Cost of living in Benin compared to China
Currency:
Food | - 18% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Benin is 18% cheaper than in China | ||||
Benin | China | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 6,338 Franc (71元) | 56元 | + 26% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 4,130 Franc (46元) | 41元 | + 12% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 1,235 Franc (14元) | 14元 | - 4% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 1,356 Franc (15元) | 17元 | - 11% | |
12 eggs, large | 1,006 Franc (11元) | 20元 | - 43% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 394 Franc (4.41元) | 10元 | - 57% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 1,576 Franc (18元) | 57元 | - 69% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 1,250 Franc (14元) | 16元 | - 11% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 950 Franc (11元) | 7元 | + 61% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 532 Franc (5.95元) | 6.00元 | - 1% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 3,412 Franc (38元) | 129元 | - 70% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 1,318 Franc (15元) | 11元 | + 40% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 364 Franc (4.08元) | 13元 | - 69% | |
Housing | - 28% | |||
Housing in Benin is 28% cheaper than in China | ||||
Benin | China | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 300,000 Franc (3,355元) | 13,117元 | - 74% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | - | 7,964元 | - | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 38,682 Franc (433元) | 401元 | + 8% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | - | 8,919元 | - | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | - | 4,611元 | - | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 12,000 Franc (134元) | 242元 | - 44% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 15,839 Franc (177元) | 117元 | + 51% | |
40” flat screen tv | 98,235 Franc (1,099元) | 1,521元 | - 28% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 75,000 Franc (839元) | 661元 | + 27% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 3,306 Franc (37元) | 56元 | - 34% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 2,000 Franc (22元) | 54元 | - 58% | |
Clothes | - 51% | |||
Clothes in Benin is 51% cheaper than in China | ||||
Benin | China | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 15,481 Franc (173元) | 491元 | - 65% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 10,294 Franc (115元) | 261元 | - 56% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 19,706 Franc (220元) | 609元 | - 64% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 66,294 Franc (741元) | 662元 | + 12% | |
Transportation | - 21% | |||
Transportation in Benin is 21% cheaper than in China | ||||
Benin | China | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | - | 150,872元 | - | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 515 Franc (5.76元) | 9元 | - 34% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 11,000 Franc (123元) | 197元 | - 37% | |
Personal Care | - 15% | |||
Personal Care in Benin is 15% cheaper than in China | ||||
Benin | China | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 3,000 Franc (34元) | 29元 | + 15% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 5,000 Franc (56元) | 23元 | + 147% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 10,000 Franc (112元) | 371元 | - 70% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 1,200 Franc (13元) | 37元 | - 64% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 1,447 Franc (16元) | 23元 | - 30% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 2,000 Franc (22元) | 33元 | - 33% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 1,471 Franc (16元) | 14元 | + 21% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 1,441 Franc (16元) | 13元 | + 24% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | - | 63元 | - | |
Entertainment | - 34% | |||
Entertainment in Benin is 34% cheaper than in China | ||||
Benin | China | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 15,000 Franc (168元) | 267元 | - 37% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 8,706 Franc (97元) | 114元 | - 15% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 20,000 Franc (224元) | 1,234元 | - 82% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 15,000 Franc (168元) | 473元 | - 65% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 2,059 Franc (23元) | 81元 | - 72% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 3,588 Franc (40元) | 35元 | + 14% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 600 Franc (7元) | 31元 | - 78% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | - | 3,289元 | - | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 55 Franc (0.61元) | 0.24元 | + 152% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 23,062 Franc (258元) | 449元 | - 43% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | - | 29元 | - | |
TOTAL | - 27% |

These prices were last updated on January 30, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.01118
CNY
/
XOF
Cost of living in Benin is 27% cheaper than in China
Other Country Comparisons
- Cost of living in Andorra is 44% more expensive than in China
- Cost of living in Angola is 5% more expensive than in China
- Cost of living in Argentina is 16% cheaper than in China
- Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is 51% more expensive than in China
- Cost of living in American Samoa is in China
- Cost of living in Antigua and Barbuda is 36% more expensive than in China
- Cost of living in Albania is 20% cheaper than in China
- Cost of living in Anguilla is 114% more expensive than in China