Cost of Living in Benghazi - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends around $424 per month with rent, or $318 for everyday expenses alone.

A couple spends around $722 per month with rent, or $551 for everyday expenses alone.

A family of three spends around $1,021 per month with rent, or $784 without housing.

Overall, Benghazi is 65–69% below the global median across household types. Within Africa, costs are well below average (55% lower) – one of the most affordable options in the region.

Currency
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.42 LYD 15.32
$1.56 LYD 9.86
$4.68 LYD 29.64
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$12.52 LYD 79.3
$7.82 LYD 49.57
$18.78 LYD 119
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$2.37 LYD 15.02
$2.37 LYD 15.02
$2.37 LYD 15.02
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.16 LYD 13.68
$0.31 LYD 1.99
$3.99 LYD 25.31
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.41 LYD 2.57
$0.32 LYD 2.05
$0.49 LYD 3.10
Cappuccino
$0.64 LYD 4.08
$0.53 LYD 3.35
$0.76 LYD 4.80
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.44 LYD 2.78
$0.30 LYD 1.91
$1.07 LYD 6.78
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.13 LYD 0.83
$0.09 LYD 0.60
$0.74 LYD 4.71
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$0.82 LYD 5.22
$0.66 LYD 4.16
$0.98 LYD 6.21
White Bread (500g)
$0.19 LYD 1.20
$0.09 LYD 0.57
$0.35 LYD 2.19
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.35 LYD 8.55
$0.61 LYD 3.88
$2.14 LYD 13.53
Eggs
$1.66 LYD 10.49
$1.10 LYD 6.97
$2.21 LYD 14.01
Local Cheese (1kg)
$6.33 LYD 40.14
$4.89 LYD 31.01
$7.77 LYD 49.20
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$2.74 LYD 17.35
$2.35 LYD 14.89
$3.14 LYD 19.87
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$11.59 LYD 73.4
$7.99 LYD 50.6
$15.19 LYD 96.2
Apples (1kg)
$2.27 LYD 14.40
$1.07 LYD 6.77
$3.06 LYD 19.38
Banana (1kg)
$1.73 LYD 10.95
$1.22 LYD 7.75
$2.14 LYD 13.53
Oranges (1kg)
$1.15 LYD 7.26
$0.53 LYD 3.39
$1.82 LYD 11.51
Tomato (1kg)
$0.75 LYD 4.77
$0.40 LYD 2.55
$0.82 LYD 5.17
Potato (1kg)
$0.86 LYD 5.48
$0.48 LYD 3.06
$1.47 LYD 9.32
Onion (1kg)
$0.65 LYD 4.13
$0.65 LYD 4.13
$0.65 LYD 4.13
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.34 LYD 2.17
$0.14 LYD 0.90
$0.45 LYD 2.83
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.23 LYD 1.46
$0.13 LYD 0.80
$0.33 LYD 2.06
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)
$2.39 LYD 15.13
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.53 LYD 3.34
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.82 LYD 5.18
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$1.91 LYD 12.09
$1.59 LYD 10.04
$2.22 LYD 14.08
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.60 LYD 10.11
-
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.30 LYD 1.88
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.02 LYD 0.11
$0.02 LYD 0.11
$0.02 LYD 0.11
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$12.8K LYD 81.1K
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$14.9K LYD 94.7K
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.55 LYD 28.85
$2.41 LYD 15.26
$5.62 LYD 35.64
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$19.14 LYD 121
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$17.52 LYD 111
$5.49 LYD 34.79
$39.22 LYD 249
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$3.96 LYD 25.08
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.42 LYD 40.68
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$77.3 LYD 490
-
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$358 LYD 2,270
$239 LYD 1,513
$478 LYD 3,027
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$42.91 LYD 272
$25.44 LYD 161
$60.4 LYD 383
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$34.87 LYD 221
$31.00 LYD 196
$38.75 LYD 246
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$44.06 LYD 279
$40.06 LYD 254
$48.07 LYD 305
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$68.2 LYD 432
$27.89 LYD 177
$108 LYD 687
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$192 LYD 1,214
$160 LYD 1,012
$224 LYD 1,416
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$120 LYD 760
$80.0 LYD 507
$160 LYD 1,014
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$429 LYD 2,720
$312 LYD 1,978
$546 LYD 3,461
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$259 LYD 1,641
$236 LYD 1,492
$283 LYD 1,791
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$267 LYD 1,693
-

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

Last update: August 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the city center costs around $192, dropping to $120 outside central areas. Housing accounts for roughly 72% of the average salary ($267) – well above the 30% international benchmark.

The average net salary is $267 – below monthly costs of $424. Most locals rely on shared housing or dual incomes. Remote workers earning abroad will find stronger purchasing power.

Groceries cost around $128 per month for one person. A mid-range dinner for two is priced at $13.00 – well below the African average of $42.00.

Cost Highlights

Benghazi has the 2nd cheapest gasoline worldwide

Benghazi has the 8th cheapest fast food meal in Africa

Chicken fillets is cheaper than 98% 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 $424, 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 72% 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, $636 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 $192 per month. Move further out and that drops to around $120. 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 $128 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 $128 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 $424, 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 $424 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 $424 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 $424 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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