Cost of living in Beirut (Lebanon) is 71% cheaper than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States)
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WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 142 prices entered by 12 different people.

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Food | - 75% | |||
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Food in Beirut (Lebanon) is 75% cheaper than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Beirut | Iowa City, Iowa | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 181,893 L£ [BM] | 2,935,794 L£ [BM] | - 94% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 456,468 L£ [BM] | 1,572,271 L£ [BM] | - 71% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 213,100 L£ [BM] | 958,253 L£ [BM] | - 78% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 13,715 L£ [BM] | 184,860 L£ [BM] | - 93% | |
12 eggs, large | 244,710 L£ [BM] | 474,648 L£ [BM] | - 48% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 81,688 L£ [BM] | - | - | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 68,893 L£ [BM] | - | - | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 133,257 L£ [BM] | - | - | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 32,967 L£ [BM] | 324,293 L£ [BM] | - 90% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 31,686 L£ [BM] | 490,116 L£ [BM] | - 94% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 70,933 L£ [BM] | 2,941,586 L£ [BM] | - 98% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 85,881 L£ [BM] | 375,269 L£ [BM] | - 77% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 64,535 L£ [BM] | 460,304 L£ [BM] | - 86% | |
Housing | - 91% | |||
Housing in Beirut (Lebanon) is 91% cheaper than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Beirut | Iowa City, Iowa | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 7,635,960 L£ [BM] | 369,060,967 L£ [BM] | - 98% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 4,077,340 L£ [BM] | 211,207,194 L£ [BM] | - 98% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 788,576 L£ [BM] | 24,867,470 L£ [BM] | - 97% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 5,483,780 L£ [BM] | 219,137,915 L£ [BM] | - 97% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 6,906,580 L£ [BM] | 153,647,779 L£ [BM] | - 96% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 711,753 L£ [BM] | 25,808,389 L£ [BM] | - 97% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 3,225,860 L£ [BM] | 9,750,219 L£ [BM] | - 67% | |
40” flat screen tv | 18,078,200 L£ [BM] | 90,443,460 L£ [BM] | - 80% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 2,688,720 L£ [BM] | 17,028,475 L£ [BM] | - 84% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 453,856 L£ [BM] | 2,188,076 L£ [BM] | - 79% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 482,852 L£ [BM] | 5,094,464 L£ [BM] | - 91% | |
Clothes | - 23% | |||
Clothes in Beirut (Lebanon) is 23% cheaper than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Beirut | Iowa City, Iowa | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 500,123 L£ [BM] | - | - | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 343,770 L£ [BM] | - | - | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 1,065,360 L£ [BM] | 19,635,662 L£ [BM] | - 95% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 1,428,370 L£ [BM] | 22,347,748 L£ [BM] | - 94% | |
Transportation | - 55% | |||
Transportation in Beirut (Lebanon) is 55% cheaper than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Beirut | Iowa City, Iowa | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 188,879,000 L£ [BM] | - | - | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 37,994 L£ [BM] | 158,545 L£ [BM] | - 76% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 550,839 L£ [BM] | 6,132,799 L£ [BM] | - 91% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | 938,683 L£ [BM] | 3,371,974 L£ [BM] | - 72% | |
Personal Care | - 26% | |||
Personal Care in Beirut (Lebanon) is 26% cheaper than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Beirut | Iowa City, Iowa | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 260,230 L£ [BM] | - | - | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 571,185 L£ [BM] | - | - | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 2,145,650 L£ [BM] | - | - | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 295,429 L£ [BM] | - | - | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 73,098 L£ [BM] | 614,799 L£ [BM] | - 88% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 359,498 L£ [BM] | - | - | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 104,040 L£ [BM] | - | - | |
Tube of toothpaste | 20,568 L£ [BM] | - | - | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 326,670 L£ [BM] | 4,678,432 L£ [BM] | - 93% | |
Entertainment | - 74% | |||
Entertainment in Beirut (Lebanon) is 74% cheaper than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Beirut | Iowa City, Iowa | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 205,564 L£ [BM] | 8,244,483 L£ [BM] | - 98% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 1,027,340 L£ [BM] | 4,107,600 L£ [BM] | - 75% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 726,634 L£ [BM] | 22,474,591 L£ [BM] | - 97% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 5,878,820 L£ [BM] | 18,764,934 L£ [BM] | - 69% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 81,598 L£ [BM] | 1,517,188 L£ [BM] | - 95% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 253,096 L£ [BM] | 818,341 L£ [BM] | - 69% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 177,733 L£ [BM] | 904,506 L£ [BM] | - 80% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 3,287,380 L£ [BM] | 86,422,631 L£ [BM] | - 96% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 2,544 L£ [BM] | - | - | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 324,443 L£ [BM] | 10,333,980 L£ [BM] | - 97% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 194,386 L£ [BM] | 1,516,940 L£ [BM] | - 87% | |
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TOTAL | - 71% |

These prices were last updated on March 21, 2023.
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require $5,800 in Iowa City, Iowa you would need to make just about $1,694 (25,424,704 L£) in Beirut.
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