Lisbon vs Berlin on €70,000: take-home pay, rent and cost of living in 2026
On a gross salary of €70,000 a year, a single employee takes home €3,600 a month in Lisbon (62% of gross) and €3,549 a month in Berlin (61%), after income tax and social security contributions.
Berlin is 15% more expensive than Lisbon overall (cost-of-living index 52.4 vs 45.6, New York = 100). A one-bedroom flat in the city centre rents for about €1,312 a month in Berlin and €1,415 in Lisbon, which leaves €2,237 and €2,185 of take-home pay after rent. Keeping the same standard of living and saving 15% of your pay would cost about €3,517 a month in Berlin: this salary leaves €32 a month on top.
By category, groceries cost 31% more in Berlin than in Lisbon, eating out 22% more and rent 3% less.
Of the gross salary, income tax takes €19,094 a year in Lisbon and €12,220 in Berlin; social contributions and other levies take €7,700 and €15,197.
| Lisbon | Berlin | |
|---|---|---|
| Gross salary per year | €70,000 | €70,000 |
| Income tax per year | €19,094 | €12,220 |
| Social contributions per year | €7,700 | €15,197 |
| Take-home pay per month | €3,600 | €3,549 |
| One-bedroom rent, city centre | €1,415 | €1,312 |
| Left after rent | €2,185 | €2,237 |
| Cost-of-living index (New York = 100) | 45.6 | 52.4 |
How each figure is taxed: Portugal tax calculator and Germany tax calculator; prices: cost of living in Lisbon and in Berlin. Single employee without children; rent and price data from Numbeo, refreshed monthly.
Questions about Lisbon vs Berlin
Is Berlin, Germany more expensive than Lisbon, Portugal?
Berlin, Germany is 15% more expensive than Lisbon, Portugal overall. On a gross salary of €70,000 a year, you take home €3,600 a month in Lisbon, Portugal and €3,549 a month in Berlin, Germany after income tax and social contributions.
How much can I save living in Berlin, Germany vs Lisbon, Portugal?
Keeping the same standard of living as in Lisbon, Portugal, you could save about €32 a month (€382 a year) in Berlin, Germany on this salary, after rent and living costs.
What taxes will I pay in Germany vs Portugal?
On €70,000 gross a year you take home €3,600 a month in Portugal and €3,549 a month in Germany. The calculation applies each country's 2026 income tax and social security rules for a single employee.