🙂A single person spends $424 per month in Benghazi vs $1,716 in Medellin, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $722 per month in Benghazi vs $2,527 in Medellin, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $1,021 per month in Benghazi vs $3,338 in Medellin, rent included.
🙂Benghazi is about 75% cheaper than Medellin, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Benghazi sits 69% below the global median, while Medellin is 25% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Benghazi
Medellin
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.42LYD 15.31
$8.03COP 25.2K
-69.86%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$12.52LYD 79.3
$48.26COP 151.7K
-74.06%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$2.37LYD 15.01
$9.77COP 30.7K
-75.74%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.16LYD 13.67
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.41LYD 2.57
-
-
Cappuccino
$0.64LYD 4.07
$2.91COP 9,149
-78.01%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.44LYD 2.77
$1.94COP 6,110
-77.32%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.13LYD 0.83
$1.52COP 4,783
-91.45%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$3.09COP 9,721
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$5.74COP 18.1K
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Benghazi
Medellin
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.82LYD 5.22
$1.36COP 4,287
-39.71%
White Bread(500g)
$0.19LYD 1.20
$2.39COP 7,505
-92.05%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.35LYD 8.54
$1.70COP 5,346
-20.59%
Eggs
$1.66LYD 10.49
$2.87COP 9,021
-42.16%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.33LYD 40.11
$9.94COP 31.2K
-36.32%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.74LYD 17.34
$10.78COP 33.9K
-74.58%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.59LYD 73.4
$14.73COP 46.3K
-21.32%
Apples(1kg)
$2.27LYD 14.39
$4.09COP 12.8K
-44.50%
Banana(1kg)
$1.73LYD 10.94
$1.57COP 4,940
10.19%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.15LYD 7.26
$2.13COP 6,682
-46.01%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.75LYD 4.77
$2.21COP 6,959
-66.06%
Potato(1kg)
$0.86LYD 5.47
$2.05COP 6,435
-58.05%
Onion(1kg)
$0.65LYD 4.13
$1.50COP 4,728
-56.67%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.34LYD 2.17
$1.19COP 3,740
-71.43%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.23LYD 1.46
$1.16COP 3,640
-80.17%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$2.39LYD 15.12
-
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.53LYD 3.34
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.82LYD 5.18
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.91LYD 12.08
$3.90COP 12.2K
-51.03%
Wine(Bottle)
-
$14.44COP 45.4K
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.58COP 4,978
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.83COP 8,889
-
🚌 Getting Around
Benghazi
Medellin
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
-
$1.17COP 3,672
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$77.7COP 244.3K
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.60LYD 10.11
$1.28COP 4,038
25.00%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.30LYD 1.88
$2.09COP 6,576
-85.65%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
-
$8.62COP 27.1K
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.02LYD 0.11
$1.30COP 4,080
-98.46%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$12.8KLYD 81.1K
$27.7KCOP 86.9M
-53.71%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$14.9KLYD 94.6K
$35.5KCOP 111.6M
-57.92%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Benghazi
Medellin
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
-
$176COP 553.4K
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.55LYD 28.83
$13.37COP 42.0K
-65.97%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$19.14LYD 121
$29.89COP 94.0K
-35.97%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Benghazi
Medellin
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$17.52LYD 111
$44.76COP 140.7K
-60.86%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$3.96LYD 25.07
$17.06COP 53.6K
-76.79%
Cinema Ticket
$6.42LYD 40.66
$6.20COP 19.5K
3.55%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Benghazi
Medellin
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$77.3LYD 489
$793COP 2.5M
-90.26%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$358LYD 2,269
$9,019COP 28.4M
-96.03%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Benghazi
Medellin
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$42.91LYD 272
$85.6COP 269.1K
-49.88%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$34.87LYD 221
$58.5COP 183.8K
-40.36%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$44.06LYD 279
$136COP 428.4K
-67.67%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$68.2LYD 432
$103COP 324.1K
-33.89%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Benghazi
Medellin
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$192LYD 1,213
$1,060COP 3.3M
-81.92%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$120LYD 760
$680COP 2.1M
-82.34%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$429LYD 2,718
$2,012COP 6.3M
-78.67%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$259LYD 1,640
$1,169COP 3.7M
-77.83%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$4,111COP 12.9M
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$1,701COP 5.3M
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Benghazi
Medellin
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$267LYD 1,692
$665COP 2.1M
-59.84%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
0
10.94
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Benghazi: August 30, 2026
Last update for Medellin: August 30, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $192 in Benghazi versus $1,060 in Medellin. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
💰Salaries run about 149% higher in Medellin, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $13.00 in Benghazi versus $48.00 in Medellin. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $128 vs $303 – making Benghazi the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
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 Medellin: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Benghazi and in Medellin compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $424 in Benghazi, $1,716 in Medellin – roughly 305% apart. Medellin costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Benghazi compared to Medellin?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $636 per month in Benghazi and $2,574 in Medellin. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Benghazi and Medellin?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Benghazi, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city is more expensive overall: Benghazi or Medellin?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $424 in Benghazi and $1,716 in Medellin. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Benghazi and Medellin?
Kindergarten costs $77.3 per month in Benghazi and $793 in Medellin. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Benghazi, where all-in costs run around $424, than in Medellin at $1,716. In Benghazi it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Benghazi and Medellin?
It depends on your priorities. Medellin has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $424 in Benghazi to $1,716 in Medellin. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
How do I decide between Benghazi and Medellin?
If budget matters most, go with Benghazi. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Medellin makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.