Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money ยท Updated October 2026
Coimbra is easier to travel (1.6 vs 2.0). Biggest gap: rip-offs & haggling โ Coimbra 1 vs Madeira 2. Closer to 1 is easier. Difficulty ranking โบ
| Item | Coimbra | Madeira | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | โฌ 10.5$12.2 | โฌ 11$12.8 | similar |
| Street food1 item | โฌ 3.5$4.07 | โฌ 5$5.81 | Coimbra โ30% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | โฌ 20$23.3 | โฌ 22$25.6 | Coimbra โ9% |
| Coffeeone cup | โฌ 1.8$2.09 | โฌ 1.6$1.86 | Madeira โ11% |
| Beerone bottle | โฌ 2.3$2.67 | โฌ 2.5$2.91 | Coimbra โ8% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | โฌ 5$5.81 | โฌ 4.5$5.23 | Madeira โ10% |
| Bottled water | โฌ 0.8$0.93 | โฌ 0.8$0.93 | similar |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | โฌ 1.4$1.63 | โฌ 1.5$1.74 | Coimbra โ7% |
| Taxi5 km in town | โฌ 8$9.3 | โฌ 8.5$9.88 | Coimbra โ6% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | โฌ 5$5.81 | โฌ 6$6.98 | Coimbra โ17% |
| Transitone ride | โฌ 2$2.33 | โฌ 1.95$2.27 | similar |
| Scooter rentalper day | โฌ 20$23.3 | โฌ 25$29.1 | Coimbra โ20% |
| Hotel night3-star | โฌ 85$98.8 | โฌ 100$116 | Coimbra โ15% |
| Studio rent (month) | โฌ 600$698 | โฌ 900$1,047 | Coimbra โ33% |
| Laundry | โฌ 7$8.14 | โฌ 3$3.49 | Madeira โ57% |
| SIM card1 week data | โฌ 20$23.3 | โฌ 15$17.4 | Madeira โ25% |
| Haircutcut | โฌ 12$14 | โฌ 12$14 | similar |
| Massage1 hour | โฌ 45$52.3 | โฌ 50$58.1 | Coimbra โ10% |
| Half-day tourper person | โฌ 25$29.1 | โฌ 35$40.7 | Coimbra โ29% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | โฌ 16.5$19.2 | โฌ 12$14 | Madeira โ27% |
Reference prices start as estimates from published price levels; items with 3+ traveler reports use the median of real reports. Hostels and local eateries cut both by 30%+.
Coimbra is 17% cheaper than Madeira. Daily budget $190 vs $213; a month $3,290 vs $4,261.
Coimbra is easier: Coimbra 1.6/5 vs Madeira 2.0/5 (average of rip-offs, language, transport, payments and safety).
With a short-term studio and living costs, Coimbra is about $3,290 and Madeira about $4,261 per month.
They start as estimates informed by published price levels; any item with 3+ traveler reports switches to the median of real reports. Live reports are in the app.