Cost of living in Porto, Portugal: check below the costs related to daily expenses, real estate, entertainment and transport in the second largest city in Portugal
Are you planning to relocate or travel to Porto, Portugal? Below you can check the data for the cost of living in Porto, one of the most beautiful cities in the Iberian Peninsula.
Cost of Living in Porto, Portugal
While Porto is not the capital of Portugal, it is one of the most visited cities in the countries. Famous for its wines and delicious seafood, Porto is also a liveable city with a relatively affordable cost of living.
Just like Lisbon, Porto is experienced a renewed interest among expats and tourists. The quality of life, pleasant climate and affordable cost of living for European standards are playing a major role in the current attractiveness of Portugal globally.
As this rise has been already steady for some years, prices in Porto, especially when it comes to accommodation and real estate are also surging. While Porto remains more affordable than Lisbon, it is considerably more expensive than it used to be 5 or 10 years ago.
Porto also offers excellent transport connections. The Porto Airport is the second busiest in the country after Lisbon, and has direct flights to many European countries, as well as destinations in North and South America. It is also a major hub for Portuguese railway and bus transport.
Let’s check some data for the cost of living in Porto, Portugal below:
The currency in Portugal is the euro. The conversion rate to the EUR is 1 dollar to 0.94 EUR as of April 25, 2024.
If you want to suggest your own values based on your experiences in this city, click on edit and insert the values. Upon moderation they will be calculated to make part of the average prices displayed below.
| Food | Price [EDIT] |
|---|---|
| 1 liter of milk | 0.90 USD |
| 1 loaf of bread | 1.20 USD |
| 1 kg of tomatoes | 2.00 USD |
| 1 kg of chicken | 6.50 USD |
| 1 single meal cheap restaurant | 9.50 USD |
| 1 single meal high-end restaurant | 30.00 USD |
| 1 cappuccino or latte | 1.90 USD |
| 1 big pizza delivery | 17.00 USD |
| Real Estate | Price [EDIT] |
| 1 bedroom flat (40 m2) rent per month | 700.00 USD |
| 1 bedroom flat (40 m2) utilities per month | 90.00 USD |
| 2 bedroom flat (80 m2) rent per month | 950.00 USD |
| 2 bedroom flat (80 m2) utilities per month | 150.00 USD |
| Price per square meter (city center) | 3,250.00 USD |
| Transport | Price [EDIT] |
| 1 single ride public transport | 1.95 USD |
| Monthly public transport ticket | 39.00 USD |
| 1 km taxi or similar transport app | 0.70 USD |
| 1 liter of gasoline (1/4 gallon) | 2.00 USD |
| Toyota Corolla (new) basic version | 26,580.00 USD |
| Salaries | Price [EDIT] |
| Minimum Salary | 770.00 USD |
| Average Salary (net) | 950.00 USD |
| Extras | Price [EDIT] |
| 1 ticket to the movies (adult price) | 8.00 USD |
| High speed internet per month | 37.00 USD |
| 1 month gym subscription | 35.00 USD |
Cost of Living for Students in Porto, Portugal
Portugal is a great destination for higher education students. It offers a wide range of graduate and masters degree in both public and private institutions. While many of them choose the capital Lisbon, Porto also offers a wide range of higher education degrees in both public and private institutions. While most degrees are taught in Portuguese, there is a growing trend of diplomas taught in English, especially Masters and PhDs.
The cost of living for students in Portugal is relatively affordable. Just like Lisbon, the highest cost in Porto is the accommodation. However, prices in Porto are considerably cheaper than Lisbon, making it more attractive in financial terms for students.
Here are some of the main higher education institutions in Porto:
Universidade Lusófona do Porto
Getting a Job in Porto
Currently the Portuguese job market is pretty dynamic, and the unemployment rate is below countries like Italy, France or Spain. Porto is the second city in Portugal in terms of career prospects, just after Lisbon. The city is also a center for outsourcing, as salaries are lower in Portugal than in most Western European countries.
Despite wages being rather low in Portugal (both average and minimum), there are a high number of employment opportunities in Portugal. There is a high demand for speakers of multiple languages, and you can also find something even if you do not have a good command of Portuguese. Porto is also a great place to look for a job or start a business in the tourism sector
Here are some websites for job hunting in Porto:
Quality of Life in Porto
Porto has a pretty high quality of life. Among its highlights, the high level of safety, low pollution and pleasant climate year round make of Porto a highly desirable city for expats.
When comparable to Lisbon, Porto has a great advantage of being more affordable. That is especially the case when considering accommodation costs. While salaries are just slightly higher in Lisbon than in Porto, real estate is considerably more expensive than in the capital.
You will not have problems(at least as a tourist) if you come to Porto and you don’t speak English. Most locals have at least a basic command of English. If you want to invest or find a job in Porto, learning Portuguese will be a determinant factor of your pursuit in Portugal.
If you are visiting Porto soon you may also want to check some of our other Portugal guides. Check the where to stay in Lisbon and our article on the best places to stay in Porto. You can also check the our article on the average and minimum salary in Lisbon and the cost of living in Lisbon.
Other Resources for Expats and Travelers
Salaries Worldwide: check our articles on wages worldwide and understand better the economics of the countries you may be considering to move or invest.
Retire Abroad: check our retirement guides and maximize your retirement income and quality of life.
Jetradar: compare and find the cheapest air fares worldwide.