Cost of living in Silves

Silves, a charming city in Portugal, offers a unique blend of historical allure and modern living. Understanding the cost of living here is crucial for anyone considering a move or extended stay.

This guide provides a detailed breakdown of the expenses you can expect, from dining and groceries to housing and transportation, helping you plan your budget effectively.

Cost of Living Summary

Dining and Restaurants

  • Inexpensive Restaurant Meal - A meal at a casual restaurant will typically cost $12.51 on average.
  • Mid-Range Restaurant (Three-Course Meal for Two) - For a more upscale dining experience, expect to pay around $62.57.
  • Fast Food (e.g., McDonald's) - A McMeal or equivalent combo meal averages $8.34.
  • Beverages (e.g., Domestic Beer, Imported Beer, Cappuccino, Coke/Pepsi) - Domestic beer averages $1.04, imported beer $2.09, cappuccino $1.56, and Coke/Pepsi $1.56.

Grocery Prices

  • Milk - Milk is priced at $0.86 per liter.
  • Bread (Loaf of Fresh White Bread) - A loaf of fresh white bread costs $1.77.
  • Eggs (Dozen) - A dozen eggs average $5.21.
  • Fruits (e.g., Apples, Oranges) - Apples cost $1.77 per kg, while oranges are $1.46 per kg.
  • Vegetables (e.g., Potatoes, Lettuce) - Potatoes are priced at $1.25 per kg, and lettuce costs $1.56 per head.

Transportation

  • Public Transport (One-Way Ticket) - A one-way local transport ticket costs $2.61, with a monthly pass priced at $26.07.
  • Fuel (Gasoline) - Gasoline is priced at $2.09 per liter.
  • Taxi Fares - Taxi fares start at $2.61.

Housing Costs

  • 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $1564.20.
  • 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent averages $625.68.
  • 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $1877.04.
  • 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent averages $1042.80.

Utilities

  • Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water, etc.) - Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment cost $156.42.
  • Internet - Internet services average $36.50.
Worldwide
Portugal

Cost of Living Rankings

The cost of living indices for Portugal are compared to New York City (NYC), which serves as the baseline with an index of 100. These provide insights into the relative cost of living in different cities in Portugal, covering factors like consumer goods, rent, and purchasing power.

Highest to LowestUpdated: Oct, 2025
Lisbon
1. Lisbon
Portugal
Porto
2. Porto
Portugal
Braga
3. Braga
Portugal

Cost of Living Data

The following pricing data has been gathered from 1 user contributions, as of the most recent update in December, 2024.
Restaurants
Avg / Range
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant
$12.51
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course
$62.57
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)
$8.34
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.04
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.09
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.56
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.04
Cappuccino (regular)
$1.56
Markets
Avg / Range
Milk (regular), (1 liter)
$0.86
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)
$1.77
Eggs (regular) (12)
$5.21
Local Cheese (1kg)
$5.21
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.25
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)
$3.13
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.25
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.09
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)
$5.21
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.13
Apples (1kg)
$1.77
Oranges (1kg)
$1.46
Potato (1kg)
$1.25
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.56
Rice (white), (1kg)
$1.25
Tomato (1kg)
$2.09
Banana (1kg)
$1.04
Onion (1kg)
$2.09
Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)
$15.64
Transportation
Avg / Range
One-way Ticket (Local Transport)
$2.61
Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$26.07
Gasoline (1 liter)
$2.09
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)
$20,855.99
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.61
Rent Per Month
Avg / Range
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre
$1,564.20
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre
$625.68
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre
$1,877.04
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre
$1,042.80
Utilities (Monthly)
Avg / Range
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment
$156.42
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)
$36.50
Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data
$31.28
Sports And Leisure
Avg / Range
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult
$83.42
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat
$7.30
Clothing And Shoes
Avg / Range
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$52.14
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...)
$31.28
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range)
$104.28
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes
$125.14
Salaries And Financing
Avg / Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$886.38
OverviewJob Market
Silves Cost of Living

"Key Takeaways"

Silves offers a relatively affordable cost of living compared to larger Portuguese cities, with reasonable prices for dining and groceries.

Housing costs can vary significantly depending on location, with city centre apartments being more expensive.

Transportation is affordable, with public transport and fuel prices being manageable for most residents.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Silves provides a balanced cost of living with affordable dining and transportation options.

While housing in the city centre can be pricey, options outside the centre offer more budget-friendly alternatives.

Overall, Silves is an attractive option for those seeking a cost-effective lifestyle in Portugal.

Silves

Nearby Cities

We don't have any relevant "Quality of life" data on cities with a 200 mile radius of Silves
All cities in Portugal