Cost of Living Comparison Between Benin and China Cost of Living Comparison Between Benin and China

Name: China
Address: CN

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $839 per month in Benin vs $720 in China, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,326 per month in Benin vs $1,148 in China, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,813 per month in Benin vs $1,576 in China, rent included.

The cost of living in Benin is about 17% higher than in China on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.

Both Benin and China are more affordable than the global median – Benin 39% lower, China 48% lower.

The regional cost range is wider in China ($468–$1,236) than in Benin ($745–$933), so city choice matters more there.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$5.22 F CFA 2,948

$2.93 ¥19.60

78.16%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$36.90 F CFA 20.9K

$22.72 ¥152

62.41%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.83 F CFA 5,553

$5.07 ¥33.95

93.89%

Cappuccino

$5.66 F CFA 3,196

$2.94 ¥19.70

92.52%

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

$1.22 F CFA 689

$0.48 ¥3.21

154.17%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.33 F CFA 749

$0.30 ¥2.02

343.33%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$0.91 F CFA 513

$1.06 ¥7.10

-14.15%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.04 F CFA 2,281

$2.25 ¥15.07

79.56%

Milk (1 liter)

$2.43 F CFA 1,371

$1.79 ¥11.99

35.75%

White Bread (500g)

$0.91 F CFA 514

$1.70 ¥11.35

-46.47%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.92 F CFA 1,084

$0.96 ¥6.45

100.00%

Eggs

$2.18 F CFA 1,230

$1.61 ¥10.79

35.40%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.46 F CFA 4,216

$13.60 ¥91.1

-45.15%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.59 F CFA 2,596

$3.41 ¥22.84

34.60%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$5.54 F CFA 3,132

$11.07 ¥74.2

-49.95%

Apples (1kg)

$3.04 F CFA 1,715

$1.81 ¥12.09

67.96%

Banana (1kg)

$1.26 F CFA 710

$1.30 ¥8.74

-3.08%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.21 F CFA 686

$1.48 ¥9.91

-18.24%

Tomato (1kg)

$2.60 F CFA 1,468

$1.30 ¥8.72

100.00%

Potato (1kg)

$1.38 F CFA 781

$0.72 ¥4.82

91.67%

Onion (1kg)

$1.21 F CFA 686

$0.94 ¥6.31

28.72%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.51 F CFA 288

$0.61 ¥4.08

-16.39%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.89 F CFA 502

$0.56 ¥3.73

58.93%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.97 F CFA 1,111

$3.67 ¥24.58

-46.32%

Wine (Bottle)

$4.47 F CFA 2,525

$11.90 ¥79.7

-62.44%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.26 F CFA 709

$0.83 ¥5.56

51.81%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.79 F CFA 1,009

$1.65 ¥11.08

8.48%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.31 F CFA 742

$0.29 ¥1.92

351.72%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$7.57 F CFA 4,279

$22.61 ¥151

-66.52%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.55 F CFA 873

$1.45 ¥9.72

6.90%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.62 F CFA 913

$0.34 ¥2.31

376.47%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.27 ¥48.72

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.26 F CFA 711

$1.23 ¥8.26

2.44%

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

$19.5K ¥130.9K

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

$25.3K F CFA 14.3M

$17.2K ¥115.5K

46.60%

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

$153 F CFA 86.2K

$55.5 ¥371

175.21%

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

$32.84 F CFA 18.6K

$8.51 ¥57.0

285.90%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$57.0 F CFA 32.2K

$10.81 ¥72.4

427.20%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$40.20 F CFA 22.7K

$40.02 ¥268

0.45%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$4.50 F CFA 2,541

$14.80 ¥99.1

-69.59%

Cinema Ticket

$8.64 F CFA 4,883

$6.73 ¥45.09

28.38%

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

$136 F CFA 76.8K

$454 ¥3,042

-70.08%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$5,815 F CFA 3.3M

$19.5K ¥130.8K

-70.23%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$22.28 F CFA 12.6K

$44.95 ¥301

-50.43%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$8.92 F CFA 5,041

$35.81 ¥240

-75.09%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$30.56 F CFA 17.3K

$76.8 ¥514

-60.18%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$49.48 F CFA 28.0K

$77.3 ¥518

-35.97%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$120 F CFA 67.7K

$385 ¥2,581

-68.90%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$122 F CFA 68.8K

$242 ¥1,623

-49.71%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$424 F CFA 239.5K

$837 ¥5,603

-49.35%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$393 F CFA 222.2K

$474 ¥3,177

-17.09%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,619 ¥30.9K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,606 F CFA 1.5M

$2,316 ¥15.5K

12.51%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$294 F CFA 166.2K

$1,062 ¥7,110

-72.29%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

3.47

15.27%

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

Last update for Benin: September 6, 2026

Last update for China: September 5, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Average salary: $176 in Benin vs $865 in China. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 106% higher in China.

Dining out costs 52% more in Benin.

Public transport is 325% more expensive in China.

Salaries are 391% higher in China, and purchasing power comes out stronger in China.

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

Benin vs China: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Benin is the cheaper option – living costs run roughly 2% lower on average. The gap is consistent across housing, groceries, transport, and entertainment.

Housing costs more in China, and the gap is biggest in capital cities. Regional towns show less difference, but China consistently has higher rents.

Groceries, transport, and utilities all cost less in Benin, contributing to the overall 2% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.

$1,200 buys a comfortable lifestyle in Benin, but in China it only works with careful planning outside the capital. Same money, very different lives.

Benin is the budget-friendly choice for expats – lower housing and daily costs. But cost isn't everything: visa policies, language, healthcare quality, and job markets all weigh in too.