Considering the Digital Nomad Life? Here’s What Delyanne Barros Spends Monthly Living in Portugal
Written by
Angela Mae
Edited by
Jenna Klaverweiden
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A 2024 report found that 18.1 million Americans consider themselves digital nomads — that’s about 11% of U.S. workers. Digital nomads can be found in countries all over the world, including Portugal, where the cost of living is generally lower than it is in many other parts of the European Union.
But just how much does it cost to live in Portugal as a digital nomad? Your costs might vary, but this is what Delyanne Barros, the Money Coach, spends each month in Lisbon, the country’s capital.
Also see six countries where Americans can retire comfortably with less than $250,000 in savings.
Barros’ Monthly Budget Breakdown
In a YouTube short, Barros provided her monthly budget living in Portugal. Here’s how it breaks down:
- Rent: $4,800
- Food: $400
- Gym: $90
- VPN: $10
- Utilities: $150
- Shopping: $500
- EV charging: $50
- Phone: $35
- Pet: $50
- Nails: $50
- Car insurance: $65
- Housekeeper: $160
- Virtual mailbox: $20
- Health insurance: $100.
Barros’ total monthly cost of living is $6,480.
Cost of Living in Portugal vs. America
Costs can vary significantly based on where you live. According to Numbeo, the estimated monthly costs in Lisbon are nearly $890 per person (excluding rent). A one-bedroom apartment in the city center costs an average of over $1,650 a month. A three-bedroom in the city goes for a bit over $3,000, on average.
Using Barros’ monthly budget, she spends about $1,680 a month without rent. If you were to take the average rental costs in Lisbon, you could live the digital nomad life for between $3,330 and $4,680 a month — assuming all other costs are on par with Barros’.
Notably, the cost of living in Lisbon is much lower than what you’d get in many other major cities in America. Take Boston, a city with a fairly comparable population to Lisbon, as an example. Using Numbeo data, here’s how the costs differ:
- Lisbon’s cost of living is 36.7% lower than Boston’s.
- The cost of living with rent 42.2% lower in Lisbon than in Boston.
- Lisbon’s rentals cost about half of what you’d get in Boston.
- Groceries cost around 46% less in Lisbon than in Boston.
And if you take the U.S. vs. Portugal as a whole, overall costs are 31.8% lower in Portugal (including rent), per Numbeo. Local purchasing power is lower in Portugal, but if you’re earning money through remote work, that shouldn’t matter as much.
Income vs. Debt vs. Expenses
In her video, Barros shared that she doesn’t have any debt. She also said the following: “I have enough money invested to cover all these expenses for the rest of my life.”
In July 2024, she shared on Facebook that her rent is between 15% and 20% of her monthly income. She also said she has a $1.9 million net worth and is on track to retire at the age of 45.
Your income, debts, expenses and retirement goals are all important considerations when planning a life abroad. It’s important to stay within your means while still living the life of your dreams. This means keeping costs reasonable — but knowing when it’s okay to splurge.
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