Cost of Living Comparison Between United States and Benin Cost of Living Comparison Between United States and Benin

Name: Benin
Address: BJ

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $2,626 per month in United States vs $839 in Benin, rent included.

A couple spends around $3,830 per month in United States vs $1,326 in Benin, rent included.

A family of three spends $5,033 per month in United States vs $1,813 in Benin, rent included.

The cost of living in United States is about 213% higher than in Benin on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.

United States sits 90% above the global median, while Benin is 39% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

The regional cost range is wider in United States ($986–$5,298) than in Benin ($745–$933), so city choice matters more there.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.83 $19.83

$5.22 F CFA 2,948

279.89%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$78.8 $78.8

$36.90 F CFA 20.9K

113.58%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.19 $12.19

$9.83 F CFA 5,553

24.01%

Cappuccino

$5.59 $5.59

$5.66 F CFA 3,196

-1.24%

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

$2.78 $2.78

$1.22 F CFA 689

127.87%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.18 $2.18

$1.33 F CFA 749

63.91%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.86 $5.86

$0.91 F CFA 513

543.96%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.02 $8.02

$4.04 F CFA 2,281

98.51%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.07 $1.07

$2.43 F CFA 1,371

-55.97%

White Bread (500g)

$3.68 $3.68

$0.91 F CFA 514

304.40%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.66 $4.66

$1.92 F CFA 1,084

142.71%

Eggs

$4.20 $4.20

$2.18 F CFA 1,230

92.66%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.78 $12.78

$7.46 F CFA 4,216

71.31%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$12.40 $12.40

$4.59 F CFA 2,596

170.15%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$16.90 $16.90

$5.54 F CFA 3,132

205.05%

Apples (1kg)

$5.23 $5.23

$3.04 F CFA 1,715

72.04%

Banana (1kg)

$1.66 $1.66

$1.26 F CFA 710

31.75%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.33 $4.33

$1.21 F CFA 686

257.85%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.96 $4.96

$2.60 F CFA 1,468

90.77%

Potato (1kg)

$2.82 $2.82

$1.38 F CFA 781

104.35%

Onion (1kg)

$3.11 $3.11

$1.21 F CFA 686

157.02%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.19 $2.19

$0.51 F CFA 288

329.41%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.26 $2.26

$0.89 F CFA 502

153.93%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10.35 $10.35

$1.97 F CFA 1,111

425.38%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.81 $14.81

$4.47 F CFA 2,525

231.32%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.09 $2.09

$1.26 F CFA 709

65.87%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.65 $3.65

$1.79 F CFA 1,009

103.91%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.38 $2.38

$1.31 F CFA 742

81.68%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$64.5 $64.5

$7.57 F CFA 4,279

751.92%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.54 $3.54

$1.55 F CFA 873

128.39%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.86 $1.86

$1.62 F CFA 913

14.81%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$30.34 $30.34

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.00 $1.00

$1.26 F CFA 711

-20.63%

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

$35.5K $35.5K

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

$25.9K $25.9K

$25.3K F CFA 14.3M

2.30%

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

$222 $222

$153 F CFA 86.2K

45.57%

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

$61.1 $61.1

$32.84 F CFA 18.6K

86.14%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$74.7 $74.7

$57.0 F CFA 32.2K

31.01%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$44.49 $44.49

$40.20 F CFA 22.7K

10.67%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$22.35 $22.35

$4.50 F CFA 2,541

396.67%

Cinema Ticket

$15.03 $15.03

$8.64 F CFA 4,883

73.96%

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

$1,431 $1,431

$136 F CFA 76.8K

952.97%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$25.9K $25.9K

$5,815 F CFA 3.3M

345.10%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$53.6 $53.6

$22.28 F CFA 12.6K

140.48%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$43.46 $43.46

$8.92 F CFA 5,041

387.22%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$91.5 $91.5

$30.56 F CFA 17.3K

199.35%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$114 $114

$49.48 F CFA 28.0K

129.61%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,633 $1,633

$120 F CFA 67.7K

1262.64%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,328 $1,328

$122 F CFA 68.8K

990.11%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,606 $2,606

$424 F CFA 239.5K

514.80%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,206 $2,206

$393 F CFA 222.2K

460.92%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,323 $3,323

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,653 $2,653

$2,606 F CFA 1.5M

1.81%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,306 $4,306

$294 F CFA 166.2K

1363.68%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.21

55.25%

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

Last update for United States: September 7, 2026

Last update for Benin: September 6, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Average salary: $4,526 in United States vs $176 in Benin. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 1022% higher in United States.

Dining out costs 134% more in United States.

Public transport is 575% more expensive in United States.

Salaries are 2472% higher in United States, and purchasing power comes out stronger in United States.

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

United States vs Benin: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Benin is the cheaper option – living costs run roughly 274% lower on average. The gap is consistent across housing, groceries, transport, and entertainment.

Housing costs more in United States, and the gap is biggest in capital cities. Regional towns show less difference, but United States consistently has higher rents.

Groceries, transport, and utilities all cost less in Benin, contributing to the overall 274% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.

$1,200 buys a comfortable lifestyle in Benin, but in United States it only works with careful planning outside the capital. Same money, very different lives.

Benin is the budget-friendly choice for expats – lower housing and daily costs. But cost isn't everything: visa policies, language, healthcare quality, and job markets all weigh in too.