😐A single person spends $734 per month in Maracaibo vs $61.9 in Barinas, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $1,244 per month in Maracaibo vs $93.0 in Barinas, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $1,754 per month in Maracaibo vs $124 in Barinas, rent included.
😐Maracaibo costs about 1086% more than Barinas, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both Maracaibo and Barinas are more affordable than the global median – Maracaibo45% lower, Barinas95% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Maracaibo
Barinas
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.37VES 5,795
-
-
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$39.97VES 22.3K
-
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.82VES 4,931
-
-
Cappuccino
$2.65VES 1,480
-
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.20VES 673
$0.97VES 543
23.71%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.30VES 727
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.32VES 1,294
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.95VES 1,648
-
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Maracaibo
Barinas
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.79VES 999
-
-
White Bread(500g)
$1.94VES 1,084
-
-
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.09VES 609
$1.09VES 607
-
Eggs
$3.19VES 1,781
-
-
Local Cheese(1kg)
$5.95VES 3,328
$2.96VES 1,656
101.01%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.39VES 3,012
-
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$6.08VES 3,397
-
-
Apples(1kg)
$4.51VES 2,521
-
-
Banana(1kg)
$1.38VES 771
-
-
Oranges(1kg)
$1.71VES 957
-
-
Tomato(1kg)
$1.47VES 822
$1.08VES 604
36.11%
Potato(1kg)
$1.16VES 651
-
-
Onion(1kg)
$1.62VES 908
-
-
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.01VES 565
-
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.60VES 892
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.43VES 1,920
-
-
Wine(Bottle)
$8.97VES 5,012
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.06VES 593
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.64VES 1,478
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Maracaibo
Barinas
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.51VES 288
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.83VES 23.4K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.11VES 2,297
$2.98VES 1,668
37.92%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.95VES 1,091
$4.94VES 2,761
-60.53%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$17.77VES 9,931
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.48VES 270
-
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$22.2KVES 12.4M
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.0KVES 17.3M
-
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Maracaibo
Barinas
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$16.22VES 9,066
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.02VES 5,044
-
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$25.85VES 14.5K
-
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Maracaibo
Barinas
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$34.34VES 19.2K
$9.98VES 5,581
244.09%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$23.43VES 13.1K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$5.04VES 2,816
-
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Maracaibo
Barinas
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$112VES 62.7K
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$13.9KVES 7.8M
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Maracaibo
Barinas
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$41.75VES 23.3K
-
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.17VES 23.6K
-
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$57.8VES 32.3K
-
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$60.3VES 33.7K
-
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Maracaibo
Barinas
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$180VES 100.8K
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$101VES 56.2K
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$330VES 184.2K
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$209VES 116.9K
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$759VES 424.3K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$502VES 280.4K
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Maracaibo
Barinas
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$196VES 109.8K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
26.6
0
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Maracaibo: May 31, 2026
Last update for Barinas: June 1, 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
Maracaibo vs Barinas: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Maracaibo and Barinas compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $734 in Maracaibo, $61.9 in Barinas – roughly 1086% apart. Maracaibo costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Maracaibo compared to Barinas?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,101 per month in Maracaibo and $92.8 in Barinas. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city is more expensive overall: Maracaibo or Barinas?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $734 in Maracaibo and $61.9 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 1085% more in Maracaibo, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
How far does $1,200 go in Maracaibo vs Barinas?
$1,200 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $734 in Maracaibo and $61.9 in Barinas, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Where should families live: Maracaibo 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 Maracaibo and Barinas?
If budget matters most, go with Barinas. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Maracaibo makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.