Places · Norte
Living in Guimarães
A UNESCO-listed historic centre in the north, among the cheapest places we track for a family.
Region
Norte
Population
156,000
Best for
The lowest family costs in the north
Single household
€1,080 / month (€902–€1,379)
Couple
€1,596 / month (€1,336–€2,033)
Couple with two children
€2,304 / month
Where the money goes each month
| Item | Single | Couple |
|---|---|---|
| Rent, 2-bedroom apartmentLong-term unfurnished lease outside the tourist core. | €550 | €720 |
| Electricity, water and gasAveraged across the year for an apartment; winter bills run higher because most homes have no central heating. | €98 | €98 |
| Internet and mobileFibre package with one or two mobile lines. | €45 | €45 |
| Home contents insuranceContents cover for a rented apartment. | €12 | €12 |
| GroceriesSupermarket shopping, counted per person; a child counts as roughly 60% of an adult. | €190 | €380 |
| Public transport passMonthly metropolitan pass, per adult who commutes. | €30 | €54 |
| Private health insuranceMid-range private plan on top of public healthcare; a child costs roughly half an adult. | €40 | €80 |
| Eating out and leisureCounted per adult, with a discount for a shared household. | €115 | €207 |
Rent is the whole story. Every other line in a Portuguese budget is modest by Western European standards; housing is not, and in Guimarães it is what will decide whether your income is comfortable or tight.
Long-term unfurnished leases are far cheaper than the furnished, English-language listings aimed at newcomers. Arriving with three months of temporary accommodation booked and searching locally almost always beats signing remotely.
Compare with other cities
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