MigrantoCost of living in Benin
Average monthly spending, by standard of living and against other countries
Monthly cost
F CFA 41,400
what a typical person spends
Spending by standard of living
F CFA 19,300richest 20%
F CFA 107,000
Benin keeps a steadier footing than many of its neighbours, its currency tied to the euro, so prices don't lurch the way they do where the money floats. Local produce and labour are cheap, while manufactured goods coming through the port carry the cost of being shipped in. The difference between a comfortable life and a frugal one is moderate — present, but nothing dramatic.
Living-cost calculator
What it costs to live in Benin
Tell us what you earn and spend today — we'll estimate what the same lifestyle would cost in Benin and how much you could have left each month
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Cost of living in Benin
F CFA 19,300/mo
vs F CFA 454,000 in your country
Take-home
F CFA 67,600
vs F CFA 681,000 in your country
Potential savings
F CFA 48,300
more than in your country
Standard of living
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How living costs in Benin compare
Against the rest of the world Benin is one of the less expensive places to live, and within Africa it settles near the middle. A stable, euro-linked currency makes the low cost here less about collapse and more about modest local wages and prices that simply sit low — a steadier kind of cheap.
Data source: household consumption 2024 (World Bank), International Comparison Program 2021 (World Bank), adjusted to 2026 using IMF GDP-per-capita growth
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Frequently asked questions
What is the cost of living in Benin?
A typical person in Benin spends about F CFA 41,400 a month — around F CFA 497,000 a year — on housing, groceries, transport and other everyday costs. It's a nationwide average across different regions, cities and types of housing.
What is the cost of living in Benin in US dollars?
The cost of living in Benin is about $73 a month, or roughly $876 a year per person.
How much money do you need to live comfortably in Benin?
It all depends on your standard of living. A modest budget runs about F CFA 19,300 a month per person, a typical one around F CFA 41,400, and a comfortable life around F CFA 56,100. In big cities and for a family, costs are usually higher.
Is the average salary in Benin enough to live on?
Yes, with room to spare. Average spending is about F CFA 41,400 a month, while the average take-home pay in Benin is about F CFA 97,000. For more on incomes, see salaries in Benin.
Is Benin an expensive country to live in?
No. Benin is more expensive than 13% of countries worldwide and ranks 30th of 53 in Africa by cost of living.
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Living in Benin
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