- Cost of Living
- Lebanon
- United States
- Beirut
- Houston
- Comparison
Cost of living comparison between Beirut (Lebanon) and Houston (United States)
| Food | 9% | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Beirut (Lebanon) is 9% more expensive than in Houston (United States) | |||
| Daily menu in the business district | 29,700 L£ ($19.75) | $12.55 | 57% |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | 13,500 L£ ($8.98) | $6.15 | 46% |
| 1/2 Kg (1 lb.) of chicken breast | 7,214 L£ ($4.80) | $3.42 | 40% |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 3,333 L£ ($2.22) | $2.42 | 8% |
| 12 eggs, large | 5,500 L£ ($3.66) | $2.25 | 63% |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 1,586 L£ ($1.05) | $2.72 | 61% |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 9,000 L£ ($5.98) | $4.43 | 35% |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 4,143 L£ ($2.75) | $3.19 | 14% |
| 2 kg (4,5 lb.) of potatoes | 2,829 L£ ($1.88) | $3.53 | 47% |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) beer in the supermarket | 2,333 L£ ($1.55) | $2.22 | 30% |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 20,333 L£ ($13.52) | $13.15 | 3% |
| 2 liters of Coca-Cola | 2,281 L£ ($1.52) | $1.64 | 8% |
| bread for 2 people for 1 day | 1,571 L£ ($1.04) | $1.98 | 47% |
| Housing | 45% | ||
| Housing in Beirut (Lebanon) is 45% more expensive than in Houston (United States) | |||
| monthly rent for a 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished apartment in expensive area of the city | 3,138,890 L£ ($2,087) | $1,370 | 52% |
| utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 297,143 L£ ($198) | $151 | 31% |
| Internet 8MB (1 month) | 126,875 L£ ($84) | $45 | 88% |
| 40” flat screen TV | 885,714 L£ ($589) | $614 | 4% |
| Microwave, known brand, 800/900 Watt | 265,833 L£ ($177) | $133 | 33% |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 16,000 L£ ($10.64) | $9.44 | 13% |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 11,214 L£ ($7.46) | $15.40 | 52% |
| Clothes | 64% | ||
| Clothes in Beirut (Lebanon) is 64% more expensive than in Houston (United States) | |||
| 1 pair of Levis 501 | 138,611 L£ ($92) | $38 | 143% |
| 1 summer dress in a chain store (Zara, H&M, ...) | 100,571 L£ ($67) | $39 | 70% |
| 1 pair of Adidas trainers | 145,714 L£ ($97) | $74 | 31% |
| 1 pair of average business shoes | 132,857 L£ ($88) | $85 | 4% |
| Transportation | 7% | ||
| Transportation in Beirut (Lebanon) is 7% more expensive than in Houston (United States) | |||
| Volkswagen Golf 2.0 TDI 140 CV 6 vel. (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 55,555,600 L£ ($36,939) | $22,773 | 62% |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 1,821 L£ ($1.21) | $0.93 | 30% |
| monthly ticket public transport | 88,750 L£ ($59) | $71 | 17% |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 Km. (5 miles) | 28,380 L£ ($18.87) | $14.80 | 27% |
| Personal Care | 59% | ||
| Personal Care in Beirut (Lebanon) is 59% more expensive than in Houston (United States) | |||
| medicine against cold for 6 days (Frenadol, Coldrex, ...) | 27,286 L£ ($18.14) | $8.32 | 118% |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, ...) | 18,800 L£ ($12.50) | $6.08 | 106% |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 7,250 L£ ($4.82) | $2.96 | 63% |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 8,000 L£ ($5.32) | $4.06 | 31% |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 4,625 L£ ($3.08) | $2.97 | 4% |
| Tube of toothpaste | 5,438 L£ ($3.62) | $2.83 | 28% |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 23,125 L£ ($15.38) | $16.50 | 7% |
| Entertainment | 11% | ||
| Entertainment in Beirut (Lebanon) is 11% more expensive than in Houston (United States) | |||
| basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 57,500 L£ ($38) | $36 | 7% |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 23,286 L£ ($15.48) | $18.75 | 17% |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 141,250 L£ ($94) | $193 | 51% |
| dinner out for two in Italian restaurant with wine and dessert | 151,667 L£ ($101) | $81 | 25% |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 17,857 L£ ($11.87) | $8.39 | 42% |
| Capuccino in expat area of the city | 7,833 L£ ($5.21) | $4.52 | 15% |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub | 6,667 L£ ($4.43) | $4.06 | 9% |
| iPod nano 16GB | 358,000 L£ ($238) | $144 | 66% |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 808 L£ ($0.54) | $0.60 | 11% |
| 1 month of gym in business district | 123,333 L£ ($82) | $39 | 111% |
| 1 package of Marlboro cigarretes | 2,393 L£ ($1.59) | $5.98 | 73% |
| TOTAL | 24% | ||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 5,019 prices entered by 408 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 22, 2013.
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Cost of living in Beirut (Lebanon) is 24% more expensive than in Houston (United States)
For example, you would need at least $3,095
(4,655,353 L£)
in Beirut
to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with
$2,500
in Houston.