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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $170 per month in Derna vs $410 in Zawiya, rent included.

A couple spends around $337 per month in Derna vs $688 in Zawiya, rent included.

A family of three spends $504 per month in Derna vs $965 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

$4.72 LYD 30.03

$2.80 LYD 17.78

68.57%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$9.35 LYD 59.5

$18.48 LYD 118

-49.40%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$3.71 LYD 23.56

$3.63 LYD 23.10

2.20%

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$0.53 LYD 3.39

$0.57 LYD 3.61

-7.02%

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.75 LYD 4.79

$0.68 LYD 4.30

10.29%

Cappuccino

$0.57 LYD 3.63

$0.49 LYD 3.10

16.33%

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

$0.39 LYD 2.47

$0.49 LYD 3.12

-20.41%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.12 LYD 0.75

Milk (1 liter)

$0.70 LYD 4.44

$1.03 LYD 6.55

-32.04%

White Bread (500g)

$0.23 LYD 1.46

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.24 LYD 7.86

Eggs

$0.76 LYD 4.85

$1.23 LYD 7.85

-38.21%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$5.02 LYD 31.94

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.27 LYD 20.81

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.09 LYD 64.2

Apples (1kg)

$2.06 LYD 13.11

Banana (1kg)

$0.96 LYD 6.11

$1.27 LYD 8.09

-24.41%

Oranges (1kg)

$0.83 LYD 5.25

Tomato (1kg)

$0.55 LYD 3.52

Potato (1kg)

$0.58 LYD 3.66

Onion (1kg)

$0.31 LYD 1.97

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.38 LYD 2.43

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.17 LYD 1.07

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$0.75 LYD 4.78

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.70 LYD 4.46

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.64 LYD 4.07

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.84 LYD 11.73

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.93 LYD 5.92

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$46.59 LYD 296

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.93 LYD 5.92

$0.96 LYD 6.11

-3.12%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.89 LYD 5.67

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.74 LYD 17.42

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.03 LYD 0.18

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

$13.7K LYD 87.4K

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

$16.2K LYD 103.1K

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

$32.55 LYD 207

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

$6.52 LYD 41.44

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$16.38 LYD 104

$14.02 LYD 89.2

16.83%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$20.08 LYD 128

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$4.48 LYD 28.49

Cinema Ticket

$4.55 LYD 28.93

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

$53.1 LYD 337

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$908 LYD 5,772

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$37.23 LYD 237

$21.60 LYD 137

72.36%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$46.51 LYD 296

$34.94 LYD 222

33.11%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$45.65 LYD 290

$31.97 LYD 203

42.79%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$45.78 LYD 291

$36.00 LYD 229

27.17%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$107 LYD 679

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$69.1 LYD 440

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$183 LYD 1,161

$201 LYD 1,280

-9.32%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$109 LYD 695

$136 LYD 863

-19.53%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$200 LYD 1,273

$470 LYD 2,988

-57.40%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$79.3 LYD 504

$38.66 LYD 246

105.17%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$173 LYD 1,100

$260 LYD 1,653

-33.41%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

17.5

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

Last update for Derna: June 1, 2026

Last update for Zawiya: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Salaries run about 50% 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 $9.00 in Derna versus $18.00 in Zawiya. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $16.00 vs $114 – 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 142% 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 $255 per month in Derna and $615 in Zawiya. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $170 in Derna and $410 in Zawiya. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 622% 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 $170 in Derna and $410 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.