Cost of Living in Benghazi - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends around $439 per month with rent, or $332 for everyday expenses alone.

A couple spends around $706 per month with rent, or $504 for everyday expenses alone.

A family of three spends around $973 per month with rent, or $676 without housing.

Overall, Benghazi is about 67% below the global median. Within Africa, costs are well below average (56% lower) – one of the most affordable options in the region.

Currency
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.69 LYD 17.15
$1.79 LYD 11.41
$3.59 LYD 22.89
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$14.71 LYD 93.7
$11.03 LYD 70.3
$14.71 LYD 93.7
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$2.71 LYD 17.28
$1.80 LYD 11.50
$2.71 LYD 17.28
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$0.53 LYD 3.37
$0.36 LYD 2.27
$0.53 LYD 3.37
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.35 LYD 2.26
$0.35 LYD 2.26
$0.53 LYD 3.36
Cappuccino
$0.68 LYD 4.31
$0.56 LYD 3.59
$0.94 LYD 6.01
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.40 LYD 2.57
$0.36 LYD 2.27
$0.53 LYD 3.37
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.15 LYD 0.96
$0.10 LYD 0.62
$0.19 LYD 1.24
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$0.90 LYD 5.72
$0.72 LYD 4.59
$1.06 LYD 6.72
White Bread (500g)
$0.23 LYD 1.47
$0.12 LYD 0.73
$0.58 LYD 3.67
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.66 LYD 4.17
$0.54 LYD 3.43
$0.90 LYD 5.73
Eggs
$1.32 LYD 8.41
$1.13 LYD 7.17
$1.53 LYD 9.78
Local Cheese (1kg)
$6.14 LYD 39.13
$2.74 LYD 17.47
$7.98 LYD 50.8
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.71 LYD 23.64
$1.85 LYD 11.76
$5.04 LYD 32.13
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$8.63 LYD 55.0
$6.59 LYD 41.97
$11.30 LYD 72.0
Apples (1kg)
$1.42 LYD 9.05
$1.03 LYD 6.56
$1.88 LYD 12.01
Banana (1kg)
$1.18 LYD 7.54
$1.12 LYD 7.15
$2.25 LYD 14.30
Oranges (1kg)
$0.68 LYD 4.34
$0.49 LYD 3.10
$1.82 LYD 11.59
Tomato (1kg)
$0.49 LYD 3.11
$0.29 LYD 1.83
$0.74 LYD 4.69
Potato (1kg)
$0.49 LYD 3.09
$0.29 LYD 1.86
$0.71 LYD 4.52
Onion (1kg)
$0.44 LYD 2.83
$0.36 LYD 2.28
$0.53 LYD 3.38
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.27 LYD 1.72
$0.14 LYD 0.92
$0.53 LYD 3.37
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.22 LYD 1.40
$0.19 LYD 1.20
$0.29 LYD 1.87
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)
$2.33 LYD 14.83
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.71 LYD 4.54
$0.39 LYD 2.47
$0.84 LYD 5.35
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.67 LYD 4.27
$0.36 LYD 2.32
$0.98 LYD 6.27
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.79 LYD 17.80
$1.86 LYD 11.84
$3.73 LYD 23.75
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.94 LYD 5.96
$0.94 LYD 5.96
$0.94 LYD 5.96
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$9.20 LYD 58.6
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.91 LYD 5.77
$0.54 LYD 3.45
$1.80 LYD 11.49
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.48 LYD 9.43
$0.99 LYD 6.33
$2.00 LYD 12.72
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$3.91 LYD 24.89
$1.79 LYD 11.38
$5.37 LYD 34.22
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.03 LYD 0.21
$0.03 LYD 0.21
$0.03 LYD 0.21
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$16.4K LYD 104.8K
$9,959 LYD 63.4K
$20.1K LYD 128.1K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$14.8K LYD 94.1K
$13.6K LYD 86.7K
$18.1K LYD 115.6K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$14.44 LYD 92.0
$10.23 LYD 65.2
$18.64 LYD 119
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$7.16 LYD 45.60
$4.52 LYD 28.79
$9.03 LYD 57.5
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$33.89 LYD 216
$10.07 LYD 64.2
$55.0 LYD 350
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$19.05 LYD 121
$9.13 LYD 58.2
$36.53 LYD 233
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$10.56 LYD 67.3
$3.72 LYD 23.69
$10.56 LYD 67.3
Cinema Ticket
$4.71 LYD 29.98
$3.76 LYD 23.97
$5.64 LYD 35.93
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$60.0 LYD 382
$44.97 LYD 286
$89.9 LYD 573
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$869 LYD 5,534
$558 LYD 3,558
$1,117 LYD 7,115
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$27.57 LYD 176
$11.94 LYD 76.0
$35.02 LYD 223
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$28.98 LYD 185
$14.57 LYD 92.8
$63.8 LYD 406
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$48.49 LYD 309
$13.62 LYD 86.8
$63.6 LYD 405
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$63.3 LYD 403
$15.87 LYD 101
$112 LYD 714
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$194 LYD 1,238
$148 LYD 944
$259 LYD 1,653
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$115 LYD 731
$90.1 LYD 574
$180 LYD 1,148
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$378 LYD 2,409
$279 LYD 1,780
$466 LYD 2,966
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$231 LYD 1,472
$186 LYD 1,182
$278 LYD 1,773
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$263 LYD 1,675
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
25
-

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

Last update: July 12, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the city center costs around $194, dropping to $115 outside central areas. Housing accounts for roughly 74% of the average salary ($263) – well above the 30% international benchmark.

The average net salary is $263 – below monthly costs of $439. Most locals rely on shared housing or dual incomes. Remote workers earning abroad will find stronger purchasing power.

Groceries cost around $108 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 $9.20 – 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

Eggs 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 $439, 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 74% 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, $659 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 $194 per month. Move further out and that drops to around $115. 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 $60.0 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 $19.05 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 $1,200 cover living expenses in Benghazi?
$1,200 a month in Benghazi? Very doable. Average costs with rent come to just $439, 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 $439 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 $439 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 $439 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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