Cost of Living in Benghazi - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends around $440 per month with rent, or $275 for everyday expenses alone.

A couple spends around $713 per month with rent, or $561 for everyday expenses alone.

A family of three spends around $986 per month with rent, or $847 without housing.

Overall, Benghazi is about 67% below the global median. Within Africa, costs are well below average (57% lower) – one of the most affordable options in the region.

Currency
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.73 LYD 17.19
$1.82 LYD 11.44
$3.64 LYD 22.94
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$14.91 LYD 93.9
$11.18 LYD 70.5
$14.91 LYD 93.9
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$2.73 LYD 17.21
$1.82 LYD 11.45
$2.73 LYD 17.21
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$0.53 LYD 3.35
$0.36 LYD 2.25
$0.53 LYD 3.35
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.36 LYD 2.25
$0.36 LYD 2.25
$0.53 LYD 3.34
Cappuccino
$0.69 LYD 4.35
$0.58 LYD 3.63
$0.96 LYD 6.07
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.43 LYD 2.73
$0.38 LYD 2.40
$0.57 LYD 3.57
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.12 LYD 0.77
$0.08 LYD 0.49
$0.16 LYD 0.98
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$0.87 LYD 5.50
$0.70 LYD 4.41
$1.03 LYD 6.46
White Bread (500g)
$0.21 LYD 1.32
$0.10 LYD 0.66
$0.52 LYD 3.30
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.66 LYD 4.13
$0.54 LYD 3.39
$0.90 LYD 5.68
Eggs
$1.32 LYD 8.33
$1.13 LYD 7.11
$1.54 LYD 9.69
Local Cheese (1kg)
$6.26 LYD 39.41
$2.79 LYD 17.59
$8.12 LYD 51.2
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.62 LYD 22.80
$1.80 LYD 11.34
$4.92 LYD 30.97
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$8.32 LYD 52.4
$6.35 LYD 40.01
$10.89 LYD 68.6
Apples (1kg)
$1.35 LYD 8.53
$0.98 LYD 6.18
$1.80 LYD 11.31
Banana (1kg)
$1.14 LYD 7.19
$1.08 LYD 6.81
$2.16 LYD 13.63
Oranges (1kg)
$0.72 LYD 4.54
$0.51 LYD 3.24
$1.93 LYD 12.13
Tomato (1kg)
$0.49 LYD 3.08
$0.29 LYD 1.81
$0.74 LYD 4.66
Potato (1kg)
$0.52 LYD 3.29
$0.31 LYD 1.97
$0.76 LYD 4.80
Onion (1kg)
$0.47 LYD 2.99
$0.38 LYD 2.41
$0.57 LYD 3.58
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.29 LYD 1.83
$0.16 LYD 0.98
$0.57 LYD 3.59
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.20 LYD 1.26
$0.17 LYD 1.08
$0.27 LYD 1.68
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.70 LYD 4.40
$0.38 LYD 2.40
$0.82 LYD 5.18
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.66 LYD 4.16
$0.36 LYD 2.26
$0.97 LYD 6.11
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.81 LYD 17.71
$1.87 LYD 11.79
$3.75 LYD 23.64
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.90 LYD 5.70
$0.90 LYD 5.70
$0.90 LYD 5.70
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$9.36 LYD 59.0
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.93 LYD 5.88
$0.56 LYD 3.51
$1.86 LYD 11.69
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.49 LYD 9.40
$1.00 LYD 6.31
$2.01 LYD 12.68
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$3.91 LYD 24.63
$1.79 LYD 11.27
$5.38 LYD 33.87
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.03 LYD 0.19
$0.03 LYD 0.19
$0.03 LYD 0.19
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$16.7K LYD 105.4K
$10.1K LYD 63.8K
$20.4K LYD 128.8K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$15.1K LYD 95.0K
$13.9K LYD 87.4K
$18.5K LYD 116.6K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$14.18 LYD 89.3
$10.05 LYD 63.3
$18.31 LYD 115
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$7.18 LYD 45.26
$4.54 LYD 28.58
$9.06 LYD 57.1
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$33.70 LYD 212
$10.02 LYD 63.1
$54.6 LYD 344
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$19.16 LYD 121
$9.18 LYD 57.8
$36.73 LYD 231
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$10.31 LYD 65.0
$3.63 LYD 22.88
$10.31 LYD 65.0
Cinema Ticket
$4.55 LYD 28.68
$3.64 LYD 22.93
$5.45 LYD 34.36
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$62.2 LYD 392
$46.63 LYD 294
$93.3 LYD 588
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$857 LYD 5,399
$551 LYD 3,471
$1,102 LYD 6,942
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$27.93 LYD 176
$12.09 LYD 76.2
$35.47 LYD 223
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$29.49 LYD 186
$14.83 LYD 93.4
$64.9 LYD 409
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$49.04 LYD 309
$13.78 LYD 86.8
$64.3 LYD 405
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$63.0 LYD 397
$15.79 LYD 99.5
$111 LYD 702
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$191 LYD 1,203
$146 LYD 918
$255 LYD 1,607
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$116 LYD 733
$91.4 LYD 576
$183 LYD 1,151
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$370 LYD 2,334
$274 LYD 1,725
$456 LYD 2,874
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$231 LYD 1,454
$185 LYD 1,168
$278 LYD 1,752
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$142 LYD 893
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
25
-

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: May 11, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the city center costs around $191, dropping to $116 outside central areas. Housing accounts for roughly 135% of the average salary ($142) – well above the 30% international benchmark.

The average net salary is $142 – below monthly costs of $440. Most locals rely on shared housing or dual incomes. Remote workers earning abroad will find stronger purchasing power.

Groceries cost around $106 per month for one person. A mid-range dinner for two is priced at $15.00 – well below the African average of $42.00.

A monthly public transport pass costs about $9.36 – among the cheapest in Africa (average $29.00).

Cost Highlights

Gasoline is among the 20 cheapest worldwide (out of 7,542 cities)

Fast food meal is cheaper than 97% of cities in Africa

Rice is cheaper than 96% of cities in Africa

Benghazi Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms

Fixed Broadband

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
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Cost of Living in Benghazi - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Benghazi generally affordable for travelers, expats, and digital nomads, and who tends to find value there?
Overall, for travelers, expats, and digital nomads, Cost of Living in Benghazi tends to be approachable when you lean on local options, modest housing, and everyday dining rather than international brands. You’ll find value in smaller neighborhoods, walkable cores, and flexible work arrangements. Expenses vary with service reliability and safety considerations, but you can balance comfort by prioritizing essentials over luxuries. Quick wins come from shopping at local markets, negotiating longer-term housing, and using public transport or shared rides rather than frequent taxis. Tip: Start with short stays in a few districts to test what fits your routine.
What does daily life look like in Benghazi for housing, food, transport, and errands?
Housing search leans on local agents, short-term rentals, and word-of-mouth; target a few well-connected areas and book a test month to compare utilities and noise levels. Food options span markets, bakeries, and simple eateries; buying fresh produce and staples from neighborhood shops can stretch your budget without sacrificing variety. For transport, taxis and ride-hailing are common; consider a small scooter or bicycle if your area is bike-friendly and safe. Co-working spaces exist around the city center and near universities, along with cafes that offer Wi‑Fi. Benghazi living cost can shift with seasons and neighborhood choices, so track your actual spend for a realistic plan. Tip: Start with a flexible budget and adjust as you learn the lay of the land.
What budgeting strategies and neighborhood choices help maintain quality of life in Benghazi?
Quality of life in Benghazi depends on choosing neighborhoods that fit your pace and your work style. Build a practical budgeting framework: set a monthly target for essentials, track spending on food, transport, and housing, and adjust as you test neighborhoods. Save by cooking at home, using local markets, and choosing longer rental terms for stability. Seasonality affects energy use and service availability, so plan for occasional power or water interruptions and align travel or coworking with quieter periods. Tip: map three 'must-have' neighborhoods and two backup options, then rotate between them to stay flexible.
Is Benghazi a cheap city to live in for foreigners?
By most standards, Benghazi is a budget-friendly place to live. Total monthly costs with rent usually land around $440, and both housing and daily expenses fall below global averages. It's a solid pick for remote workers, long-term travelers, or anyone watching their spending.
Is rent in Benghazi too high relative to local incomes?
Housing in Benghazi takes a heavy bite – about 135% of a typical income, which is above the 30% international benchmark. That squeezes the budget for everything else and is one of the main pain points for residents here.
What income level supports a comfortable lifestyle in Benghazi?
In Benghazi, $660 per month is what most people would call a good salary. It handles rent, food, and utilities with enough left for savings and the occasional splurge. Above that, you unlock better apartments and more freedom with spending.
How much does a one-bedroom apartment cost to rent in Benghazi?
In Benghazi's center, a one-bedroom apartment runs about $191 per month. Move further out and that drops to around $116. Location makes a big difference here – and furnished places or short-term rentals will cost more on top of these figures.
How expensive is preschool in Benghazi per month?
Private kindergarten in Benghazi costs about $62.2 per month – a big number for families. Prices vary by curriculum and whether you go local or international. Public options are cheaper where they exist, but waitlists can be long.
How much is a monthly gym pass in Benghazi?
A gym membership in Benghazi runs about $19.16 per month – affordable by regional standards. Most gyms include basic equipment, group classes, and locker rooms. Boutique studios and personal training cost more, but the baseline is budget-friendly.
Does $2,000 cover living expenses in Benghazi?
$2,000 a month in Benghazi? Very doable. Average costs with rent come to just $440, which leaves real room to save, eat out, and enjoy the city without watching every dollar.
Why do remote workers choose Benghazi?
Digital nomads flock to Benghazi for good reason: coastal lifestyle, beach access, café culture. Monthly costs land around $440 depending on your setup – strong value for the connectivity and quality of life you get. Coworking spaces and nomad-friendly cafés round out the appeal.
Is Benghazi budget-friendly for long-term stays?
Benghazi is affordable by most measures, which is why it appeals to long-term travelers, remote workers, and budget-conscious residents. At $440 per month with rent, it sits well below the global average for cities of similar size.
How much does a backpacker need per day in Benghazi?
Benghazi is great for backpackers. All-in costs average just $440 monthly, and even short-term visitors on tight budgets can stretch their money. Cheap hostels, affordable street food, budget transport, and free attractions make it easy to explore without overspending.

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