Caldas da Rainha vs Rio Maior: cost of living compared
versus
Yearly saving in Rio Maior
€2,106/year
For a single person buying a home, Rio Maior works out cheaper. A home in Rio Maior costs €49,860 less.
You will
Household
Transport
60 m²
More adjustments
Caldas da RainhaRio Maior
Estimated home price · 60 m²€131,280Δ €49,860€81,420
On the day you buy
Down payment€13,128€8,142
Transfer tax (IMT)€499€0
Stamp duty · purchase€1,050€651
Stamp duty · loan€709€440
Total upfront€15,386€9,233
Monthly payment€455€282
Mortgage payments35 years at 3.00% · 90% financed
€5,456€3,384
€2,072less in Rio Maior
Property tax (IMI)1VPT estimated at 50% of price
€197€155
€42less in Rio Maior
Water, sewage and wasteOfficial tariffs · 4 m³/month
€206€167
€39less in Rio Maior
ElectricityERSE regulated tariff · 1,469 kWh/year
€380€380
same in both
GasNatural gas, regulated tariff
€209€209
same in both
Income tax refunded by the municipalityCaldas da Rainha gives back 3%, Rio Maior gives back 0.6%
€60€12
€48less in Caldas da Rainha
Total per yearItems with data for both
€6,388€4,282
€2,106less in Rio Maior
1 Property tax estimated using a taxable value (VPT) of 50% of market price. Enter the VPT from your property record for an exact figure.
Average rate on new housing loans: 3.00% (August 2026, Banco de Portugal).
Source: Portal das Finanças, taxas de IMI por município · 2025 · Source: Portal das Finanças, participação dos municípios no IRS · 2026 · Source: INE · 2nd quarter of 2026 · Energy: ERSE, October 2026
Beyond the cost
Mortgage payment ÷ 1 × local median gross salary
41%25%
16%better in Rio Maior
House price rise over 5 yearsMedian sale price (€/m²), over 5 years
+108%+74%
34 pointsrose more in Caldas da Rainha
Crime rateRecorded crimes per 1 000 residents
25.1/100025.6/1000
0.5/1000better in Caldas da Rainha
Average commuteOne way to work or school
17 min17 min
same in both
Average salary (gross)Average monthly earnings, by place of work
€1,343/month€1,331/month
€12/monthbetter in Caldas da Rainha
Median salary (gross)Half of workers earn less than this, by place of work
€1,106/month€1,121/month
€15/monthbetter in Rio Maior
Purchasing power (Portugal = 100)Per-capita index
99.888.2
11.6better in Caldas da Rainha
PharmaciesPer 1,000 people
0.30/10000.20/1000
0.10/1000better in Caldas da Rainha
Nearest emergency departmentAverage straight-line distance from where residents live to the nearest hospital emergency department
4.1 km17.0 km
12.9 kmbetter in Caldas da Rainha
CrèchesPublic, non-profit (IPSS) and private crèches and childminders, children under 3 (above 100: more places than children)
