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Cost of living in Benin

Compare the cost of your home country to the actual living costs in Benin, simply select your home currency and see the difference!

All data is kept up to date by local members and actual students. Our latest update was on: 30th of June 2020

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Food Price in CFA
12 eggs dozen, large 12.50 XOF
1 beer pint in local shops, markets 7 XOF
1 kg of tomatoes 8.50 XOF
Full chicken 2kg 38.75 XOF
1litre 100% fruit juice 8.50 XOF
1 package of cigarettes imported brands 25 XOF
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples 7.50 XOF
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality 48.95 XOF
2.5 liters of Coca-Cola 0.95 XOF
1 Bread loaf standard 9.50 XOF
Whole fat Yogurt. 500ml 12 XOF
1x6 pack Dardanelle tuna 18.50 XOF
Heinz baked beans 1 tin 8 XOF
1.5 kg Sugar 10 XOF
2 liter cooking oil 20 XOF
Yum-yum noodles per pack 2.00 XOF
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes 5.50 XOF
1 liter milk 8.50 XOF
Fast food restaurant large serving/ take away 25 XOF
Housing
Utilities per month (water, electricity, gas) for 2 people in flat 165 XOF
Wi-Fi monthly fee 8 Mbps (1 month) 145 XOF
Laundry detergent (bleach, sunlight liquid, washing surf… altogether) 58.50 XOF
House Cleaning fee per day 105 XOF
Large Gas heater price range upwards. 200 XOF
Original branded Electric Fans 200 XOF
Original branded Electric kettle. 120 XOF
40 inches Beko flat screen HD TV set 2000 XOF
Single bed Blankets 120 XOF
Personal Care
Avon for women and men cologne 100 XOF
Ladies hair plaiting. 60 XOF
Ladies Sanitaryware (Pads and Tampoons) 18 XOF
Men's haircut 40 XOF
Ibuprofen, Panadol, Grandpa Pain killers box of 12 dosses 24.50 XOF
Mobile package local network providers’ talk-time, data and messages 65 XOF
1 month of gym subscription. 105 XOF
Earphones original (Samsung. iPhone) 90 XOF
Unisex Loris perfume 30 XOF
Gadgets maintenance and repairs (cellphone, laptops, tablets...) starting price. 100 XOF
Smart phones (Samsung, Xiaomi, HTC, IPhone) price range upwards 1000 XOF
Laptops (Samsung, Lenovo, Hp, Monster, Dell etc.) price range upwards 3000 XOF
Entertainment
Boat cruise with refreshments and finger snacks 120 XOF
Go carting 30mins 120 XOF
Movie House 3d cinema 30 XOF
Summer Festivals (jet, bumper cars, lucky deep ...(per ticket) 15 XOF
Photo shoot 120 XOF
Cappuccino / expresso/ coffee 12.50 XOF
3 course dinner local restaurant two people 96.50 XOF
3 course dinner classy, exotic restaurant two people 150 XOF
Play station 4 console without games. 2000 XOF
Spalding Basketball 200 XOF
Original branded Racket and Wilson’s tennis balls 500 XOF
Transportation
Taxi fare on average 5-10km 45 XOF
Public transport per trip one way maximum fare 30 XOF
1 liter petrol/diesel 6.50 XOF
1 day rent a car cost 140 XOF
Driver’s license 2300 XOF
Clothes
1 pair of jeans (Denim or similar) 150 XOF
1 pair of men’s formal shoes 215 XOF
1 pair original sport/casual shoes (Nike, Adidas, or equivalent brands) 280 XOF
1 classy summer dress (Zara, H&M or similar retailers) 135.79 XOF
Ladies formal shoes original and durable 120 XOF
Back-pack, gym bag (Nike, Adidas, New balance) 150 XOF

Cost of living here is very cheap. Renting a one bedroom flat in the city here, costs around $350USD. Utilities amount to half of that in addition, and other costs (food, clothing, transportation, leisure) are again about $150USD per month.

This adds up to a total of a $500USD budget, which can be greatly reduced by choosing to stay in a hostel provided for students. The average budget in USD in Benin is as following:

  • 500USD per month for a single person;
  • 1000USD per month for a couple;
  • 1500USD per month for a family with two children will do.

The cost of living in Benin is $650, which is 1.13 times less expensive than the world average. Benin ranked 130th out of 197 countries by cost of living and the 155th best country to live in.

Restaurants

People here tend to spend their money in restaurants and Benin  restaurants offer good food for reasonable prices. Still, if you do not earn much, these offers may not be considered cheap. Restaurants frequently offer drinks that are low priced for those who earn salaries higher than the average.

Markets

The cost of living in Benin can be more affordable if do not eat out, but buy groceries and cook at your own house as shopping at the local markets is even cheaper. Markets offer lower prices for domestic food, while the imported food and alcohol is a bit pricey.

Transportation

If you are in Benin, you’ll definitely need to travel around the country or in your city, either by bus, train, taxi or car. The great thing is that the transportation rates are quite affordable and public transport functions very well, considering the fact that the country has one of the most developed road network.

Clothing and Shoes

When trying to find out the cost of clothes in Benin, you might be amazed that a pair of jeans can cost only $20USD. Leather is a bit more expensive, but still not too much in comparison to some other countries. For a good leather shoes you will need to pay around $50USD.

The overall cost

The total cost of living is around $724 in Benin. The average rent in Benin for a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre is approximately $529 per month, and utilities cost around $18 a month. Other costs will be around $213 including markets, transportation, restaurants, and sports and leisure for one-person.

Monthly Budget

Those interested in simple living should budget between $500USD to $600USD or less monthly. Generally, this budget allows for bus rides and the occasional taxi, big trips to the farmers' market and a few restaurant meals each month.

While you can choose to live in relative luxury, employing full-time housekeepers, commuting by car, enjoying exquisite homes and consuming imported goods such lifestyles can easily amount to $800 or more monthly.