Side-by-side city decision # Raleigh vs Cascais. A direct comparison of monthly costs, connectivity, safety, quality of life and remote-work fit. Share comparison Copy link RaleighUnited States2 VS CascaisPortugal3 $2,000Raleigh monthly budget $1,805Cascais monthly budget 200 MbpsRaleigh internet 150 MbpsCascais internet Decision summary Cascais Cascais leads on more of the six headline signals. Cost Best budget Cascais Speed Fastest internet Raleigh Vibe Best nomad vibe Tie Safety Highest safety Cascais Air Cleanest air Raleigh Walk Most walkable Cascais Quick read ## Two cities at a glance The headline numbers before you examine the full comparison. [Raleigh](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/united-states/raleigh.md) United States 2/6 Budget$2,000 Internet200 Mbps Vibe7/10 [Cascais](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/portugal/cascais.md) Portugal 3/6 Budget$1,805 Internet150 Mbps Vibe7/10 Full comparison ## Compare what matters Green marks the stronger numeric result. Text-only categories are presented without a winner. Differences only ### Monthly budget and costs 7 signals Total estimated budget $2,000 $1,805 1-bed center rent $1,250 $1,200 Coworking desk $200 $200 Local meal $15 $11 Cappuccino $4.5 $2.7 Gym membership $40 $45 Transport budget $60 $55 ### Work and infrastructure 2 signals Internet speed 200 Mbps 150 Mbps Nomad vibe 7/10 7/10 ### Quality of life 5 signals Safety index 75/100 85/100 Air quality 85/100 80/100 Walkability 6/10 7/10 Female safety 7/10 8/10 LGBTQ+ friendly 8/10 8/10 ### Culture and climate 4 signals Healthcare quality Good Good English proficiency Excellent Good Climate type Humid subtropical Mediterranean Best time to visit Apr - Jun May - Sep Beyond the numbers ## What each city asks you to trade Costs and scores help narrow the choice. These practical strengths and limitations finish the picture. [Raleigh](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/united-states/raleigh.md) United States → ### Strengths * Strong job market in tech and research * Affordable cost of living compared to other US cities * Green spaces and parks throughout the city * Friendly and welcoming community * Excellent universities and education options * Growing food and craft beer scene ### Trade-offs * Public transportation is limited outside downtown * Hot and humid summers can be uncomfortable * Car is almost essential for most errands * Limited nightlife compared to larger metros * Sales tax on groceries is higher than some states * Occasional hurricanes and thunderstorms ### Common visa routes * B1/B2 Visitor Visa * ESTA (Visa Waiver) * H-1B Work Visa [Cascais](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/portugal/cascais.md) Portugal → ### Strengths * Beautiful beaches and coastal views * Very safe and clean environment * Close to Lisbon (30 min by train) * Excellent year-round weather * Strong expat and nomad community * High-quality healthcare options ### Trade-offs * Expensive compared to other Portuguese towns * Gets crowded with tourists in summer * Limited nightlife compared to Lisbon * Hilly terrain can be tiring on foot * Public transport less frequent than in the capital * Tourist-heavy center can feel inauthentic ### Common visa routes * D7 Passive Income Visa * Digital Nomad Visa (D8) * Golden Visa Reading the result ## Use this as a planning benchmark The headline score compares six directional signals. It does not weight personal priorities, visa eligibility, household size or individual lifestyle choices. Costs are monthly estimates, not guaranteed prices. Higher is better for quality scores and connectivity. Lower is better for budgets and individual expenses.