😐A single person spends $783 per month in Maracaibo vs $52.5 in Barinas, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $1,303 per month in Maracaibo vs $79.0 in Barinas, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $1,823 per month in Maracaibo vs $106 in Barinas, rent included.
😐Maracaibo costs about 1392% more than Barinas, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both Maracaibo and Barinas are more affordable than the global median – Maracaibo43% lower, Barinas96% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Maracaibo
Barinas
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.44VES 8,480
-
-
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$40.65VES 33.0K
-
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.04VES 7,350
-
-
Cappuccino
$2.67VES 2,171
-
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.14VES 924
$0.98VES 793
16.33%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.33VES 1,082
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.24VES 1,818
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.92VES 2,377
-
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Maracaibo
Barinas
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.78VES 1,444
-
-
White Bread(500g)
$2.11VES 1,712
-
-
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.03VES 838
$1.07VES 868
-3.74%
Eggs
$3.73VES 3,035
-
-
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.70VES 5,441
-
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.47VES 5,255
-
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.47VES 6,067
-
-
Apples(1kg)
$4.72VES 3,832
-
-
Banana(1kg)
$1.37VES 1,111
-
-
Oranges(1kg)
$1.55VES 1,263
-
-
Tomato(1kg)
$1.41VES 1,149
$1.21VES 985
16.53%
Potato(1kg)
$1.23VES 999
-
-
Onion(1kg)
$1.75VES 1,418
-
-
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.98VES 793
-
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$2.03VES 1,648
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.97VES 2,411
-
-
Wine(Bottle)
$8.97VES 7,288
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.09VES 884
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.61VES 2,125
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Maracaibo
Barinas
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.43VES 352
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.84VES 34.0K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.11VES 3,343
$2.97VES 2,410
38.38%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.04VES 1,656
$4.99VES 4,053
-59.12%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$17.34VES 14.1K
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.66VES 534
-
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$14.9KVES 12.1M
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$28.5KVES 23.1M
-
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Maracaibo
Barinas
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$63.0VES 51.2K
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$7.31VES 5,942
-
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$25.06VES 20.4K
-
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Maracaibo
Barinas
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$33.94VES 27.6K
$9.93VES 8,069
241.79%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$28.21VES 22.9K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$5.07VES 4,121
-
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Maracaibo
Barinas
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$153VES 124.3K
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,201VES 5.9M
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Maracaibo
Barinas
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$27.67VES 22.5K
-
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.17VES 26.1K
-
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$61.3VES 49.8K
-
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$57.5VES 46.7K
-
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Maracaibo
Barinas
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$162VES 131.9K
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$93.1VES 75.6K
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$298VES 242.1K
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$197VES 159.9K
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$743VES 603.4K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$506VES 411.6K
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Maracaibo
Barinas
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$200VES 162.7K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
20
0
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Maracaibo: September 8, 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
Maracaibo vs Barinas: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Maracaibo and in Barinas compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $783 in Maracaibo, $52.5 in Barinas – roughly 1392% 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 $1,175 per month in Maracaibo 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: Maracaibo or Barinas?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $783 in Maracaibo 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 2241% 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 compared to Barinas?
$1,200 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $783 in Maracaibo and $52.5 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.