😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,876 in Benalmadena versus $1,682 in Beirut.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,838 in Benalmadena versus $2,685 in Beirut.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,799 in Benalmadena versus $3,688 in Beirut.
🌍Living in Benalmadena is roughly 12% more expensive than in Beirut, driven mainly by Getting Around.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Benalmadena37% above, Beirut22% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Benalmadena
Beirut
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$15.14€13.06
$12.10LBP 1.1M
25.12%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$68.9€59.4
$64.8LBP 5.8M
6.33%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.91€8.55
$9.83LBP 879.6K
0.81%
Cappuccino
$2.38€2.05
$4.77LBP 426.8K
-50.10%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.23€1.93
$2.38LBP 212.6K
-6.30%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.19€1.89
$0.83LBP 74.5K
163.86%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.42€2.95
$5.10LBP 456.4K
-32.94%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.75€4.10
$5.02LBP 449.5K
-5.38%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Benalmadena
Beirut
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.27€1.10
$1.97LBP 176.0K
-35.53%
White Bread(500g)
$1.65€1.42
$0.82LBP 73.8K
101.22%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.91€1.65
$2.24LBP 200.8K
-14.73%
Eggs
$3.58€3.09
$3.60LBP 321.8K
-0.56%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$15.81€13.63
$13.60LBP 1.2M
16.25%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.71€7.51
$10.73LBP 960.6K
-18.83%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$16.32€14.08
$13.89LBP 1.2M
17.49%
Apples(1kg)
$2.55€2.20
$3.15LBP 281.7K
-19.05%
Banana(1kg)
$2.02€1.75
$1.72LBP 153.8K
17.44%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.92€1.66
$1.64LBP 146.7K
17.07%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.69€2.32
$1.48LBP 132.8K
81.76%
Potato(1kg)
$1.87€1.62
$1.35LBP 120.9K
38.52%
Onion(1kg)
$2.20€1.90
$1.65LBP 148.1K
33.33%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.52€1.31
$1.16LBP 103.7K
31.03%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.76€0.66
$0.69LBP 62.2K
10.14%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$7.05€6.08
$3.03LBP 271.1K
132.67%
Wine(Bottle)
$6.39€5.51
$10.18LBP 911.1K
-37.23%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.17€1.01
$1.27LBP 113.9K
-7.87%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.07€1.79
$2.59LBP 231.4K
-20.08%
🚌 Getting Around
Benalmadena
Beirut
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.07€1.78
$2.24LBP 200.4K
-7.59%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$11.80€10.18
$78.1LBP 7.0M
-84.89%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.97€1.70
$4.98LBP 445.6K
-60.44%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.21€1.04
$2.24LBP 200.1K
-45.98%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$22.95€19.80
$22.48LBP 2.0M
2.09%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.81€1.56
$1.00LBP 89.8K
81.00%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$36.7K€31.7K
$52.7KLBP 4.7B
-30.27%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$30.2K€26.1K
$32.8KLBP 2.9B
-7.84%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Benalmadena
Beirut
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$147€127
$226LBP 20.2M
-34.73%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.79€11.90
$23.30LBP 2.1M
-40.82%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$33.30€28.72
$37.27LBP 3.3M
-10.65%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Benalmadena
Beirut
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$49.93€43.06
$82.7LBP 7.4M
-39.60%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.13€13.91
$33.94LBP 3.0M
-52.47%
Cinema Ticket
$8.02€6.91
$9.99LBP 894.0K
-19.72%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Benalmadena
Beirut
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$592€511
$675LBP 60.4M
-12.21%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$9,838€8,485
$10.6KLBP 945.1M
-6.83%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Benalmadena
Beirut
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$92.0€79.3
$67.9LBP 6.1M
35.51%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.94€34.45
$50.2LBP 4.5M
-20.45%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$98.6€85.1
$135LBP 12.1M
-27.16%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$118€102
$121LBP 10.8M
-2.89%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Benalmadena
Beirut
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$994€857
$943LBP 84.4M
5.34%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$927€799
$503LBP 45.0M
84.23%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,798€1,551
$2,169LBP 194.1M
-17.10%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,511€1,303
$1,081LBP 96.7M
39.78%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,400€3,795
$3,995LBP 357.5M
10.14%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$3,703€3,194
$1,813LBP 162.3M
104.23%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Benalmadena
Beirut
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$4,083€3,522
$735LBP 65.8M
455.15%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.31
11
-69.91%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Benalmadena: August 30, 2026
Last update for Beirut: August 30, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $994 in Benalmadena and $943 in Beirut. 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: $69.0 in Benalmadena vs $65.0 in Beirut for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $285 vs $280 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
Benalmadena vs Beirut: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Beirut cheaper than Benalmadena?
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: Benalmadena or Beirut?
Average pay runs 455% higher in Benalmadena, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
What is the rent difference between Benalmadena and Beirut?
Rent for a central apartment: $994 in Benalmadena versus $943 in Beirut. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What are total monthly expenses in Benalmadena and in Beirut?
All in, you'll spend $1,876 per month in Benalmadena versus $1,682 in Beirut – 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 Benalmadena or in Beirut?
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 Benalmadena or Beirut 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, Benalmadena or Beirut?
Safety-wise, Benalmadena and Beirut 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.
Benalmadena vs other spots: cost of living compared