![Portugal vs. the United States: which one offers a better life? [H1]](/assets/content/news/565/header/1.jpg)
Thinking about moving from the United States to Portugal? Here at Portugal Homes, we provide turnkey solutions for expats – from visa consultancy to property purchase, and management. This has given us enough experience and local insights to be able to help you make a truly informed decision. From housing costs and information about the quality of the healthcare system to lifestyle-related topics, at the end of this article, you’ll have discovered which of these two countries offers a better future for you and your family.
Why compare Portugal vs the United States?
Let’s be honest: if you landed in this article, you already have the answer. From our experience, the majority of people who get to the stage of comparing the United States with Portugal are considering making what could be a life-changing move. And that’s when the question appears: but would it change for the better?
Each case is different, of course, so your own expectations, goals and experience will inevitably also affect your judgment when it comes to assessing which country is best. Moreover, no place is perfect. It's completely normal that, when making the comparison, you’ll find that none of the contenders will be best at every single topic you take into account. That’s why it’s vital to have in mind which ones are the most important to you and to the future life you envision.
With Portugal increasingly becoming more popular with U.S. citizens, we decided to make a simple and clear breakdown of the most important things you should know, and how each country compares - or how they don’t - in items such as housing, costs and quality of life.
Portugal vs the U.S.: A Simple Breakdown Comparison
Safety
When it comes to safety, there aren’t really any doubts: Portugal is indisputably safer than the United States. In fact, Portugal is safer than almost anywhere else in the world. The country is ranked as the 7th safest country in the world, according to the Global Peace Index.
What’s interesting about this index is that it’s not only based on societal safety and security but also on the extent of domestic and international conflict, and the degree of militarisation of the nation. That way, the concept of safety goes beyond what you experience in your everyday life, and it extends to how safe you are against other types of threats, such as invasions and wars. And, in case you’re wondering, the United States is in the 132nd position on the same ranking.
Housing
Comparing national housing costs can be tricky, since prices will change dramatically from larger cities to small towns, in both the U.S. and Portugal. So, for a fair comparison, let’s put Lisbon against New York, which are the two most expensive cities of each country when it comes to real estate.
Price for an Apartment in the City Centre | ||
|---|---|---|
| New York City | Lisbon | |
| Renting 1-Bed | €3,552 ($3,872) | €1,388.86 ($1,513.86) |
| Renting 3-Bed | €7,845 ($8,55) | €2,633 ($2,869) |
| Buying | €16,477/m² ($17,960/m²or $1,668/ft²) | €6,632/m² ($7,229/m² or $671.68/ft²) |
Even amidst Lisbon’s heated real estate market, Portugal’s capital is way cheaper than many big cities in the United States. If you are able to work remotely for a U.S.-based company or have passive income coming from there, your money will probably stretch way further in Portugal.
Healthcare
In terms of quality, Portugal and the United States offer similar options when it comes to health-related services. According to the European Commission’s Healthcare Access and Quality Index, both countries are in a similar position, with the U.S. ranking in the 29th position and Portugal standing at 32nd.
The main difference, however, is their affordability. Portugal not only has private insurance at very reasonable prices but also a universal and government-funded system, with many services that are free or cost almost a symbolic amount. The SNS (Servico Nacional de Saúde, or National Health Service) is an asset available to all nationals and legal residents. Either through public or private providers, um thing is certain: getting proper health assistance will never be a financial burden in Portugal.
Read More:
Healthcare System in Portugal: A Key Benefit for Expats and Foreigners
Education
As a whole, education in Europe is known for its high quality, and Portugal is no exception. Even though the U.S. also has many outstanding institutions, hosting some of the most renowned universities in the world, what sets the two countries apart is, again, the cost-benefit ratio.
Citizens and residents of Portugal can count on public primary and secondary education that is not only free but also of the highest calibre. You’ll still have to pay for universities and polytechnic schools, but the tuition fees are not at all expensive for the quality they provide. The traditional Coimbra University, for example, one of the oldest in Europe and probably the pricier Portuguese University, charges €7,000 ($7,630) per year in 2025, while, in the U.S., the medium price for in-State students is over €10,651 ($11,610) per year and around €28.317 ($30,780) for out-of-State candidates.
Read More:
Education in Portugal: Everything Expats Need to Know
Best Business Schools and Universities in Portugal
What are the Best Schools in Portugal for my Children?
Cost of Living
Since the United States is a big country, with a large variation in housing prices – a big driver when it comes to cost of living - it’s hard to compare both countries. However, there is definitely a common sense that, in general, even though Portugal’s minimum salary is lower than what U.S. citizens are used to, things are way more affordable.
When you don’t have to spend astonishing amounts on education and healthcare, it's way easier to get to the end of the month with considerable savings. Also, by being inserted into a culture that revolves around fresh food, which is typically cheaper than industrialised products, grocery shopping bills will always be reasonable.
If you still want to see numbers, according to Numbeo, the cost of living in the U.S. is 45.1% higher than in Portugal, excluding rent or 52.8% higher if you include it.
Read More:
Cost of Living in Portugal: Still Affordable in 2025
Travelling
If you have a passion for international travel – or a business necessity –, living in Europe will place you in the perfect spot. By being on the edge of the continent, Portugal is close enough to the U.S., while also being only a short flight away from several countries, not only in Europe but also in Africa and even the Middle East.
That proximity will save you time and money, as well as open the doors of the world since residents of EU countries have visa-free access to all of the other 28 countries in the Schengen Zone. If you hold your residency for 5 years, you can apply for citizenship and land the 3rd most powerful passport in the world.
Read More:
Direct Flights from the U.S. To Portugal: an Easy Option and Growing Trend
From Europe to the World: Flying Connections with Portugal
Cuisine
That is the one thing that, as a North American, you might take the longest to get used to. Yes, you can find a little bit of everything in Portugal’s biggest cities, like Porto and Lisbon, but it will not compare to the number of possibilities you find in the U.S.
However, if you are open-minded when it comes to gastronomy, you might fall in love with the Portuguese cuisine. Full of flavour and freshness, each part of the country will offer a new speciality for you to try. The famous pastries are counterbalanced by the healthy habit of eating grilled fish with a side of boiled potatoes, or of starting any meal with a veggie-rich soup.
Language
Well, of course, when it comes to English, Portugal will never beat the U.S. However, it’s one of the best countries for English speakers to communicate in their native language, even scoring the 6th position as the most English-proficient country in the world. That holds especially true for places like Lisbon, Porto and the Algarve region. If you wish to move to a rural area, proficiency will be lower and learning Portuguese is advised.
How to Move from the U.S. to Portugal
A close look at the compared items will give a glimpse that living in Portugal as an American has a lot of upsides. Other than being easy enough to communicate, you’ll also have the chance to save a lot, being able to live large, spending less than you’re probably used to. Other than the items compared above, you’ll also find a more relaxed lifestyle, a lot of nature and great mild weather throughout the year.
The best part is that legally moving out of the United States and into Portugal can be an easy and straightforward path, thanks to the country’s most popular Residency by Investment programmes: the Golden Visa and the D2 Visa.
Which one is the best for you and your family? That will depend on your goals. But there is no need to get confused or drowned in research. Portugal Homes is a one-stop shop for expats who wish to get a new or second home in Portugal. From visa advisory to finding the perfect home, and then taking care of it, we do it all.
- D2 Business Visa and Golden Visa, from consultation to application
- Real Estate services encompassing house hunting, scheduling and accompanying on-site and online viewings, and advising on all the bureaucratic matters.
- Tax representation, snagging, furnishing and property management solutions.
Let us know what you are looking for, and let us be your local partner, walking right next to you every step of the way.
