Cost of Living Comparison Between Koura and BeirutCost of Living Comparison Between Koura and Beirut
Monthly Cost of Living
🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,137 in Koura versus $1,390 in Beirut.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,747 in Koura versus $2,293 in Beirut.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,357 in Koura versus $3,195 in Beirut.
🌍Living in Koura costs roughly 18% less than in Beirut, driven mainly by Getting Around.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Koura is 15% below, Beirut is 4% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Koura
Beirut
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.94LBP 979.3K
$10.63LBP 951.4K
2.92%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$61.0LBP 5.5M
$59.8LBP 5.4M
1.87%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.96LBP 712.2K
$7.84LBP 701.7K
1.53%
Cappuccino
$3.29LBP 294.4K
$3.32LBP 296.7K
-0.90%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.57LBP 140.2K
$1.57LBP 140.7K
-
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.89LBP 79.4K
$0.87LBP 77.7K
2.30%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.47LBP 310.6K
$3.48LBP 311.5K
-0.29%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.93LBP 440.9K
$4.95LBP 442.9K
-0.40%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Koura
Beirut
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.70LBP 152.4K
$1.77LBP 158.6K
-3.95%
White Bread(500g)
$0.79LBP 71.0K
$0.79LBP 70.8K
-
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.74LBP 155.8K
$1.82LBP 162.5K
-4.40%
Eggs
$3.20LBP 286.4K
$3.10LBP 277.8K
3.23%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$11.34LBP 1.0M
$11.08LBP 992.0K
2.35%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$9.37LBP 838.2K
$9.37LBP 838.3K
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.65LBP 1.0M
$11.46LBP 1.0M
1.66%
Apples(1kg)
$1.82LBP 163.1K
$1.74LBP 155.9K
4.60%
Banana(1kg)
$1.47LBP 131.7K
$1.45LBP 130.0K
1.38%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.13LBP 101.3K
$1.14LBP 102.2K
-0.88%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.06LBP 94.7K
$1.05LBP 94.1K
0.95%
Potato(1kg)
$1.00LBP 89.2K
$1.00LBP 89.1K
-
Onion(1kg)
$1.04LBP 92.7K
$1.04LBP 93.4K
-
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89LBP 79.3K
$0.89LBP 79.8K
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.53LBP 47.2K
$0.53LBP 47.2K
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.48LBP 221.9K
$2.52LBP 225.9K
-1.59%
Wine(Bottle)
$9.88LBP 884.6K
$10.18LBP 911.3K
-2.95%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.22LBP 109.6K
$1.30LBP 116.1K
-6.15%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.20LBP 197.2K
$2.13LBP 190.2K
3.29%
🚌 Getting Around
Koura
Beirut
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.06LBP 184.3K
$1.97LBP 176.1K
4.57%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$71.1LBP 6.4M
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$5.04LBP 450.9K
$4.95LBP 442.8K
1.82%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.23LBP 109.8K
$1.26LBP 113.2K
-2.38%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$20.17LBP 1.8M
$20.02LBP 1.8M
0.75%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.94LBP 84.2K
$0.93LBP 83.3K
1.08%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.6KLBP 3.1B
$34.9KLBP 3.1B
-0.86%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$28.1KLBP 2.5B
$28.0KLBP 2.5B
0.51%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Koura
Beirut
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$212LBP 19.0M
$217LBP 19.4M
-2.04%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$37.90LBP 3.4M
$37.42LBP 3.3M
1.28%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$37.12LBP 3.3M
$37.20LBP 3.3M
-0.22%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Koura
Beirut
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.12LBP 2.2M
$68.3LBP 6.1M
-63.20%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$29.66LBP 2.7M
-
Cinema Ticket
$7.87LBP 704.5K
$7.83LBP 700.5K
0.51%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Koura
Beirut
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$299LBP 26.8M
$305LBP 27.3M
-1.88%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$4,434LBP 396.8M
$4,511LBP 403.7M
-1.70%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Koura
Beirut
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$71.9LBP 6.4M
$69.7LBP 6.2M
3.17%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.75LBP 4.0M
$44.73LBP 4.0M
0.04%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$122LBP 10.9M
$121LBP 10.9M
0.72%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$92.6LBP 8.3M
$94.7LBP 8.5M
-2.27%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Koura
Beirut
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$246LBP 22.0M
$789LBP 70.6M
-68.87%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$200LBP 17.9M
$376LBP 33.7M
-46.77%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$445LBP 39.9M
$1,956LBP 175.1M
-77.23%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$352LBP 31.5M
$970LBP 86.8M
-63.75%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,156LBP 103.5M
$3,944LBP 352.9M
-70.69%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$844LBP 75.5M
$1,952LBP 174.7M
-56.77%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Koura
Beirut
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$594LBP 53.2M
$715LBP 64.0M
-16.88%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.16
11.16
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Koura: July 14, 2026
Last update for Beirut: July 12, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $246 in Koura and $789 in Beirut. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Beirut pays 20% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $61.0 in Koura vs $60.0 in Beirut for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $234 vs $233 per month, with Beirut cheaper across the board.
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
Koura vs Beirut: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Beirut cheaper than Koura?
Koura is cheaper overall, especially in Sport & Entertainment, Getting Around. The 22% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Koura or Beirut?
On paper, salaries run 20% lower in Beirut. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
What is the rent difference between Koura and Beirut?
Rent for a central apartment: $246 in Koura versus $789 in Beirut. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do food prices compare in Koura and in Beirut?
Shoppers in Beirut pay roughly 0% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.
What are total monthly expenses in Koura and in Beirut?
All in, you'll spend $1,137 per month in Koura versus $1,390 in Beirut – a 22% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $1,000 a realistic budget for living in Koura or in Beirut?
At $1,137 in Koura versus $1,390 in Beirut, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Koura but tight or insufficient in Beirut. The gap between the two cities makes Koura the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is it better to live in Koura or in Beirut?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Koura gentler on the wallet – expenses run 22% less than in Beirut. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.