Cost of Living Comparison Between Benghazi and Ajdabiya Cost of Living Comparison Between Benghazi and Ajdabiya

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $439 in Benghazi versus $121 in Ajdabiya.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $719 in Benghazi versus $199 in Ajdabiya.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $999 in Benghazi versus $277 in Ajdabiya.

Living in Benghazi is roughly 264% more expensive than in Ajdabiya, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.

Both cities sit below the global median: Benghazi 67% lower, Ajdabiya 91% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.76 LYD 17.61

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$14.78 LYD 94.2

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$2.68 LYD 17.10

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$0.57 LYD 3.61

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.38 LYD 2.45

Cappuccino

$0.68 LYD 4.35

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.41 LYD 2.60

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.16 LYD 1.02

Milk (1 liter)

$0.82 LYD 5.23

White Bread (500g)

$0.21 LYD 1.33

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.69 LYD 4.41

Eggs

$1.27 LYD 8.12

Local Cheese (1kg)

$6.06 LYD 38.63

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.75 LYD 23.88

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.64 LYD 55.1

$8.40 LYD 53.5

2.86%

Apples (1kg)

$1.35 LYD 8.61

$1.51 LYD 9.62

-10.60%

Banana (1kg)

$1.19 LYD 7.55

$1.08 LYD 6.89

10.19%

Oranges (1kg)

$0.71 LYD 4.53

$0.76 LYD 4.86

-6.58%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.49 LYD 3.13

$0.48 LYD 3.06

2.08%

Potato (1kg)

$0.52 LYD 3.30

$0.48 LYD 3.05

8.33%

Onion (1kg)

$0.47 LYD 3.01

$0.45 LYD 2.85

4.44%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.29 LYD 1.86

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.20 LYD 1.27

$0.18 LYD 1.15

11.11%

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$2.40 LYD 15.30

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.69 LYD 4.43

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.69 LYD 4.40

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.80 LYD 17.82

$1.78 LYD 11.34

57.30%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.90 LYD 5.71

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$9.22 LYD 58.7

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.96 LYD 6.10

$0.89 LYD 5.69

7.87%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.53 LYD 9.77

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$4.03 LYD 25.70

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.03 LYD 0.21

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$16.4K LYD 104.7K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$15.0K LYD 95.4K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$14.24 LYD 90.8

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$7.06 LYD 44.98

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$34.20 LYD 218

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$19.18 LYD 122

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$10.46 LYD 66.7

Cinema Ticket

$4.66 LYD 29.73

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$61.8 LYD 394

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$864 LYD 5,509

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$27.58 LYD 176

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$29.58 LYD 189

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$49.88 LYD 318

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$61.1 LYD 390

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$192 LYD 1,222

$126 LYD 803

52.23%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$115 LYD 734

$72.8 LYD 464

58.17%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$368 LYD 2,344

$273 LYD 1,739

34.84%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$228 LYD 1,456

$147 LYD 937

55.41%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$264 LYD 1,683

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update for Benghazi: July 26, 2026

Last update for Ajdabiya: July 27, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $192 in Benghazi and $126 in Ajdabiya. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

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

Benghazi vs Ajdabiya: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Ajdabiya wins on cost – living expenses run 264% lower than in Benghazi. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Ajdabiya the obvious pick if budget is a priority.

You'd need roughly $659 in Benghazi and $181 in Ajdabiya to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.

Rent for a central apartment: $192 in Benghazi versus $126 in Ajdabiya. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.

Supermarket bills run roughly 116% higher in Benghazi. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.

All in, you'll spend $439 per month in Benghazi versus $121 in Ajdabiya – a 264% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

Either city works on $800 a month, though Ajdabiya gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.

Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.

Expats usually find Ajdabiya gentler on the wallet – expenses run 264% less than in Benghazi. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.