Cost of living in Benin compared to Nigeria
Currency:
Food | + 71% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Benin is 71% more expensive than in Nigeria | ||||
Benin | Nigeria | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 2,500 Franc (6,883 ₦) | 6,197 ₦ | + 11% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 7,000 Franc (19,272 ₦) | 4,250 ₦ | + 353% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 1,235 Franc (3,401 ₦) | 3,207 ₦ | + 6% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 1,300 Franc (3,579 ₦) | 1,143 ₦ | + 213% | |
12 eggs, large | 1,103 Franc (3,037 ₦) | 2,479 ₦ | + 23% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 1,500 Franc (4,130 ₦) | 1,495 ₦ | + 176% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 1,576 Franc (4,340 ₦) | 5,933 ₦ | - 27% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 1,250 Franc (3,441 ₦) | 3,488 ₦ | - 1% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 900 Franc (2,478 ₦) | 2,733 ₦ | - 9% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 500 Franc (1,377 ₦) | 1,037 ₦ | + 33% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 8,000 Franc (22,025 ₦) | 9,593 ₦ | + 130% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 1,318 Franc (3,628 ₦) | 1,084 ₦ | + 235% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 364 Franc (1,003 ₦) | 1,323 ₦ | - 24% | |
Housing | - 15% | |||
Housing in Benin is 15% cheaper than in Nigeria | ||||
Benin | Nigeria | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 377,723 Franc (1,039,901 ₦) | 2,222,680 ₦ | - 53% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 300,000 Franc (825,923 ₦) | 1,328,290 ₦ | - 38% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 60,000 Franc (165,185 ₦) | 153,894 ₦ | + 7% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | - | 844,148 ₦ | - | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | - | 754,176 ₦ | - | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 12,000 Franc (33,037 ₦) | 240,561 ₦ | - 86% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 17,576 Franc (48,389 ₦) | 28,675 ₦ | + 69% | |
40” flat screen tv | 98,235 Franc (270,448 ₦) | 387,079 ₦ | - 30% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 75,000 Franc (206,481 ₦) | 126,450 ₦ | + 63% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 3,306 Franc (9,101 ₦) | 2,193 ₦ | + 315% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 5,000 Franc (13,765 ₦) | 2,985 ₦ | + 361% | |
Clothes | + 184% | |||
Clothes in Benin is 184% more expensive than in Nigeria | ||||
Benin | Nigeria | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 35,000 Franc (96,358 ₦) | 17,024 ₦ | + 466% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 10,294 Franc (28,340 ₦) | 15,682 ₦ | + 81% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 19,706 Franc (54,252 ₦) | 45,968 ₦ | + 18% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 66,294 Franc (182,512 ₦) | 50,000 ₦ | + 265% | |
Transportation | + 9% | |||
Transportation in Benin is 9% more expensive than in Nigeria | ||||
Benin | Nigeria | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | - | 5,000,000 ₦ | - | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 690 Franc (1,901 ₦) | 1,034 ₦ | + 84% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | - | 34,491 ₦ | - | |
Personal Care | + 81% | |||
Personal Care in Benin is 81% more expensive than in Nigeria | ||||
Benin | Nigeria | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 3,000 Franc (8,259 ₦) | 4,044 ₦ | + 104% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 5,000 Franc (13,765 ₦) | 1,768 ₦ | + 679% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 10,000 Franc (27,531 ₦) | 17,619 ₦ | + 56% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 3,500 Franc (9,636 ₦) | 4,474 ₦ | + 115% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 1,447 Franc (3,985 ₦) | 1,749 ₦ | + 128% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 2,000 Franc (5,506 ₦) | 3,834 ₦ | + 44% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 1,471 Franc (4,049 ₦) | 2,923 ₦ | + 39% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 1,441 Franc (3,968 ₦) | 1,338 ₦ | + 197% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | - | 3,631 ₦ | - | |
Entertainment | + 40% | |||
Entertainment in Benin is 40% more expensive than in Nigeria | ||||
Benin | Nigeria | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 15,000 Franc (41,296 ₦) | 43,872 ₦ | - 6% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 4,000 Franc (11,012 ₦) | 11,069 ₦ | - 1% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 20,000 Franc (55,062 ₦) | 15,224 ₦ | + 262% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 45,000 Franc (123,888 ₦) | 42,055 ₦ | + 195% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 4,500 Franc (12,389 ₦) | 4,541 ₦ | + 173% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 3,000 Franc (8,259 ₦) | 3,331 ₦ | + 148% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 600 Franc (1,652 ₦) | 1,421 ₦ | + 16% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | - | 298,218 ₦ | - | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 55 Franc (151 ₦) | - | - | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 23,062 Franc (63,492 ₦) | 34,159 ₦ | + 86% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 3,000 Franc (8,259 ₦) | 2,500 ₦ | + 230% | |
TOTAL | + 20% |

These prices were last updated on April 30, 2025.
Exchange rate:
2.753
NGN
/
XOF
*
Cost of living in Benin is 20% more expensive than in Nigeria
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