😐A single person spends $745 per month in Maracaibo vs $61.0 in Barinas, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $1,249 per month in Maracaibo vs $93.0 in Barinas, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $1,753 per month in Maracaibo vs $125 in Barinas, rent included.
😐Maracaibo costs about 1123% more than Barinas, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both Maracaibo and Barinas are more affordable than the global median – Maracaibo44% lower, Barinas95% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Maracaibo
Barinas
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.59VES 7,784
-
-
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$40.33VES 29.6K
-
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.79VES 6,458
-
-
Cappuccino
$2.75VES 2,025
-
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.15VES 844
$1.02VES 749
12.75%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.30VES 956
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.20VES 1,614
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.03VES 2,228
-
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Maracaibo
Barinas
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.72VES 1,266
-
-
White Bread(500g)
$2.01VES 1,476
-
-
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.11VES 817
$1.13VES 830
-1.77%
Eggs
$3.04VES 2,236
-
-
Local Cheese(1kg)
$5.90VES 4,335
$2.96VES 2,177
99.32%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.27VES 3,874
-
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$6.34VES 4,657
-
-
Apples(1kg)
$4.31VES 3,166
-
-
Banana(1kg)
$1.37VES 1,007
-
-
Oranges(1kg)
$1.68VES 1,238
-
-
Tomato(1kg)
$1.48VES 1,084
$1.13VES 832
30.97%
Potato(1kg)
$1.17VES 861
-
-
Onion(1kg)
$1.69VES 1,241
-
-
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.99VES 726
-
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.63VES 1,202
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.44VES 2,529
-
-
Wine(Bottle)
$9.27VES 6,814
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.07VES 783
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.65VES 1,946
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Maracaibo
Barinas
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.49VES 358
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$42.21VES 31.0K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.90VES 2,866
$3.06VES 2,248
27.45%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.96VES 1,443
$5.13VES 3,774
-61.79%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$17.73VES 13.0K
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.52VES 380
-
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$22.8KVES 16.8M
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.2KVES 22.9M
-
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Maracaibo
Barinas
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$16.36VES 12.0K
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$8.61VES 6,328
-
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$25.41VES 18.7K
-
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Maracaibo
Barinas
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$34.13VES 25.1K
$9.85VES 7,239
246.50%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$23.62VES 17.4K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.97VES 3,650
-
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Maracaibo
Barinas
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$111VES 81.7K
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$14.3KVES 10.5M
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Maracaibo
Barinas
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$41.23VES 30.3K
-
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$41.87VES 30.8K
-
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$58.7VES 43.1K
-
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$59.6VES 43.8K
-
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Maracaibo
Barinas
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$181VES 132.7K
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$102VES 75.1K
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$327VES 240.4K
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$213VES 156.3K
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$763VES 561.2K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$497VES 365.6K
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Maracaibo
Barinas
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$198VES 145.8K
-
-
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: July 13, 2026
Last update for Barinas: July 11, 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: $745 in Maracaibo, $61.0 in Barinas – roughly 1123% 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 $1,118 per month in Maracaibo and $91.5 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 $745 in Maracaibo and $61.0 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 1057% 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 $745 in Maracaibo and $61.0 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.