MigrantoCost of living in Benin
What a month costs, how prices compare with other countries
Monthly cost in Benin
Spending runs from F CFA 19,300 a month in the poorest fifth to F CFA 107,000 in the richest
Per person, whole country
F CFA 41,400
what a typical person spends in a month
Spending across the population
F CFA 19,300richest 20%
F CFA 107,000
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Key facts
The cost of living in Benin in numbers
Typical spending takes 43% of the average wage
A typical person spends F CFA 41,400 a month while the average take-home wage is F CFA 97,000, so 57% of an average wage sits above what a typical person spends.
How living costs in Benin compare
Neighbours, region and the world on the same monthly figure
What things cost here
How much the same goods and services cost in Benin against other countries
Cheaper than 74% of countries
Where Benin sits when every country is lined up from cheapest to most expensive
Pakistanmost expensive
Bermuda
middle
A basket of goods and services that costs F CFA 567,000 at world-middle prices costs F CFA 447,000 here.
Data source: household consumption 2024 (World Bank), International Comparison Program 2021 (World Bank), adjusted to 2026 using IMF GDP-per-capita growth
Living-cost calculator
What it costs to live in Benin
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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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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 standard of living in Benin?
By spending, Benin ranks #162 of 185 countries. A typical person spends about F CFA 41,400 a month, the poorest 20% about F CFA 19,300 and the richest 20% about F CFA 107,000. The gap between them shows how unevenly people live.
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.
What currency is used in Benin?
Benin uses the West African CFA Franc (XOF). Amounts on this page are shown in it; the currency switcher converts them.
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Living in Benin
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