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:
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.