Cost of Living, Safety & Expat Guide (2026)
Portugal

Italy
Based on our comparison, Lisbon wins 7 out of 8 categories.Milan wins 1 categories.
For digital nomads choosing between Lisbon and Milan, the answer depends on your priorities. Here's our analysis:
Best for Budget
Lisbon
$2,012/mo
Best Internet
Lisbon
100 Mbps
Best NomadIQ Score
Lisbon
7/10
Our Recommendation: Lisbon is the clear winner for digital nomads, offering both affordability and excellent nomad infrastructure.
When comparing Lisbon and Milan for digital nomads, several factors come into play.
Cost of Living: Lisbon offers a more affordable lifestyle at $2,012/month compared to Milan's $2,330/month.
Internet & Remote Work: Lisbon leads with 100 Mbps average internet speed, ideal for video calls and large file transfers. Milan offers 95 Mbps.
Safety: With a safety score of 6.7/10, Lisbon provides a more secure environment than Milan (4.6/10).
Overall: Lisbon earns a higher NomadIQ score of 7/10, making it slightly more suited for the digital nomad lifestyle.
Lisbon is 14% cheaper than Milan.
Lisbon has a higher safety score (6.7/10) compared to Milan (4.6/10).
6.7/10
Lisbon
4.6/10
Milan
For remote workers, internet speed is crucial. Lisbon offers faster internet at 100 Mbps vs 95 Mbps.
100 Mbps
Lisbon
95 Mbps
Milan
Based on our analysis, Lisbon edges out as the better choice for expats, winning 7 of 8 comparison factors.
Lisbon: Best for budget-conscious expats
Milan: Best for those prioritizing amenities
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