The 10 cheapest cities to live in Portugal
Article by Viv Europe - Official Legal and Relocation Partner to KipperTree.
Planning a low-cost relocation to the Portuguese lands? Check out the 10 cheapest cities to move to in Portugal in our latest article.
Living in Portugal is the dream of many people around the world. But contrary to what you may think, it is not necessary to pay dearly to live well. Discover some of the 10 cheapest cities to move to, in Portugal in this complete post.
Find out what these cities have in common, and what it’s like to live in each one of them. Follow up!
Get to know some of the cheapest cities to live in Portugal
We did extensive research on Portuguese cities to find the final list. Here, you will find cities with populations between 50,000 and 100,000 inhabitants. That is, neither too small nor too big. Furthermore, it was essential that they have their own economy and a strong local culture.
Without further ado, welcome to the cheapest parts of Portugal!
1. Castelo Branco
The city of Castelo Branco is located in central Portugal, near the Spanish border. So it means it’s halfway between Lisbon, Porto, and Madrid. Castelo Branco is a traditional and cultural place, with wholesale and retail trade as its main economic sector. For those who want to study in Portugal, Castelo Branco has a polytechnic institute.
Day-to-day life is quiet, and Castelo Branco residents benefit from little traffic. In fact, many residents only get around by bicycle. Living here, you get to enjoy many green areas and historical monuments to visit.
The climate in Castelo Branco is mild and pleasant. In winter, however, it usually rains a lot. The average in January is 7.6 °C (45.8 °F), and in August it is 25 °C (77.1 °F).
Details about Castelo Branco
Population 52,272 inhabitants
Percentage of the population that is foreign 3.8%
Percentage of the working-age population 62%
The average price for a property of 100 m² €78,600
Average rental price for a 50 m² one-bedroom apartment €265 per month
Average monthly earnings €995
2. Santarém
Just an hour away from Lisbon, the city of Santarém, in the Santarém district, is one of the cheapest cities to live in Portugal. It’s also much calmer than the Portuguese capital, in what is called the Ribatejo region.
Santarém is a cheap option near Lisbon
Although in the interior of Portugal, Santarém is a developed city, with good employment opportunities and excellent accessibility.
The local economy is traditionally focused on agriculture and livestock, and the Gothic monuments give the city a unique charm. Here, the weather is usually warm and humid, with mild temperatures throughout the year and cold and rainy winters. The average temperature in January is 9.9 °C (49.7 °F), and in August it is 23.2 °C (73.8 °F).
Details about Santarém
Population 58,770 inhabitants
Percentage of the population that is foreign 5.1%
Percentage of the working-age population 61.8%
The average price for a property of 100 m² €83,200
Average rental price for a 50 m² one-bedroom apartment €255 per month
Average monthly earnings €1,065
3. Viseu
Viseu, in the centre of Portugal, is one of the most famous cities to live well with little money. About 130 km from Porto, Viseu is another countryside town that has attracted many foreigners to restart their lives lately.
In addition, in the Portugal City Brand Ranking 2021, Viseu was considered the 5th best city to live in the entire country. Access to public health is great, the streets are calm and clean, and the city is also rich in history. Viseu definitely deserves the highlight it has. In other words, you should definitely have it on your list.
Winter is very cold, and the average temperature in January is 6.5 °C (43.6 °F). As for summer, it tends to be very much warmer and dry, and in August the average temperature is 21.6 °C (70.8 °F).
Details about Viseu
Population 99,693 inhabitants
Percentage of the population that is foreign 3.1%
Percentage of the working-age population 65.1%
The average price for a property of 100 m² €115,100
Average rental price for a 50 m² one-bedroom apartment €255 per month
Average monthly earnings €1,037
4. Viana do Castelo
The city of Viana do Castelo owns some of the most beautiful landscapes in Portugal and is located in the far north of the country. It is known as the Pearl of the Minho region, and still, it has one of the lowest costs of living.
In addition to the beauty of the beach, greenery, and historical monuments, residents of Viana do Castelo have good job and study offers. It is, though, much quieter than Porto, located 70 km south, but still pleases families.
The city is subject to strong Atlantic winds, with very cold and rainy winters and average temperatures in January of 9.5 °C (49.1 °F). In summer, there are a few days of intense heat, and in August the average temperature is 20.5 °C (68.9 °F), good enough to enjoy the beaches.
Details about Viana do Castelo
Population 85,864 inhabitants
Percentage of the population that is foreign 2.9%
Percentage of the working-age population 64.7%
The average price for a property of 100 m² €122,100
Average rental price for a 50 m² one-bedroom apartment €305 per month
Average monthly earnings €1,115
5. Figueira da Foz
Beautifying the Portuguese Silver Coast, Figueira da Foz is also one of the cheapest cities to live in Portugal. It is just 50 km from Coimbra, 200 km from Lisbon, and 140 km from Porto. It is, therefore, a great option for those looking for an environment close to big cities, but with silence and beautiful views.
Figueira da Foz is a city of great tradition and historical importance, being one of the main cities to visit in the Centro region. The city’s extensive beaches attract people from all over the country, and the city’s lifestyle mainly appeals to those looking for calm days.
The average in January is °C ( °F), and in August it is °C ( °F).
Details about Figueira da Foz
Population 58,982 inhabitants
Percentage of the population that is foreign 4.7%
Percentage of the working-age population 62.7%
The average price for a property of 100 m² €124,500
Average rental price for a 50 m² one-bedroom apartment €260 per month
Average monthly earnings €1,195
6. Ponta Delgada
Have you ever thought about living on an island in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean? You’ll be glad to know that Ponta Delgada, the capital of the Azores archipelago, is also one of the cheapest cities to live in Portugal. And, of course, the quality of life here hardly disappoints anyone. Welcome to the island of São Miguel!
Ponta Delgada is a cheap city in the Azores
The Portuguese archipelago of the Azores is famous for its breathtaking natural settings, and living in Ponta Delgada is an affordable dream.
Unlike most of Portugal, Ponta Delgada has a tropical climate. That means that temperatures don’t change as much in each season, and the weather is always pleasant. The average temperature in January is 14.5 °C (58.2 °F), and in August it is 22.1 °C (71.8 °F). Sure, it rains a lot here, but it’s worth it if it’s for keeping Mother Nature happy.
Details about Ponta Delgada
Population 67,287 inhabitants
Percentage of the population that is foreign 1.7%
Percentage of the working-age population 70.5%
The average price for a property of 100 m² €129,200
Average rental price for a 50 m² one-bedroom apartment €345 per month
Average monthly earnings €1,206
7. Alcobaça
Located in the central-western region of Portugal, Alcobaça is a deeply cultural city and a great place to live. At only 110 km from central Lisbon, Alcobaça holds some of the most important monuments to Portuguese history.
Residents of the small town of Alcobaça benefit from a relaxed standard of living. In addition to access to culture, living in Alcobaça allows you to have contact with incredible natural environments in the surroundings. In other words, from Serra dos Candeeiros to the Atlantic Ocean.
Living here is ideal for those looking for a calm small town in central Portugal. The average temperature in Alcobaça in January is 10,5 °C (50,9 °F), and in August it is 21 °C (69,8 °F).
Details about Alcobaça
Population 54,981 inhabitants
Percentage of the population that is foreign 4.6%
Percentage of the working-age population 65%
The average price for a property of 100 m² €132,500
Average rental price for a 50 m² one-bedroom apartment €245 per month
Average monthly earnings €1,007
8. Évora
Also known as the city museum, Évora is one of the most important cities in the Alentejo region. It’s in a south-central location, below Lisbon and above the Algarve, surrounded by vineyards, extensive plantations, and cattle raising. The city itself is protected by centuries-old walls, and the streets are full of history.
Évora in Alentejo has a low cost of living
Living in Évora is to be living inside a UNESCO World Heritage. Its churches, Roman ruins, and university enchant any visitor. And also, the capital of Alentejo was considered the best city to live, visit and do business in the region by the Portugal City Brand Ranking 2021.
At 140 km from Lisbon, life here is marked by good quality of life. Évora is a small town, but there is no lack of essential services for its residents. The average temperature in January is 9.2 °C (48.6 °F), and in August it is 24.8 °C (76.7 °F).
Details about Évora
Population 53,568 inhabitants
Percentage of the population that is foreign 4.4%
Percentage of the working-age population 62.5%
The average price for a property of 100 m² €144,700
Average rental price for a 50 m² one-bedroom apartment €405 per month
Average monthly earnings €1,122
Interested in finding out who coverts the number 9 and number 10 spots? Read the full article here