For one person, living costs in Benghazi are estimated at $423 a month, including rent and utilities – 21% below the national average. Rent and utilities take about a third of the total.
Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Benghazi actually costs, broken down by who's living it.
A single person spends around $423 per month with rent, or $305 for everyday expenses alone.
$423 /mo
A couple spends around $711 per month with rent, or $524 for everyday expenses alone.
$711 /mo
A family of three spends around $999 per month with rent, or $742 without housing.
$999 /mo
📊
Overall, Benghazi is 65–69% below the global median across household types. Within Africa, costs are well below average (53% lower) – one of the most affordable options in the region.
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$12.5KLYD 80.2K
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$15.0KLYD 96.4K
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.31LYD 27.63
$2.28LYD 14.60
$5.32LYD 34.09
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$18.43LYD 118
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$17.62LYD 113
$5.52LYD 35.36
$39.45LYD 253
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$3.94LYD 25.25
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.19LYD 39.67
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$76.9LYD 493
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$353LYD 2,265
$236LYD 1,510
$471LYD 3,020
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$42.70LYD 274
$25.31LYD 162
$60.1LYD 385
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$35.20LYD 226
$31.28LYD 200
$39.11LYD 251
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$42.47LYD 272
$38.60LYD 247
$46.33LYD 297
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$69.2LYD 443
$28.29LYD 181
$110LYD 705
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$184LYD 1,179
$153LYD 982
$215LYD 1,375
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$118LYD 755
$78.5LYD 503
$157LYD 1,006
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$429LYD 2,750
$312LYD 2,000
$546LYD 3,501
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$256LYD 1,643
$233LYD 1,494
$280LYD 1,792
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$267LYD 1,708
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update: October 12, 2026
Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Share of the monthly basket for a family of three, rent included.
Benghazi$423
Benghazi$999
🛒Groceries & Markets
$127 30%
🏠Accommodation & Living
$118 27.9%
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
$85 20.2%
🍽Eating Out
$37 8.7%
🎉Sport & Entertainment
$30 7.1%
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
$23 * 5.4%
🚌Getting Around
$3.2 * 0.8%
Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.
🛒Groceries & Markets
$317 31.8%
🏠Accommodation & Living
$256 25.7%
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
$190 19%
🍽Eating Out
$138 13.8%
🎉Sport & Entertainment
$64 6.4%
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
$27 * 2.7%
🚌Getting Around
$6.4 * 0.6%
Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the city center costs around $184, dropping to $118 outside central areas. Housing accounts for roughly 69% of the average salary ($267) – well above the 30% international benchmark.
💰The average net salary is $267 – below monthly costs of $423. Most locals rely on shared housing or dual incomes. Remote workers earning abroad will find stronger purchasing power.
🛒Groceries cost around $127 per month for one person. A mid-range dinner for two is priced at $13.00 – well below the African average of $41.00.
Cost Highlights
⭐Benghazi has the 2nd cheapest gasoline worldwide
⭐Benghazi has the 10th cheapest fast food meal in Africa
⭐Chicken fillets is cheaper than 97% of cities in Africa
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 $423, 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 69% 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, $634 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?
A central one-bedroom apartment in Benghazi runs about $184 per month. Move further out and that drops to around $118. Location makes a big difference here – and furnished places or short-term rentals will cost more on top of these figures.
What is a typical monthly grocery bill in Benghazi?
Food in Benghazi is genuinely cheap. A single person's grocery bill runs about $127 per month, and local markets and street vendors push costs even lower. Cooking at home is easy and affordable, and eating out at local spots won't break the bank either.
What is a typical monthly food budget in Benghazi?
Groceries in Benghazi are cheap – a single person spends about $127 per month. Local markets and budget supermarkets push costs even lower. Food is one of the city's strongest affordability points.
Does $1,200 cover living expenses in Benghazi?
$1,200 a month in Benghazi? Very doable. Average costs with rent come to just $423, 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 $423 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 $423 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 $423 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.