Best Cities in Portugal to Live In 2026
3 cities ranked by Livability Score — affordability, safety, internet, democracy & climate.
Porto
83/100Lisbon
79/100Faro
73/100Compare cities in Portugal
❓ Living in Portugal — Common Questions
What is the best city to live in Portugal?▾
Based on our Livability Score, Porto ranks #1 in Portugal with a score of 83/100, and city-centre rent from around $1132/month.
What is the cheapest city in Portugal?▾
Faro has the most affordable city-centre rent in our Portugal data, at around $1078/month for a 1-bedroom apartment.
What is the safest city in Portugal?▾
By UNODC homicide rate data, Porto is the safest city in Portugal in our database, with a rate of 0.7 per 100,000 people.
Should I move to Porto or Lisbon?▾
Porto scores 83/100 on our Livability Score vs 79/100 for Lisbon. Rent is $1132/mo in Porto vs $1547/mo in Lisbon. See the full comparison at the bottom of this page.
How do I get long-term residency or a visa to live in Portugal?▾
Portugal offers the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa (moderate process). Duration: 1 year (renewable to 5). Key requirement: Proof of remote income ≥ €3,040/mo. Application via Portuguese consulate.. The process is moderate difficulty. Check individual city pages for full details.