Last Updated on October 10, 2025 by Maryam Siddiqui
Choosing between Portugal’s metropolis can be a tough call. We’ve been there, done that, and while it’s difficult, the process is immensely gratifying, to say the least. What begins as a tough choice often turns into unforgettable experiences. Whether you go for Lisbon or Porto, one thing is certain—you’ll fall in love with Portugal.
By the time you finish this article, you’ll have a clearer picture of how each city aligns with your lifestyle. Relocating to a new place is never a small decision—it can shape your career opportunities, cost of living, and overall way of life.
We’ve kept everything in mind. Take a look at our guide for what kind of people live in each and whether that fits your preferences. Happy reading!
What it’s like living in Lisbon
The capital of Portugal is a vivacious city! There are cafes full of laughter, streets buzzing with business dealings, and stunning beaches where you can unwind.
The city is a major tech hub, offering plenty of coworking spaces throughout. Its well-connected public transport system makes getting around simple, perfect if your job requires commuting. Even if it doesn’t, it’s still a plus, since many Lisboetas choose not to own or drive a car.
You’ll also find many digital nomads sitting in a corner at a cafe, sipping some delicious Portuguese coffee.
There’s a rise in digital nomadism, and people in Lisbon are excited to make connections and work on unexplored opportunities. The New Visa For Freelancers And Digital Nomads has made the process even easier!
- Read Living In Lisbon and get a feel of an expat’s point of view of the capital of Portugal!
What type of people are moving to Lisbon?
Perhaps one of the first questions you might ask is, “What’s the population of each city?”. It’s an excellent question! According to statistics, Lisbon has 517,802 residents, while Porto has almost half of that, with 249,633 residents.
An explanation for this population difference is that one city is almost double the size of the other. Lisbon is approximately 100 km² in area, and Porto is nearly 41.42 km².
Coming onto the type of people living in each of Portugal’s municipalities. Lisbon hosts many leading tech companies and start-ups, which naturally draws in business owners and entrepreneurs. In fact, about 21% of Lisbon’s population consists of expats like you.
People here have the highest purchasing power and educational qualifications in the country. If you’re someone who prefers a developed city with business opportunities left, right, and center, Lisbon is for you.
- Read Also: Public Transport In Lisbon: All You Need To Know.
What it’s like living in Porto
Many expats describe Porto as a work of art, thanks to the picturesque River Douro and beautiful architecture. It feels like a small town, rich in culture and history, yet home to diverse communities from all over the world.
However, if you ask the locals, they’ll likely say that northern Portuguese are the country’s true hard workers, thanks to their many businesses. While Porto is indeed known for its strong economy and industry, it also boasts a thriving arts and culture scene.
Porto is a great place to spend your nights having fun. There are concerts, malls, hip bars, and wonderful restaurants to keep you busy. Oh, and let’s not forget the world-famous Port wine!
People in this city enjoy a calmer lifestyle in comparison to Lisbon. It’s not as business-centric as Lisbon but still has some of the best workplaces.
- Read Also: Living In Porto: See What It’s Like To Live In The North Of Portugal. Discover what attracts people from all over the world!
What type of people are moving to Porto?
Porto is similar to Lisbon in many ways, but has its own essence and heritage. Home to many international communities, Pordata shows that 7.9% of the residents are foreigners. A big chunk of these Residence Permit holders were tourists who fell in love with views of the Douro River.
Much like the capital, Porto stands as Portugal’s second-largest industrial and economic hub. Residents get to enjoy all the benefits of a developed city, but with a noticeably lower cost of living compared to Lisbon. In fact, with global inflation driving prices up, many people question whether Lisbon is still cheap.
The difference between Lisbon and Porto is the lower intensity of bustling in the latter. The type of people to enjoy Porto more have been those that value art, and a digital nomad lifestyle.
With that being said, people are equally welcoming and warm whether you live in Lisbon or Porto!
- Read Also: Public Transport In Porto: All You Need To Know.
Culture and things to do in each Portuguese city
Contrary to what you might think, it’s not all work and no entertainment – even in the business hub! Portugal is full of tourists, especially in the summer, and with good reason.
There’s much to explore, whether you like culture and history, art and music, connecting with nature, or shopping around town.
You can drive thirty minutes south of Lisbon to Costa da Caparica and enjoy Portuguese beaches to cool off. Or, if you’re in Porto looking for some classical music with delectable food, be sure to visit Café Guarany.
If you’re settling in, though, it’s worth skipping the obvious tourist traps and getting a feel for daily life. In Lisbon, spend a lazy Saturday morning wandering through the Feira da Ladra flea market or join locals at a tiny tasca in Alfama for live fado music over dinner.
If you’re into the outdoors, hop on a bike and explore the riverside paths along the Tagus or go hiking in the Sintra mountains just a quick train ride away.
In Porto, you could take a stroll through the quieter neighborhoods like Foz do Douro or Bonfim, where you’ll find quirky cafés and indie art galleries tucked away from the crowds.
Try joining a local ceramics or tile-painting workshop, or spend a slow afternoon sampling vinho verde at a small wine bar rather than hitting the big-name cellars. For something truly local, check out a football match at Estádio do Dragão, the atmosphere is electric and a great way to meet locals.
The cost of living in Lisbon and Porto
You might’ve heard about Lisbon and Porto’s expensive cost of living. But did you know it’s drastically lower than many European and North American countries? Yes, that’s true!
TLisbon and Porto are the two most expensive cities in Portugal, but one is still easier on the wallet. Overall consumer prices in Porto, including rent, are about 14.7% lower than in Lisbon, with rent alone being 23.4% lower. While the difference in purchasing power isn’t huge, living in Porto can definitely help you stretch your savings a little further.
However, it’s important to understand that Lisbon also offers a lot of conveniences, like having an airport in the city. So, there are perks to both areas, of course, with an added financial cost.
Here’s a comparative table of expenses you’re most likely to incur in Lisbon or Porto:
| Expense | Cost in Lisbon | Cost in Porto |
|---|---|---|
| Apartment rent (1 bedroom) in City Center | €1,416 | €1,036 |
| Apartment rent (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre | €1,078 | €800 |
| Apartment rent (3 bedrooms) in City Center | €2,582 | €1,952 |
| Apartment rent (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre | €1,751 | €1,440 |
| Groceries | €290 | €240 |
| Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) | €125 | €118 |
| Internet | €34 | €34 |
| Monthly Transport Pass | €40 | €40 |
| Gasoline (1 liter) | €6.70 | €6.59 |
Estimates are from Numbeo (as of September 2025).
Want to get a job? Explore the labor market in Lisbon and Porto
Landing a job in Portugal’s top two business centers isn’t too much to ask for. There are many opportunities to explore, especially in the IT, Pharmaceuticals, Tourism, Digital Marketing, and Construction sectors.
Some of the best multinationals are also located here, such as:
- Farfetch;
- Capgemini Engineering;
- Microsoft;
- L’Oréal;
- Deloitte;
Average salaries come in at about €1,133 in Porto and €1,219 in Lisbon. If you’d like to dive deeper into the job market, be sure to check out our full guide on Finding A Job In Portugal.
Let’s Move to Europe
With Viv Europe your plans for Europe will come to a reality
Real estate prices in Lisbon and Porto
Whether it’s Lisbon or Porto, real estate is almost always in high demand. They sell like hotcakes, so you’ll have to be very vigilant to find a suitable place for your needs.
On top of that, the bureaucracy can get a little confusing. If you require any professional assistance with finding your new home, Viv Europe provides infallible Property Acquisition services.
The usual size of a one-bedroom apartment is around 60 m², which is suitable for two people. Below are the average prices for real estate options in both cities:
| Real Estate Option | Price in Lisbon | Price in Porto |
|---|---|---|
| Most expensive Municipality per m² | €5,866 | €3,811 |
| Most expensive Municipality per 60 m² | €351,960 | €228,660 |
| Cheapest Municipality per m² | €1,461 | €917 |
| Cheapest Municipality per 60 m² | €87,660 | €50,020 |
Property prices are taken from the Portuguese real estate website, Idealista (as of September 2025).
The weather in Lisbon and Porto
Portugal is known for its pleasant weather all year round. With 300 days of beautiful golden sunshine and moderate temperatures during winter, expats and locals love living here.
However, weather conditions like heavy precipitation can be a deal-breaker for some. So we’ve summarized a table with all you need to know about the weather in both cities:
| Weather | Lisbon | Porto |
|---|---|---|
| Average temperature | 16.7 °C (62.1 °F) | 15.1 °C (59.2 °F) |
| Maximum temperature | 27 °C (80.6 °F) | 26 °C (78.8 °F) |
| Minimum temperature | 9 °C (48.2 °F) | 6 °C (42.8 °F) |
| Average Rainfall | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Average Humidity | 74% | 76% |
The data was taken from the Climate Data website.
Should I move to Lisbon or Porto? Here’s how to decide
Speaking from experience, let’s break it down into three basic steps that helped us:
Step 1: Decide what it is you are looking for
We know you can never leave your love for your home country behind. But Portugal has a piece of your heart, doesn’t it? Indeed there’s something valuable you’re chasing after.
What is it that will add value to your current life? A secure family-friendly neighborhood? Or a compact city with rich culture and traditions? Maybe a bigger cosmopolitan with like-minded entrepreneurs?
Knowing what you want and what you want to stay away from allows you to make better-informed decisions. There’s something for everyone in Portugal, but you’ll need to know what you’re looking for.
- Read our articles Best Neighborhoods In Lisbon and Best Neighborhoods Of Porto to gain perspective and compare for yourself!
Step 2: Go on a scouting trip to Lisbon and Porto
If you haven’t yet had the chance to explore the beauty of Portugal’s serene atmosphere, now is your chance!
No one else can choose the perfect city for you other than yourself. After you’ve identified what you’re looking for, narrow down the options that fit your criteria list. For example, if you’re on a tight budget, living in Cascais would be out of the question, right?
Similarly, there are so many neighborhoods to explore within Lisbon and Porto itself. There’s Boavista, great for families; Massarelos, perfect for university students; and Bonfim, the coolest neighborhood in Porto.
In Lisbon, there’s the uber-modern Parque das Nações; Estrela, the calming and family-friendly neighborhood; or Saldanha, the central business district. So, you see, it’s a good decision to go on a scouting trip and experience each area yourself.
Step 3: Compare how your routine fits in each city
Before making your final decision, take a moment to compare how each city aligns with your daily routine. Creating a simple pros-and-cons list can be surprisingly helpful. You might also want to pay attention to the people living there and consider whether you’d fit in.
Luckily, Portuguese people are warm and welcoming, so don’t hesitate to strike up a conversation, those chats can give you some great insights.
And don’t worry, even if you don’t speak Portuguese, many of them speak English as well. Keep reading till the end to know how you can connect to expats if you don’t know anyone in Portugal.
Here’s an example: If you’re someone who values living near nature and parks, Ribeira in Porto might not suit you. Even though Ribeira is an excellent place to live and attracts many expats who love movement. Comparing your routine to fit each city will help you narrow down your list further.
If you’re short on time, it’d be worth your while to check out our well-researched articles evaluating the Pros And Cons Of Moving To Lisbon and the Pros And Cons Of Moving To Porto.
It’s time to choose your favorite Portuguese city
Which one is it going to be – Lisbon or Porto? It’s now up to you to decide! By now, you should have some clarity pertaining to the differences between Portugal’s metropolis. They’re marvelous options, but the final decision depends on your preferences.
And remember, our team of professionals at Viv Europe are always here to help you out. Book a free consultation now and kickstart your relocation journey with ease and expert guidance.
In case you want to connect with people who’ve shared the same experience as you, we have something to help. Our Facebook Group – All About Portugal For Expats has a community of 15,000+ people ready to share their experiences. Read their stories, ask as many questions as possible, and share your thoughts!
