Sarajevo vs Lisbon: Cost, Visas & Safety
Living in Sarajevo vs Lisbon: Sarajevo runs about $960/mo all-in vs $1,650/mo in Lisbon — Sarajevo is cheaper. See visas, safety, internet, and climate…
Sarajevo is the cheaper base — roughly $690/mo less all-in, Lisbon scores higher for safety, and internet is comparable in both. Which one wins depends on your income, passport, and what you value most.
How they compare
- Cost of living: Sarajevo is about $690/mo cheaper — $960/mo all-in vs $1,650/mo in Lisbon (one person).
- Rent: lower in Sarajevo ($500/mo vs $950/mo for a typical place).
- Safety: Lisbon rates higher (76/100 for Sarajevo vs 82/100 for Lisbon).
- Internet: both solid for remote work (76/100 vs 75/100).
- Climate: Lisbon edges ahead (60/100 vs 85/100).
- Visa: both rated Very Easy to enter — check long-stay and residency options for your passport.
- Retirement/long-stay: Lisbon offers the Portugal D7 Visa; Sarajevo has no comparable retirement visa.
- Expat community: larger and more established in Lisbon (62/100 vs 92/100).
- Families: Lisbon rates safer for family life (72/100 vs 80/100 family safety).
- Local salaries: higher in Lisbon (~$1,400/mo vs ~$700/mo average) — relevant if you'd work locally rather than remotely.
- Sunshine: Lisbon logs about 290 sunny days a year vs 185 in Sarajevo.
Frequently asked questions
Is Sarajevo or Lisbon cheaper to live in?
Sarajevo costs about $960/month all-in for one person; Lisbon costs about $1,650/month. That makes Sarajevo roughly $690/mo cheaper, though rent, food, and lifestyle choices shift the total.
How much cheaper is Sarajevo than Lisbon?
About $690/month for a single person — $960/mo in Sarajevo vs $1,650/mo in Lisbon, covering rent, food, transport, healthcare, utilities, and everyday extras.
Which is safer, Sarajevo or Lisbon?
Lisbon scores higher on Jonzy's safety index (76/100 for Sarajevo vs 82/100 for Lisbon). Both are catalog averages — feelings of safety also vary by neighbourhood and time of day.
Which is better for remote work and digital nomads, Sarajevo or Lisbon?
For connectivity, both are solid (76/100 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, Sarajevo or Lisbon?
Sarajevo's visa process is rated Very Easy (about no formal wait); Lisbon's is rated Moderate (about 9 weeks). Your passport changes the answer — run a visa check for both in Jonzy.
Can I compare Sarajevo 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.