Cost of Living in Portugal vs USA

Depending on your personal needs and preferences, living in Portugal or the United States can be a wonderful experience. Although the standard of living is high in both countries, there are significant differences in the cost of living.

Portugal is significantly more affordable than the United States. The cost of living in Portugal is estimated to be 40–50% less than in the United States.

Let’s compare the average cost of living in Portugal and the United States in terms of housing, salaries, utilities, services, and other factors.

Portugal vs USA: Housing

In terms of housing, Portugal is generally more affordable than the United States. For example, a one-bedroom apartment in Portugal costs around €500 to €600 per month, while the same type of apartment would cost about $1,000 to $1,500 per month in the United States.

The median house sale price in Portugal is also much lower than in the United States. In Portugal, the median price for a house is around €200,000, while in the United States, it is about $300,000.

Overall, the cost of housing in Portugal is much more affordable than in the United States. This makes Portugal an attractive destination for people looking for an affordable place to live.

However, the cost of living in Portugal is still higher than in many other European countries, so it is essential to consider other expenses like food, transportation, and entertainment.

Tip: Interested in buying a property in Portugal? We have created a dedicated page where we list the best companies that work with US residents to help them send large sums of money between the two countries.

Portugal vs USA: Salaries

When it comes to salaries, the United States is generally more generous than Portugal. In Portugal, the average salary is around €2,000 per month, whereas the average salary is around $4,000 per month in the USA.

Here is a list of ten different types of jobs and their respective salaries in both countries:

Accountant: Portugal – €1,500+ per month; USA – $5,000+ per month
Doctor: Portugal – €3,500+ per month; USA – $11,000+ per month
Nurse: Portugal – €2,000+ per month; USA – $7,000+ per month
Teacher: Portugal – €1,200+ per month; USA – $3,000+ per month
Engineer: Portugal – €2,500+ per month; USA – $9,000+ per month
Chef: Portugal – €1,0001+ per month; USA – $2,200+ per month
Banker: Portugal – €1,300+ per month; USA – $3,600+ per month
Lawyer: Portugal – €1,200+ per month; USA – $3,800+ per month
IT Analyst: Portugal – €1,500+ per month; USA – $5,600+ per month
Construction Worker: Portugal – €900 per month; USA – $2,100 per month

Everyday Goods and Services

In terms of everyday goods and services, Portugal is generally more affordable than the United States.

Food Items

Portugal: A loaf of bread can cost around €1.14, while a gallon of milk costs around €0.75. A dozen eggs cost around €2.15.

United States: A loaf of bread can cost around $2.50, while a gallon of milk costs about $3.21. A dozen eggs cost around $3.31.

Dining Out

Portugal: A meal at an inexpensive restaurant will cost around €7-10, while a three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant can cost around €30-45.

United States: A meal at an inexpensive restaurant will cost around $17, while a three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant can cost around $65.

Utilities

Portugal: A basic utility package for an apartment can cost around €110 per month, while a high-end package can cost around €150 per month.

United States: A basic utility package for an apartment can cost around $170 per month, while a high-end package can cost about $250-300 per month.

Transportation

Portugal: A monthly public transportation pass can cost around €30–40, while a taxi ride can cost around €3-15.

United States: A monthly public transportation pass can cost around $70-90, while a taxi ride can cost about $3-30.

Overall, the cost of living in Portugal is lower than in the USA, with food items, dining out, utilities, and transportation all being less expensive on average. However, the actual cost will vary depending on the specific city and region, as well as individual preferences.

School System and Costs

The school systems and costs of education in Portugal and the USA vary in some ways but also share similarities.

In Portugal, education is compulsory for children aged 6 to 15, and it is free in public schools. Private schools are also available, but they can be more expensive.

The Portuguese education system is divided into three stages—basic education, secondary education, and higher education. The government provides free basic and secondary education, while public and private institutions charge tuition fees for higher education.

In the USA, education is compulsory for children between the ages of 5 and 18 and is also free of charge in public schools. Private schools are also available and can be more expensive than public schools.

The American education system is divided into three levels—primary and secondary education (kindergarten through 12th grade) and higher education (colleges and universities). The government provides free primary and secondary education, while public and private institutions may charge tuition fees for higher education.

Overall, both Portugal and the USA have education systems that are free of charge at the primary and secondary levels, but higher education may require the payment of tuition fees. The exact cost of education will depend on the type of school and institution, location, and individual circumstances.

The average annual tuition fee for a public university in Portugal is around €500, while in the United States, it is around $10,000. The average annual tuition for a private university in Portugal is around €1,000, while in the United States, it is around $30,000.

Portugal vs USA: Quality of Life Index

The quality of life index is a measure of the overall well-being of a country’s citizens. It considers various factors, including life expectancy, education, income, safety, and other living conditions.

Both countries show impressive results when comparing the quality of life index between Portugal and the United States. According to the World Population Review, Portugal ranks 20th out of 87 countries, while the United States ranks 15th. This is an impressive result for both countries.

However, it is important to note that the quality of life index is just an average. The actual quality of life may vary depending on the specific region and individual circumstances. For example, some cities in Portugal may offer a higher quality of life than others, and the same is true for the USA. Factors such as income, education, and access to healthcare can also affect an individual’s quality of life, even within the same country.

Other Considerations

You should be aware of the differences between Portugal and the United States, aside from their costs of living, salaries, and quality of life indices, if you’re considering moving to one of these countries.

Also consider the GDP, the human freedom index, life expectancy, the corruption perceptions index, the percentage of the population that speaks English, the higher education index, and the population.

The GDP per capita in Portugal is $22195, while in the United States, it is $63207.

The human freedom index in Portugal is 8.69, while in the United States, it is 8.73. The life expectancy in Portugal is 81, while in the United States, it is 77.3.

The corruption perceptions index in Portugal is 62, while in the United States, it is 67. The percentage of the population that speaks English in Portugal is 27.3, while in the United States, it is 95.5.

The higher education index in Portugal is 86, while in the United States, it is 100. The quality of life index in Portugal is 66, while in the United States, it is 75.

The population of Portugal is 10.3 million, while the population of the United States is 331 million.

As you can see, there are many differences between living in Portugal and the United States. There are various factors to consider when deciding where to relocate, including the cost of living and the human freedom index.

Conclusion

To sum up, living in Portugal is considerably less expensive than in the United States in terms of housing and everyday goods and services. Both nations offer a satisfactory quality of life index and standard of living. Ultimately, when deciding where to relocate, it comes down to personal preference and what you value most.

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