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: $445 in Benghazi versus $125 in Ajdabiya.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $708 in Benghazi versus $197 in Ajdabiya.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $972 in Benghazi versus $269 in Ajdabiya.

Living in Benghazi is roughly 256% more expensive than Ajdabiya, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.

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

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.77 LYD 17.64

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$14.49 LYD 92.2

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$2.78 LYD 17.70

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$0.58 LYD 3.66

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.38 LYD 2.43

Cappuccino

$0.64 LYD 4.04

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

$0.44 LYD 2.80

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.12 LYD 0.76

Milk (1 liter)

$0.90 LYD 5.70

White Bread (500g)

$0.21 LYD 1.33

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.69 LYD 4.38

Eggs

$1.32 LYD 8.40

Local Cheese (1kg)

$6.15 LYD 39.10

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.61 LYD 22.93

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.49 LYD 54.0

$8.27 LYD 52.6

2.66%

Apples (1kg)

$1.35 LYD 8.60

$1.44 LYD 9.18

-6.25%

Banana (1kg)

$1.19 LYD 7.57

$1.08 LYD 6.89

10.19%

Oranges (1kg)

$0.69 LYD 4.38

$0.74 LYD 4.72

-6.76%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.52 LYD 3.32

$0.45 LYD 2.85

15.56%

Potato (1kg)

$0.52 LYD 3.31

$0.48 LYD 3.06

8.33%

Onion (1kg)

$0.47 LYD 3.02

$0.44 LYD 2.79

6.82%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.27 LYD 1.70

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.20 LYD 1.27

$0.19 LYD 1.22

5.26%

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$2.32 LYD 14.78

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.70 LYD 4.45

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.70 LYD 4.42

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.77 LYD 17.61

$1.85 LYD 11.77

49.73%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.96 LYD 6.09

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$9.21 LYD 58.6

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.95 LYD 6.06

$0.94 LYD 6.00

1.06%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.57 LYD 9.95

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$4.10 LYD 26.08

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.03 LYD 0.22

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

$16.2K LYD 103.1K

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

$15.1K LYD 96.1K

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

$13.96 LYD 88.8

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

$7.37 LYD 46.84

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$33.75 LYD 215

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$19.20 LYD 122

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$10.24 LYD 65.1

Cinema Ticket

$4.56 LYD 28.99

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

$60.1 LYD 382

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$872 LYD 5,546

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$27.78 LYD 177

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$29.74 LYD 189

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$49.67 LYD 316

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$61.2 LYD 389

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$189 LYD 1,200

$126 LYD 802

49.60%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$116 LYD 735

$73.6 LYD 468

56.94%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$371 LYD 2,358

$270 LYD 1,717

37.34%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$224 LYD 1,425

$148 LYD 942

51.24%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$269 LYD 1,714

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update for Benghazi: June 15, 2026

Last update for Ajdabiya: June 14, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $189 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 256% 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 $668 in Benghazi and $188 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: $189 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 120% higher in Benghazi. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.

All in, you'll spend $445 per month in Benghazi versus $125 in Ajdabiya – a 256% 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 256% less than in Benghazi. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.