Bilbao vs Lisbon: Cost, Visas & Safety
Living in Bilbao vs Lisbon: Bilbao runs about $1,605/mo all-in vs $1,650/mo in Lisbon — Bilbao is cheaper. See visas, safety, internet, and climate side…
Bilbao and Lisbon cost about the same to live in, both feel similarly safe, and Bilbao has the better-rated internet. Which one wins depends on your income, passport, and what you value most.
How they compare
- Cost of living: near-identical — $1,605/mo in Bilbao vs $1,650/mo in Lisbon all-in for one person.
- Rent: lower in Bilbao ($850/mo vs $950/mo for a typical place).
- Safety: closely matched (82/100 vs 82/100).
- Internet: Bilbao scores better for remote work (82/100 vs 75/100).
- Climate: Lisbon edges ahead (60/100 vs 85/100).
- Visa: both rated Moderate to enter — check long-stay and residency options for your passport.
- Retirement/long-stay: both have options — Bilbao via the Non-Lucrative Visa, Lisbon via the Portugal D7 Visa.
- Expat community: larger and more established in Lisbon (68/100 vs 92/100).
- Families: closely matched on family safety (82/100 vs 80/100).
- Local salaries: higher in Bilbao (~$1,800/mo vs ~$1,400/mo average) — relevant if you'd work locally rather than remotely.
- Sunshine: Lisbon logs about 290 sunny days a year vs 155 in Bilbao.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bilbao or Lisbon cheaper to live in?
Bilbao costs about $1,605/month all-in for one person; Lisbon costs about $1,650/month. They land within $45/mo of each other, so lifestyle and neighbourhood matter more than the city you pick.
How much cheaper is Bilbao than Lisbon?
Barely — the two cities are within $45/month of each other all-in, so the cheaper choice comes down to your neighbourhood and lifestyle, not the city.
Which is safer, Bilbao or Lisbon?
They're closely matched — 82/100 for Bilbao and 82/100 for Lisbon. Neighbourhood choice matters more than the city here.
Which is better for remote work and digital nomads, Bilbao or Lisbon?
For connectivity, Bilbao rates higher (82/100 vs 75/100). On climate, Lisbon edges ahead (60/100 vs 85/100). Jonzy scores both against your income, passport, and priorities so you see which fits your setup.
Which is easier to get a visa for, Bilbao or Lisbon?
Bilbao's visa process is rated Moderate (about 12 weeks); Lisbon's is rated Moderate (about 9 weeks). Your passport changes the answer — run a visa check for both in Jonzy.
Can I compare Bilbao and Lisbon for my situation?
Yes, open Jonzy, enter your income and passport, and get personalised Life Upgrade Scores for both cities. You can also share a side-by-side comparison link with a partner.