Cost of Living in Porto: The Complete Guide for 2025

Portugal’s second-largest city, Porto, is nestled along the banks of the Douro River in northern Portugal. Considered to be one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, it is famous for its Port wine, rich history, and high quality of life, where the Porto cost of living for a single person stands at an average of €700 excluding rent.

The affordable cost of living in Portugal compared to other countries in Europe, and the attractive quality of life in Porto, have made the city an attractive destination and increasingly popular with many expats and digital nomads from all around the world.

Understanding the average monthly cost of living in Porto is essential for anyone considering making this city their new home before making the move. Depending on your average monthly salary and your specific circumstances, you can enjoy a comfortable life in Porto without breaking the bank and even manage to save money.

In this article, we’ll explore everything about the average cost of living in Porto, Portugal, from the average apartment rental price to how much you should budget for utilities, public transportation, and other living expenses. This guide will cover:

• Rental and property prices in Porto
• The cost of food and Portuguese cuisine
• The cost of public transport
• The cost of education
• Healthcare costs in Porto
• And Portugal visa options to move to Porto

Is Porto expensive?

Living in Porto is generally more affordable than in many other European cities, though costs depend on lifestyle and can change depending on inflation and government policies related to taxes and spending. Average monthly expenses for a single person are around €700 to €1,000 without rent, while the average price for rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the Porto city center is between €1,000 and €1,200.

Cost of living Porto vs Lisbon

As the capital city of Portugal, Lisbon has a higher cost of living than Porto. The average monthly cost of rent is a major contributing factor, and typical prices for public transportation, enjoying a three-course meal at a mid-range restaurant, and other leisure activities are generally more expensive than they are in Porto.

Assuming you rent in both cities, you would need around €3,950 for monthly expenses in Porto to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with €4,700 in Lisbon. The monthly cost of living in Porto, Portugal, in US dollars would convert to around $4,534 per month. In the table below, we will share a quick overview of the cost of living in Porto for a single person versus the average costs in Lisbon.

In the sections below, we’ll break down all of the costs of living in Porto, including housing, food, transportation, and entertainment.

Rental and Property Prices in Porto

Deciding between buying and renting a house can be challenging. Buying property in Porto Portugal is a significant investment, considering the city’s popularity as a tourist destination and the rising rental prices, buying might prove to be a more lucrative long-term investment.

Monthly rental prices in Porto

According to data from Numbeo, the average monthly rental price in Porto is 27 percent cheaper than an apartment in Lisbon, while the overall cost of living, including rent, is 16 percent lower in Porto than in Lisbon.

Here’s a breakdown of the average monthly price for rent in Porto:

• A one-bedroom apartment in the city center – €1,021
• A three-bedroom apartment in the city center – €1,917
• A one-bedroom apartment outside the city center – €805
• A three-bedroom apartment outside the city center – €1,334

Rent prices in Porto vary depending on the neighborhood you choose, the size of the apartment, its age, and other factors. Some apartments include utilities, while others require an extra payment.

Property prices in Porto

Property prices in Porto, as with all cities, will depend greatly on whether you live in the center of the city, or in the suburbs. In general, the closer you live to the city center, the more expensive it will be. However, some neighborhoods in the city will evidently be more desirable and, therefore, more expensive than others.

In the city of Porto, the average asking price for an apartment was €3,938 per square meter, and for the entire metropolitan area of Porto, was €2,909 per square meter. It is important to note that these are the average asking prices. The transaction price can be either higher or lower than this. Also, Porto has many different neighborhoods, up-and-coming districts, traditional housing, and properties with sea views. Each will have its own unique characteristics, advantages, and price bracket.

Food Prices in Porto

Food prices are usually a good indication of the price of a city, and if you are looking into the cost of living in Porto, you’ll be pretty pleased by the affordability and quality of the produce. With fresh fruits and vegetables, local fish, and good-quality meat, you will be able to eat well. Here, we’ll give you an indication of the prices of some daily essentials in Porto.

Eating Out in Porto

The north of Portugal, including Porto, has some of the best gastronomy in the country. Many family-owned restaurants serve delicacies and very affordable meals. Porto is also home to many luxury and Michelin-starred restaurants if you are celebrating a special occasion.

According to Numbeo, an inexpensive meal in a restaurant costs €10. Porto is gradually becoming more international has also given the city a wide choice of cuisines. As for the best francesinha dish in Porto, the Brasão Aliados restaurant scores 4.6 out of 5 on Google with almost 14,000 reviews. Another great option is Café Santiago, which scored 4.4 on Google and had almost 15,000 reviews.

Utility Costs in Porto

It is important to understand the average cost of utilities per month, as this can significantly impact the cost of living in Porto. To give you an indication, basic utilities (electricity, heating, cooling, water, and garbage) for an 85m2 apartment will cost around €121 per month. When it comes to mobile and internet costs in Porto, a mobile monthly plan with 10GB of data will cost you €19, and internet (60 Mbps or more) will cost you approximately €38.

Note that with utilities, this will depend greatly on your usage. One good thing about living in Portugal is that the climate is usually very good, and you will not need to spend much of the year on heating. However, the winters can be cold inside, particularly in Porto and the North of the country, so be prepared in advance. You will also need to consider bank and money transfer costs in Porto, Portugal, which will vary depending on the service and provider. However, generally, traditional banks have higher fees than online platforms or mobile apps. For international transfers, fees could be less than €15 for amounts under €50,000, but larger transfers may incur fees of €30 or more.

Transportation Costs in Porto

Porto and Lisbon are the only two cities in Portugal with a Metro system. In Porto, it is pretty easy to get around, with public transport like the metro, buses, and trams all easily available. As with Lisbon, the metro service is very efficient and affordable, so this is a very good option for city dwellers.

A one-way ticket on local transport will cost €1.80, and a monthly pass will cost €40. If you drive in Porto, gasoline will cost €1.73. When budgeting, it’s good to know that the cost of living in Porto, with regard to getting around the city, will not break the bank.

Taxis are also usually more affordable than in other Western European cities. However,  for even cheaper fares, you can get around easily with Uber.

School Costs in Porto

If you are planning to move to Porto with children, you’ll be pleased to know that there are several options. There are public schools, private schools, and international schools.

Public education

Public education is free for all Portuguese citizens and legal residents. However, if you choose private education, you will obviously have to pay a fee. In Portugal, this usually falls between €800 and €1,500 per month for primary through high school. Extra costs that you will need to factor in are book fees, enrollment fees, and, if the school requires a uniform, you will need to pay for this as well.

International schools

International schools will cost you around €1,500, and there is a wide range of very good quality international schools in and around Porto. The cost of schooling in an international establishment will vary from school to school and, as with public schools, there will be extra costs such as enrollment fees, books, and so on.

Universities

Many international students flock to Lisbon, Porto, and Coimbra, among other universities in the country, to study. The country’s universities are very good and internationally recognized for their excellence and long traditions.

With universities, you also have public and private ones. Public universities have a fee limit that can change annually, but that, recently, has been a maximum fee of €900. For private universities, they will cost an average of €3,000 per year.

Healthcare Costs in Porto

Portugal healthcare is almost completely free for Portuguese residents and citizens, with the exception of some procedures, such as visiting the emergency room or taking a diagnostic exam.

For private healthcare, you will be required to pay an average of €40 to €50 for a doctor’s appointment in a private healthcare facility, while yearly fees can cost €400. Comprehensive private health insurance cover will cost you around €1,000.

How to Move to Porto: Portugal Visa Options

Portugal Golden Visa

The Portugal Golden Visa, launched in 2012, is one of the most popular residency-by-investment schemes of its kind in the world. If you are looking to move to Portugal then this could be a good option for you, with starting investments from €250K.

In brief, here are the investment options available for the Portugal Golden Visa:

• Fund Subscription: Make a contribution to a qualified investment fund worth at least €500,000
• Investment or donation in the arts or reconstruction of national heritage with a donation of at least €250,000
• Scientific Research: Science or Technology research contribution of at least €500,000
• Creation of ten jobs: Creation and maintenance of ten jobs during the required period
• Share capital and job creation: Incorporation of a company or reinforcement of a company’s share capital, in either case with an investment of €500,000, combined with the creation of five or maintaining ten jobs (5 of them permanent)

Portugal D7 Visa

The Portugal D7 Visa was introduced by the Portuguese government in 2007. It allows non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens with a regular passive income to apply for residency in Portugal. This income can be from pensions, transferable equity, real estate, intellectual property, or financial investment.

Also known as the Retirement Visa or Passive Income Visa, the D7 allows holders to apply for Portuguese citizenship after five years of legal residency in Portugal, provided the requirements are met.

To be eligible for the Portugal D7 Visa and start your journey toward obtaining Portuguese residency, the main applicant must be a non-EU national and show that they have enough funds in a Portuguese bank account to support themselves during their stay. The minimum required amount to be eligible for the Portugal D7 Visa is €870.

Portugal D8 Visa or Digital Nomad Visa

The Portugal Digital Nomad Visa is for remote workers, freelancers, and entrepreneurs who want to live in Portugal while working for clients or companies located outside the country. To qualify, applicants must show that they have a job or business that can be done from anywhere and meet specific income requirements to ensure they can support themselves during their stay. The income threshold usually requires proof of earnings that are at least four times the minimum wage in Portugal, which is at least €3,480, but this amount can vary.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Cost of Living in Porto

How much money do you need to live comfortably in Porto?

The cost of living in Porto is quite affordable. A family of four can live in Porto for approximately €2,460 without rent. A single person’s estimated monthly cost is €700 without rent. The cost of living in Porto for a couple will be something in between.

Is it expensive to live in Porto?

When looking at living in Porto, Portugal, pros and cons, one of the advantages of living in Porto is the cost of living and high quality of life. Porto is a relatively cheap city to live in when compared with other Western European cities.

Is Porto a good place to live?

Porto is a very good place to live for expats. It is more affordable than Lisbon, has a very good food and drink scene, welcoming locals, and excellent natural beauty surrounding it, from beaches to national parks.

Excellent education facilities and high-standard healthcare are also available for families in Portugal. If you are contemplating moving to Portugal, Porto should definitely be on your radar.

Is renting in Portugal expensive for expats?

Renting in Portugal is typically more affordable for expats than in most Western European countries, especially in smaller towns and rural areas. Although major cities like Lisbon and Porto have higher rental prices in sought-after neighborhoods, budget-friendly options can still be found.

What is the monthly cost of living in Porto for international students?

The cost of living in Porto for international students is quite affordable. A single person’s estimated monthly cost is €700 without rent. Renting a furnished private room may be cheaper than renting a small apartment on your own. Be sure to also budget for other living expenses as well as your monthly fee for tuition, which is set at a maximum fee of €900 at public universities and an average of €3,000 per year at private universities.