Cost of Living Comparison Between Derna and Zawiya Cost of Living Comparison Between Derna and Zawiya

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $175 per month in Derna vs $426 in Zawiya, rent included.

A couple spends around $339 per month in Derna vs $654 in Zawiya, rent included.

A family of three spends $503 per month in Derna vs $881 in Zawiya, rent included.

Derna is about 59% cheaper than Zawiya, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Derna and Zawiya are more affordable than the global median – Derna 87% lower, Zawiya 69% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.84 LYD 24.22

$2.30 LYD 14.53

66.96%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$7.91 LYD 49.91

$15.04 LYD 94.9

-47.41%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$3.17 LYD 20.00

$2.54 LYD 16.00

24.80%

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$0.49 LYD 3.08

$0.48 LYD 3.06

2.08%

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.61 LYD 3.86

$0.62 LYD 3.90

-1.61%

Cappuccino

$0.48 LYD 3.05

$0.42 LYD 2.63

14.29%

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

$0.32 LYD 2.02

$0.42 LYD 2.64

-23.81%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.09 LYD 0.57

Milk (1 liter)

$0.76 LYD 4.78

$0.91 LYD 5.72

-16.48%

White Bread (500g)

$0.20 LYD 1.26

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.39 LYD 15.11

$1.12 LYD 7.05

113.39%

Eggs

$0.92 LYD 5.78

$1.03 LYD 6.48

-10.68%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.66 LYD 29.43

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.22 LYD 20.34

$3.32 LYD 20.97

-3.01%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.86 LYD 55.9

Apples (1kg)

$1.85 LYD 11.70

Banana (1kg)

$0.77 LYD 4.83

$1.24 LYD 7.83

-37.90%

Oranges (1kg)

$0.93 LYD 5.84

$0.71 LYD 4.47

30.99%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.53 LYD 3.32

Potato (1kg)

$0.49 LYD 3.09

Onion (1kg)

$0.27 LYD 1.70

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.30 LYD 1.88

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.18 LYD 1.13

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$0.77 LYD 4.89

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.73 LYD 4.63

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.81 LYD 5.14

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.67 LYD 10.55

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.77 LYD 4.84

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$39.03 LYD 246

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.82 LYD 5.18

$0.78 LYD 4.92

5.13%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.49 LYD 3.11

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.40 LYD 15.16

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.02 LYD 0.13

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

$15.6K LYD 98.8K

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

$14.0K LYD 88.5K

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)

$5.67 LYD 35.81

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$14.14 LYD 89.2

$12.23 LYD 77.2

15.62%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$17.20 LYD 109

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$3.92 LYD 24.75

Cinema Ticket

$3.85 LYD 24.32

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

$52.7 LYD 332

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$628 LYD 3,966

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$31.22 LYD 197

$21.22 LYD 134

47.13%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$38.71 LYD 244

$17.59 LYD 111

120.07%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$38.74 LYD 245

$27.97 LYD 177

38.51%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$39.98 LYD 252

$31.76 LYD 200

25.88%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$91.1 LYD 575

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$58.2 LYD 367

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$155 LYD 978

$171 LYD 1,082

-9.63%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$94.6 LYD 597

$116 LYD 735

-18.80%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$193 LYD 1,221

$469 LYD 2,960

-58.76%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$78.7 LYD 497

$38.80 LYD 245

102.78%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$176 LYD 1,113

$255 LYD 1,611

-30.94%

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

Last update for Derna: September 6, 2026

Last update for Zawiya: September 6, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Salaries run about 45% higher in Zawiya, 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 $8.00 in Derna versus $15.00 in Zawiya. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $45.00 vs $104 – making Derna 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

Derna vs Zawiya: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Zawiya costs about 144% more than Derna, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $262 per month in Derna and $639 in Zawiya. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $175 in Derna and $426 in Zawiya. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 131% more in Zawiya, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

$800 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $175 in Derna and $426 in Zawiya, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.

Families tend to lean toward Derna – 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 Derna. 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.