Ponta do Sol vs Santa Cruz: cost of living compared
versus
Yearly saving in Ponta do Sol
€2,886/year
For a single person buying a home, Ponta do Sol works out cheaper. A home in Ponta do Sol costs €65,160 less.
You will
Household
Transport
60 m²
More adjustments
Ponta do SolSanta Cruz
Estimated home price · 60 m²€106,020Δ €65,160€171,180
On the day you buy
Down payment€10,602€17,118
Transfer tax (IMT)€0€765
Stamp duty · purchase€848€1,369
Stamp duty · loan€573€924
Total upfront€12,023€20,177
Monthly payment€367€593
Mortgage payments35 years at 3.00% · 90% financed
€4,407€7,115
€2,708less in Ponta do Sol
Property tax (IMI)1VPT estimated at 50% of price
€159€257
€98less in Ponta do Sol
Water, sewage and wasteOfficial tariffs · 4 m³/month
no data
ElectricityERSE regulated tariff · 1,469 kWh/year
€377€377
same in both
GasNatural gas, regulated tariff
no data
Income tax refunded by the municipalityPonta do Sol gives back the 5%, Santa Cruz gives back 1%
€100€20
€80less in Ponta do Sol
Total per yearItems with data for both
€4,843€7,729
€2,886less in Ponta do Sol
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
35%54%
19%better in Ponta do Sol
House price rise over 5 yearsMedian sale price (€/m²), over 5 years
+73%+126%
53 pointsrose more in Santa Cruz
Crime rateRecorded crimes per 1 000 residents
15.6/100016.6/1000
1.0/1000better in Ponta do Sol
Average commuteOne way to work or school
18 min19 min
1 minbetter in Ponta do Sol
Average salary (gross)Average monthly earnings, by place of work
€1,146/month€1,343/month
€197/monthbetter in Santa Cruz
Median salary (gross)Half of workers earn less than this, by place of work
€1,039/month€1,095/month
€56/monthbetter in Santa Cruz
Purchasing power (Portugal = 100)Per-capita index
62.576.9
14.4better in Santa Cruz
PharmaciesPer 1,000 people
0.20/10000.20/1000
same in both
Nearest emergency departmentAverage straight-line distance from where residents live to the nearest hospital emergency department
7.6 km7.0 km
0.6 kmbetter in Santa Cruz
CrèchesPublic, non-profit (IPSS) and private crèches and childminders, children under 3 (above 100: more places than children)
