🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,682 in Beirut versus $1,876 in Benalmadena.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,685 in Beirut versus $2,838 in Benalmadena.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,688 in Beirut versus $3,799 in Benalmadena.
🌍Living in Beirut costs roughly 10% less than in Benalmadena, driven mainly by Getting Around.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Beirut22% above, Benalmadena37% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Beirut
Benalmadena
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.10LBP 1.1M
$15.14€13.06
-20.08%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$64.8LBP 5.8M
$68.9€59.4
-5.95%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.83LBP 879.6K
$9.91€8.55
-0.81%
Cappuccino
$4.77LBP 426.8K
$2.38€2.05
100.42%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38LBP 212.6K
$2.23€1.93
6.73%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.83LBP 74.5K
$2.19€1.89
-62.10%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.10LBP 456.4K
$3.42€2.95
49.12%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.02LBP 449.5K
$4.75€4.10
5.68%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Beirut
Benalmadena
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.97LBP 176.0K
$1.27€1.10
55.12%
White Bread(500g)
$0.82LBP 73.8K
$1.65€1.42
-50.30%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.24LBP 200.8K
$1.91€1.65
17.28%
Eggs
$3.60LBP 321.8K
$3.58€3.09
0.56%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.60LBP 1.2M
$15.81€13.63
-13.98%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$10.73LBP 960.6K
$8.71€7.51
23.19%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$13.89LBP 1.2M
$16.32€14.08
-14.89%
Apples(1kg)
$3.15LBP 281.7K
$2.55€2.20
23.53%
Banana(1kg)
$1.72LBP 153.8K
$2.02€1.75
-14.85%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.64LBP 146.7K
$1.92€1.66
-14.58%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.48LBP 132.8K
$2.69€2.32
-44.98%
Potato(1kg)
$1.35LBP 120.9K
$1.87€1.62
-27.81%
Onion(1kg)
$1.65LBP 148.1K
$2.20€1.90
-25.00%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.16LBP 103.7K
$1.52€1.31
-23.68%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.69LBP 62.2K
$0.76€0.66
-9.21%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.03LBP 271.1K
$7.05€6.08
-57.02%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.18LBP 911.1K
$6.39€5.51
59.31%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.27LBP 113.9K
$1.17€1.01
8.55%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.59LBP 231.4K
$2.07€1.79
25.12%
🚌 Getting Around
Beirut
Benalmadena
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.24LBP 200.4K
$2.07€1.78
8.21%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$78.1LBP 7.0M
$11.80€10.18
561.61%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.98LBP 445.6K
$1.97€1.70
152.79%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.24LBP 200.1K
$1.21€1.04
85.12%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$22.48LBP 2.0M
$22.95€19.80
-2.05%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.00LBP 89.8K
$1.81€1.56
-44.75%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$52.7KLBP 4.7B
$36.7K€31.7K
43.41%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.8KLBP 2.9B
$30.2K€26.1K
8.51%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Beirut
Benalmadena
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$226LBP 20.2M
$147€127
53.20%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$23.30LBP 2.1M
$13.79€11.90
68.96%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$37.27LBP 3.3M
$33.30€28.72
11.92%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Beirut
Benalmadena
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$82.7LBP 7.4M
$49.93€43.06
65.57%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$33.94LBP 3.0M
$16.13€13.91
110.42%
Cinema Ticket
$9.99LBP 894.0K
$8.02€6.91
24.56%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Beirut
Benalmadena
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$675LBP 60.4M
$592€511
13.91%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$10.6KLBP 945.1M
$9,838€8,485
7.33%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Beirut
Benalmadena
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$67.9LBP 6.1M
$92.0€79.3
-26.20%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$50.2LBP 4.5M
$39.94€34.45
25.71%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$135LBP 12.1M
$98.6€85.1
37.28%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$121LBP 10.8M
$118€102
2.97%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Beirut
Benalmadena
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$943LBP 84.4M
$994€857
-5.07%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$503LBP 45.0M
$927€799
-45.72%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,169LBP 194.1M
$1,798€1,551
20.63%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,081LBP 96.7M
$1,511€1,303
-28.46%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,995LBP 357.5M
$4,400€3,795
-9.20%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,813LBP 162.3M
$3,703€3,194
-51.04%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Beirut
Benalmadena
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$735LBP 65.8M
$4,083€3,522
-81.99%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11
3.31
232.33%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Beirut: August 30, 2026
Last update for Benalmadena: August 30, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $943 in Beirut and $994 in Benalmadena. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Benalmadena pays 455% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $65.0 in Beirut vs $69.0 in Benalmadena for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $280 vs $285 per month, with Beirut cheaper across the board.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Beirut vs Benalmadena: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Benalmadena cheaper than Beirut?
Beirut is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets. The 12% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Beirut or Benalmadena?
On paper, salaries run 455% lower in Benalmadena. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
What is the rent difference between Beirut and Benalmadena?
Rent for a central apartment: $943 in Beirut versus $994 in Benalmadena. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What are total monthly expenses in Beirut and in Benalmadena?
All in, you'll spend $1,682 per month in Beirut versus $1,876 in Benalmadena – a 12% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city has cheaper public transport?
A monthly transit pass in Beirut runs roughly 562% less than in Benalmadena. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Is $2,500 a realistic budget for living in Beirut or in Benalmadena?
At $1,682 in Beirut versus $1,876 in Benalmadena, a $2,500 budget is realistic in Beirut but tight or insufficient in Benalmadena. The gap between the two cities makes Beirut the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Beirut or Benalmadena more family-friendly?
For families, Beirut is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Benalmadena, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Beirut or Benalmadena?
Safety-wise, Beirut and Benalmadena are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Beirut gentler on the wallet – expenses run 12% less than in Benalmadena. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.