Lisbon vs Setúbal
How to read the comparison chart
The grouped bars score each city 0–100 on cost, climate and safety — taller is better. Lisbon leads on any axis where its bar is higher, Setúbal where its is. The cost bar uses a higher-is-cheaper scale, so Setúbal's taller cost bar reflects its lower cost of living, not a higher price.
| Axis | Lisbon | Setúbal |
|---|---|---|
| Livability | 67 | 69 |
| Cost (higher=cheaper) | 46 | 50 |
| Climate | 100 | 100 |
| Safety | 61 | 62 |
| Summer °C | 22.4 | 22.2 |
| Winter °C | 11.1 | 11.1 |
| Top disaster risk | wildfire | wildfire |
Lisbon vs Setúbal: the short answer
Setúbal comes out ahead on overall livability (69/100), only marginally above Lisbon (67/100). The two cities diverge most on cost of living. On affordability Setúbal is the cheaper base — nearly identical prices on our cost index (Lisbon 46 vs Setúbal 50, where a higher score means a lower cost of living, normalised from World Bank price levels). For climate, Lisbon runs warmer in summer (about 22.4°C peak vs 22.2°C in Setúbal), while winter lows sit near 11.1°C in Lisbon and 11.1°C in Setúbal. On natural-disaster exposure Setúbal is the safer choice (safety 62/100); the dominant modelled hazard is wildfire for Lisbon and wildfire for Setúbal.
Which city should you choose?
- On a tight budget → Setúbal — lower everyday costs..
- You want warmth → Lisbon — hotter summers.
- Safety is the priority → Setúbal — lower disaster risk.
- Best all-rounder → Setúbal — highest overall livability.
Data & methodology
Cost scores are normalised from World Bank price-level data. Climate figures (summer highs, winter lows) are drawn from 1991–2020 climate normals. Disaster-safety blends USGS earthquake history (magnitude 4.5+ within 300 km since 1980), tropical-cyclone basin position, flood/elevation exposure and Köppen climate zone. The livability score is the weighted composite of cost, climate and safety. All figures are planning indicators for 2026, not guarantees — verify specifics before relocating.
FAQ
Is Lisbon or Setúbal better to live in?
Setúbal scores higher overall — 69 vs 67 on our 0–100 livability index, which weights cost, climate and safety.
Which is cheaper, Lisbon or Setúbal?
Setúbal has the lower cost of living (cost index 50 vs 46; higher = cheaper, from World Bank price levels).
Which is warmer, Lisbon or Setúbal?
Lisbon — summer highs reach about 22.4°C versus 22.2°C in Setúbal.
Which is safer from natural disasters, Lisbon or Setúbal?
Setúbal (disaster-safety 62/100). Main hazard: wildfire in Lisbon, wildfire in Setúbal.
What is the main natural-disaster risk in Lisbon?
wildfire is the dominant modelled hazard for Lisbon on our risk index.
How is the Lisbon vs Setúbal comparison calculated?
Cost comes from World Bank price levels, climate from 1991–2020 normals, and disaster risk from USGS earthquake data, cyclone-basin position and flood exposure; livability is their weighted composite.