Townleap

Cost of Living: Bilbao vs Lagos (2026)

Spain vs Portugal — relocation comparison

TL;DREnglish is much more widely spoken in Lagos. Both cities will charge you about the same to exist.
69
Livability Score
🇪🇸 Bilbao
Spain
Full profile
71
Livability Score
🇵🇹 Lagos
Portugal
Full profile
Bilbao and Lagos are almost suspiciously well-matched. Flip a coin.
💰
Cost of Living
Lagos
$26/mo cheaper on rent alone
☀️
Weather
25°C vs 28°C summers
🗣️
English
Lagos
higher proficiency score
Bilbao
Metric
Lagos
$1259/mo
🏠
Rent (1BR centre)
$1233/mo
$578/mo
🛒
Living costs (no rent)
$518/mo
0.7 / 100k
🔒
Homicides
0.7 / 100k
25°C
☀️
Summer high
28°C
6°C
❄️
Winter low
10°C
Internet speed
84 Mbps
10.1 μg/m³
🌬️
Air quality (PM2.5)
8.1 / 10
🗳️
Democracy
8.1 / 10
38/100
🗣️
Street English
72/100
$58k
💼
GDP per capita
$52k
2.8% · Boringly steady
📈
Inflation
2.4% · Boringly steady
69 / 100
🏅
Livability Score
71 / 100

The Short Version

  • Rent is 2% cheaper in Lagos ($1233/mo vs $1259/mo for a 1BR city centre).
  • Summers are slightly warmer in Lagos (28°C vs 25°C).
  • Street-level English is easier in Lagos (72/100 vs 38/100).

Bilbao vs Lagos — Common Questions

Is Bilbao cheaper than Lagos?

Lagos is cheaper. A 1-bedroom apartment in city centre costs around $1233/month in Lagos vs $1259/month in the other city (Numbeo data).

Which is safer, Bilbao or Lagos?

Bilbao is statistically safer based on UNODC homicide data. Bilbao has a rate of 0.69 per 100,000 and Lagos has 0.72 per 100,000.

Should I move to Bilbao or Lagos?

Bilbao and Lagos are almost suspiciously well-matched. Flip a coin. See the full comparison above for rent, safety, internet speed, climate, and democracy scores to decide which city fits your priorities.

Which has better weather, Bilbao or Lagos?

Lagos is warmer in summer (28°C vs 25°C). Bilbao has milder summers, which suits those who prefer cooler weather. Climate preference is personal — use the weather section above to compare seasons.

Can I live in Bilbao or Lagos without speaking the local language?

Lagos is easier for street-level English (72/100) than Bilbao (38/100). That's the score that matters for doctors, landlords, and bureaucracy. Office English can still run higher than street English in both cities.

Don't agree? Take the quiz and see what fits you.

Factor in your salary, family size, weather preferences, and deal-breakers.