--- title: "Compare places in Portugal" description: "Compare our five city and region guides, with editorial notes and dated rent benchmarks." url: "https://ultimateportugal.com/compare-cities" author: "Rex McIntosh" author_role: "Founder & Editor, Ultimate Portugal" author_url: "https://ultimateportugal.com/authors/rex-mcintosh" publisher: "Ultimate Portugal" license: "Free to read and quote with attribution to Ultimate Portugal." --- # Compare places in Portugal Cities and regions cover different areas. These are editorial views from our existing guides. Rent figures describe past signed leases per square metre, not current asking rents or monthly quotes. Compare period, area and typology before using them. ## Lisbon Guide: https://ultimateportugal.com/cities/lisbon Updated: 2026-07-30 Region: Lisbon & Central Review status: current For visitors: A sun-bleached capital of hilltop viewpoints, rattling trams and tiled façades you can wander for days without repeating yourself. For movers: Portugal's most cosmopolitan, best-connected city — buzzing and international, but with the rents to match. Best for: City breaks, Digital nomads, Culture Rent benchmark: Instituto Nacional de Estatística – Portugal (Statistics Portugal), 12 months to March 2026; checked 2026-07-30 - Lisboa: €17.22/m² (all typologies); 17,144 registered leases - Oeiras: €15.42/m² (all typologies); 3,163 registered leases - Amadora: €13.00/m² (all typologies); 3,327 registered leases - Odivelas: €12.75/m² (all typologies); 2,540 registered leases - Loures: €11.79/m² (all typologies); 3,285 registered leases Monthly figures are ours, not INE's. We work them out from the INE median euro per square metre, assuming gross private areas of 50 to 80 m² for a one-bed flat and 75 to 110 m² for a two-bed flat. Gross private area includes enclosed balconies and cellars, so it runs larger than the useful area an agent advertises. Source: Instituto Nacional de Estatística – Portugal (Statistics Portugal) Source: https://www.ine.pt/xurl/ind/0014696 ## Porto Guide: https://ultimateportugal.com/cities/porto Updated: 2026-07-30 Region: Porto & North Review status: current For visitors: A granite, river-cut city of tiled churches, port lodges and a UNESCO old town that rewards aimless wandering. For movers: Lisbon's soulful, more affordable rival — characterful, increasingly international and easier on the wallet. Best for: City breaks, Foodies, Value-minded movers Rent benchmark: Instituto Nacional de Estatística – Portugal (Statistics Portugal), 12 months to March 2026; checked 2026-07-30 - Porto: €14.29/m² (all typologies); 7,574 registered leases - Vila Nova de Gaia: €10.77/m² (all typologies); 4,418 registered leases - Matosinhos: €12.20/m² (all typologies); 2,751 registered leases - Maia: €9.71/m² (all typologies); 1,586 registered leases - Gondomar: €8.82/m² (all typologies); 1,456 registered leases Monthly figures are ours, not INE's. We work them out from the INE median euro per square metre, assuming gross private areas of 50 to 80 m² for a one-bed flat and 75 to 110 m² for a two-bed flat. Gross private area includes enclosed balconies and cellars, so it runs larger than the useful area an agent advertises. Source: Instituto Nacional de Estatística – Portugal (Statistics Portugal) Source: https://www.ine.pt/xurl/ind/0014696 ## The Algarve Guide: https://ultimateportugal.com/cities/algarve Updated: 2026-07-30 Region: Algarve Review status: current For visitors: Portugal's sun-soaked south coast — golden cliffs, hidden coves and some of Europe's best beaches. For movers: The country's most established expat heartland, with English widely spoken, sunshine almost guaranteed and a town for every budget. Best for: Beach holidays, Retirees, Families, Golfers Rent benchmark: Instituto Nacional de Estatística – Portugal (Statistics Portugal), 12 months to March 2026; checked 2026-07-30 - Albufeira: €12.14/m² (all typologies); 970 registered leases; long-term leases only, holiday lets excluded - Lagos: €12.00/m² (all typologies); 493 registered leases; long-term leases only, holiday lets excluded - Lagoa: €10.00/m² (all typologies); 307 registered leases; long-term leases only, holiday lets excluded - Portimão: €11.62/m² (all typologies); 1,440 registered leases; long-term leases only, holiday lets excluded - Loulé: €12.06/m² (all typologies); 1,638 registered leases; long-term leases only, holiday lets excluded - Tavira: €11.42/m² (all typologies); 596 registered leases; long-term leases only, holiday lets excluded - Olhão: €8.65/m² (all typologies); 507 registered leases; long-term leases only, holiday lets excluded - Faro: €9.80/m² (all typologies); 1,247 registered leases; long-term leases only, holiday lets excluded Monthly figures are ours, not INE's. We work them out from the INE median euro per square metre, assuming gross private areas of 50 to 80 m² for a one-bed flat and 75 to 110 m² for a two-bed flat. Gross private area includes enclosed balconies and cellars, so it runs larger than the useful area an agent advertises. Source: Instituto Nacional de Estatística – Portugal (Statistics Portugal) Source: https://www.ine.pt/xurl/ind/0014696 ## Madeira Guide: https://ultimateportugal.com/cities/madeira Updated: 2026-07-30 Region: Islands Review status: current For visitors: A dramatically green Atlantic island of cloud-forest hikes, sea cliffs and year-round spring weather. For movers: A mild, safe, surprisingly affordable island that's quietly become one of Europe's friendliest bases for remote workers. Best for: Hikers, Digital nomads, Mild-winter seekers Rent benchmark: Instituto Nacional de Estatística – Portugal (Statistics Portugal), 12 months to March 2026; checked 2026-07-30 - Funchal: €13.60/m² (all typologies); 1,153 registered leases; long-term leases only, holiday lets excluded - Santa Cruz: €10.66/m² (all typologies); 254 registered leases; long-term leases only, holiday lets excluded - Câmara de Lobos: €8.00/m² (all typologies); 87 registered leases; thin data, so treat it as indicative; long-term leases only, holiday lets excluded - Calheta: €6.13/m² (all typologies); 65 registered leases; thin data, so treat it as indicative; long-term leases only, holiday lets excluded Monthly figures are ours, not INE's. We work them out from the INE median euro per square metre, assuming gross private areas of 50 to 80 m² for a one-bed flat and 75 to 110 m² for a two-bed flat. Gross private area includes enclosed balconies and cellars, so it runs larger than the useful area an agent advertises. Source: Instituto Nacional de Estatística – Portugal (Statistics Portugal) Source: https://www.ine.pt/xurl/ind/0014696 ## Cascais & Estoril Guide: https://ultimateportugal.com/cities/cascais Updated: 2026-07-30 Region: Lisbon & Central Review status: current For visitors: A polished seaside town a short train ride from Lisbon — sandy bays, marina cafés and an easy Riviera air. For movers: The Lisbon area's most family-friendly coastal address, packed with international schools and English-speaking expats — and priced for it. Best for: Families, Affluent expats, Seaside city breaks Rent benchmark: Instituto Nacional de Estatística – Portugal (Statistics Portugal), 12 months to March 2026; checked 2026-07-30 - Cascais: €16.50/m² (all typologies); 4,034 registered leases - Cascais e Estoril parish: €18.15/m² (all typologies); parish aggregate; 1,817 registered leases - Carcavelos e Parede parish: €17.05/m² (all typologies); parish aggregate; 1,051 registered leases - Alcabideche: €13.86/m² (all typologies); parish aggregate; 552 registered leases - São Domingos de Rana: €13.33/m² (all typologies); parish aggregate; 614 registered leases Monthly figures are ours, not INE's. We work them out from the INE median euro per square metre, assuming gross private areas of 50 to 80 m² for a one-bed flat, 75 to 110 m² for a two-bed flat and 110 to 180 m² for a three-bed house or villa. Gross private area includes enclosed balconies and cellars, so it runs larger than the useful area an agent advertises. Source: Instituto Nacional de Estatística – Portugal (Statistics Portugal) Source: https://www.ine.pt/xurl/ind/0014696 --- Ultimate Portugal — https://ultimateportugal.com HTML version of this page: https://ultimateportugal.com/compare-cities