Cost of Living Comparison Between Benghazi and Zawiya Cost of Living Comparison Between Benghazi and Zawiya

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $425 per month in Benghazi vs $426 in Zawiya, rent included.

A couple spends around $721 per month in Benghazi vs $654 in Zawiya, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,018 per month in Benghazi vs $881 in Zawiya, rent included.

Benghazi and Zawiya have comparable living costs – the differences are in the details.

Both Benghazi and Zawiya are more affordable than the global median – Benghazi 69% lower, Zawiya 69% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.46 LYD 15.53

$2.30 LYD 14.53

6.96%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$12.68 LYD 80.1

$15.04 LYD 94.9

-15.69%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$2.38 LYD 15.01

$2.54 LYD 16.00

-6.30%

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.16 LYD 13.62

$0.48 LYD 3.06

350.00%

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.40 LYD 2.54

$0.62 LYD 3.90

-35.48%

Cappuccino

$0.65 LYD 4.07

$0.42 LYD 2.63

54.76%

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

$0.47 LYD 2.96

$0.42 LYD 2.64

11.90%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.14 LYD 0.90

$0.09 LYD 0.57

55.56%

Milk (1 liter)

$0.81 LYD 5.12

$0.91 LYD 5.72

-10.99%

White Bread (500g)

$0.18 LYD 1.16

$0.20 LYD 1.26

-10.00%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.40 LYD 8.85

$1.12 LYD 7.05

25.00%

Eggs

$1.69 LYD 10.67

$1.03 LYD 6.48

64.08%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$6.32 LYD 39.87

$4.66 LYD 29.43

35.62%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$2.82 LYD 17.81

$3.32 LYD 20.97

-15.06%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$11.19 LYD 70.6

$8.86 LYD 55.9

26.30%

Apples (1kg)

$2.27 LYD 14.31

$1.85 LYD 11.70

22.70%

Banana (1kg)

$1.80 LYD 11.35

$1.24 LYD 7.83

45.16%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.19 LYD 7.50

$0.71 LYD 4.47

67.61%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.76 LYD 4.77

$0.53 LYD 3.32

43.40%

Potato (1kg)

$0.80 LYD 5.05

$0.49 LYD 3.09

63.27%

Onion (1kg)

$0.64 LYD 4.05

$0.27 LYD 1.70

137.04%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.34 LYD 2.16

$0.30 LYD 1.88

13.33%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.21 LYD 1.32

$0.18 LYD 1.13

16.67%

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$2.38 LYD 15.00

$0.77 LYD 4.89

209.09%

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.53 LYD 3.32

$0.73 LYD 4.63

-27.40%

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.81 LYD 5.10

$0.81 LYD 5.14

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.84 LYD 11.58

$1.67 LYD 10.55

10.18%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.77 LYD 4.84

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$39.03 LYD 246

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.55 LYD 9.78

$0.78 LYD 4.92

98.72%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.33 LYD 2.05

$0.49 LYD 3.11

-32.65%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.40 LYD 15.16

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.02 LYD 0.12

$0.02 LYD 0.13

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

$12.4K LYD 78.2K

$15.6K LYD 98.8K

-20.77%

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

$14.8K LYD 93.4K

$14.0K LYD 88.5K

5.56%

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

$93.3 LYD 589

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

$4.50 LYD 28.42

$5.67 LYD 35.81

-20.63%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$18.96 LYD 120

$12.23 LYD 77.2

55.03%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$17.82 LYD 112

$17.20 LYD 109

3.60%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$3.97 LYD 25.06

$3.92 LYD 24.75

1.28%

Cinema Ticket

$6.41 LYD 40.45

$3.85 LYD 24.32

66.49%

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

$77.3 LYD 488

$52.7 LYD 332

46.83%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$360 LYD 2,275

$628 LYD 3,966

-42.65%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$42.51 LYD 268

$21.22 LYD 134

100.33%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$35.70 LYD 225

$17.59 LYD 111

102.96%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$42.87 LYD 271

$27.97 LYD 177

53.27%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$68.3 LYD 431

$31.76 LYD 200

115.18%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$189 LYD 1,191

$91.1 LYD 575

107.20%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$117 LYD 739

$58.2 LYD 367

101.36%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$424 LYD 2,678

$171 LYD 1,082

147.41%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$260 LYD 1,642

$116 LYD 735

123.39%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$469 LYD 2,960

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$38.80 LYD 245

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$267 LYD 1,685

$255 LYD 1,611

4.61%

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

Last update for Benghazi: September 6, 2026

Last update for Zawiya: September 6, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $189 in Benghazi versus $91.1 in Zawiya. 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 5% higher in Benghazi. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $13.00 in Benghazi versus $15.00 in Zawiya. Groceries tell a different story – $127 in Benghazi vs $104 in Zawiya – so Zawiya wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

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 Zawiya: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

For a comfortable life, plan on about $638 per month in Benghazi and $639 in Zawiya. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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.

Kindergarten costs $77.3 per month in Benghazi and $52.7 in Zawiya. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Interestingly, groceries are about 22% cheaper in Zawiya – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

$1,200 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $425 in Benghazi and $426 in Zawiya, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.

Families tend to lean toward Benghazi – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

If budget matters most, go with Benghazi. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Zawiya makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.