😐A single person spends $1,310 per month in Caracas vs $52.5 in Barinas, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $2,211 per month in Caracas vs $79.0 in Barinas, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $3,111 per month in Caracas vs $106 in Barinas, rent included.
😐Caracas costs about 2395% more than Barinas, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both Caracas and Barinas are more affordable than the global median – Caracas5% lower, Barinas96% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Caracas
Barinas
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.61VES 8,813
-
-
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$67.2VES 55.8K
-
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.97VES 9,112
-
-
Cappuccino
$3.68VES 3,060
-
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.49VES 1,237
$0.98VES 810
52.04%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.34VES 1,109
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.99VES 1,651
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.99VES 2,483
-
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Caracas
Barinas
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.64VES 2,193
-
-
White Bread(500g)
$2.21VES 1,834
-
-
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.84VES 1,527
$1.07VES 887
71.96%
Eggs
$4.77VES 3,964
-
-
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.29VES 8,547
-
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$9.08VES 7,544
-
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.62VES 9,650
-
-
Apples(1kg)
$7.33VES 6,084
-
-
Banana(1kg)
$2.04VES 1,691
-
-
Oranges(1kg)
$2.12VES 1,759
-
-
Tomato(1kg)
$2.35VES 1,950
$1.21VES 1,006
94.21%
Potato(1kg)
$2.30VES 1,912
-
-
Onion(1kg)
$2.23VES 1,855
-
-
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.57VES 1,301
-
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$2.38VES 1,978
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.48VES 3,724
-
-
Wine(Bottle)
$12.12VES 10.1K
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.35VES 1,122
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.06VES 1,708
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Caracas
Barinas
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.48VES 401
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$29.72VES 24.7K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$5.08VES 4,219
$2.97VES 2,463
71.04%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.71VES 2,250
$4.99VES 4,142
-45.69%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$14.70VES 12.2K
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.83VES 687
-
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.6KVES 20.4M
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$38.4KVES 31.9M
-
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Caracas
Barinas
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$23.76VES 19.7K
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.76VES 9,762
-
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$37.37VES 31.0K
-
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Caracas
Barinas
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$67.3VES 55.9K
$9.93VES 8,246
577.34%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.80VES 14.8K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.61VES 5,493
-
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Caracas
Barinas
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$163VES 135.2K
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,995VES 5.0M
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Caracas
Barinas
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$73.0VES 60.6K
-
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$47.04VES 39.1K
-
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$125VES 104.0K
-
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$142VES 118.0K
-
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Caracas
Barinas
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$608VES 505.3K
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$418VES 347.3K
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,103VES 916.1K
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$878VES 729.0K
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,464VES 1.2M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$668VES 554.6K
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Caracas
Barinas
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$299VES 248.7K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
22
0
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Caracas: September 6, 2026
Last update for Barinas: September 5, 2026
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
Caracas vs Barinas: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Caracas and in Barinas compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,310 in Caracas, $52.5 in Barinas – roughly 2395% apart. Caracas costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Caracas compared to Barinas?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,965 per month in Caracas and $78.8 in Barinas. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city is more expensive overall: Caracas or Barinas?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,310 in Caracas and $52.5 in Barinas. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Groceries cost about 3158% more in Caracas, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Barinas, where all-in costs run around $52.5, than in Caracas at $1,310. In Barinas it covers expenses comfortably, while in Caracas it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Where should families live: Caracas or Barinas?
Families tend to lean toward Barinas – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
How do I decide between Caracas and Barinas?
If budget matters most, go with Barinas. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Caracas makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.