of living in Coimbra more expensive than in Porto?
When it comes to the cost of living, Porto is considerably more expensive than Coimbra. To give you some context, you will need about €2,547 in Coimbra to live the same lifestyle that you can have with €3,200 in Porto.
However, it is necessary to mention that the quality of life in Coimbra is not far behind. Each of these two destinations has its unique charm; for instance, Coimbra is known for having peace and calm, which is often difficult to find in large, busy cities like Porto.
On the flip side, living in Porto has plenty of advantages, especially for anyone looking for active employment in the corporate world. While some would refer to Coimbra as a smaller version of Lisbon, this description takes away from its true value: a historic and culturally rich destination.
Is the cost of living in Coimbra more expensive than in Aveiro?
Coimbra and Aveiro are some of the tourists’ favorite cities to explore. If we’re being honest, these two destinations are more similar than different when it comes to the cost of living. To bring context to the previous statement, the difference in consumer prices between these two destinations is only 0.5% without factoring in rent.
On the other hand, the cost of rent is 9.2% cheaper in Coimbra compared to Aveiro. In comparison, you will need about €2,600 in Aveiro to maintain the same standard of living that you would otherwise get for €2,526 in Coimbra (as per Numbeo).
How much do the Portuguese earn in Coimbra?
It is worth pointing out that Portugal is among the 13 nations in Europe whose minimum wage is below the recommended €1,000. Currently, the minimum wage in Portugal stands at €760, which is quite low by European standards. The good news is that wages in Coimbra are better than the country’s average because the employees working in Coimbra earn an average of €867 monthly after taxes.
However, there is a potential for earning significantly more, especially for highly skilled professionals in fields such as technology and innovation. Despite the low salaries, people living here are happy because the cost of living remains low too.
Is it worth the cost of living in Coimbra?
Absolutely. The low cost of living in Coimbra will allow you to live a more comfortable life than you are accustomed to. For expats from nations with big economies, their monthly income will stretch further, allowing them to afford luxuries that they would otherwise not have.
Other than that, if you love history, then Coimbra will be your ideal destination. There is so much to learn about ancient Roman history at the many historical sites available in the city. There are so many good things to say about Coimbra; however, the only way to tell whether this city is ideal for you or not is to schedule a scouting trip.
When are you moving to Coimbra?
There you have it, a detailed breakdown of the cost of living in Coimbra. We hope this breakdown has shed some light on the cost of living in Coimbra. It is no coincidence that about 5.7% of the population comprises foreign nationals. This destination must be of value to expats from across the globe.
So, when are you making your move to this destination? Whenever you are ready, be sure to reach out to our experts at Viv Europe to help you deal with the bureaucracies and tie-downs in the immigration process. For further questions or concerns, join our Facebook Group – All About Portugal For Expats. The active community will be more than willing to help you out!
