Tunis vs. Lisbon: Detailed 2026 Comparison

Tunis presents a significantly lower cost of living compared to Lisbon, with a Cost of Living Index of 46.00 versus 53.67. This disparity is most evident in housing, where property prices in Tunis reach $5,316/m², substantially lower than Lisbon's $33,286/m², and average monthly rents for a 1-bedroom central apartment are $1,038 in Tunis versus $2,948 in Lisbon. While Lisbon shows higher costs across groceries, transportation, and dining out, the absolute financial burden is considerably less in Tunis.

The salary differential between the two cities mirrors the cost gap. Average net salaries in Tunis are $712/month, less than half the $1,582/month found in Lisbon. This substantial income difference helps explain the higher cost of living in Lisbon but also means that, despite the lower absolute costs in Tunis, the purchasing power is considerably higher in Lisbon ($71.55 versus $34.01).

While Tunis offers vastly more affordable property options, Lisbon's economy demonstrates vastly superior output, with a GDP per capita of $41,800 compared to Tunisia's $11,000. This economic disparity underpins the significantly higher quality of life metrics observed in Lisbon, including its superior healthcare system (72.38 versus 65.49) and overall lower pollution levels.

Lisbon's higher Quality of Life Index (157.08) is driven by its strengths in healthcare, safety, environmental factors, and climate comfort. Although Tunis has a slightly shorter average commute (40.5 minutes), Lisbon's higher safety ratings and lower pollution index suggest a more secure and pleasant urban environment overall.

In summary, Lisbon offers superior quality of life, healthcare, and purchasing power, albeit at a substantially higher cost of living, particularly for housing. Tunis provides significantly lower costs but lags considerably in economic output, healthcare quality, and overall quality of life metrics.