Cost of Living: Benin vs United Kingdom

Detailed comparison of living costs and expenses between Benin and United Kingdom.

Data updated: September 2026

Quick Comparison Summary

In simple terms, living in Benin is 83.8% cheaper than United Kingdom. The biggest difference is in Other Expenses, where costs are 94.9% lower. This means that for every $100 you spend in United Kingdom, you would spend about $16 in Benin for the same standard of living.

Key Differences

Other Expenses 94.9%

Benin is 94.9% cheaper

Salaries And Financing 92.2%

Benin is 92.2% cheaper

Rent Per Month 83.0%

Benin is 83.0% cheaper

Cost of Living Index

Overall Difference 83.8%

Benin is 83.8% cheaper than United Kingdom

Most Expensive Categories

  • Mobile and Internet +49.4%

Is Benin cheaper than United Kingdom?

Yes, Benin is cheaper than United Kingdom

Overall, living costs in Benin are 83.8% lower than in United Kingdom.

Where Benin is cheaper:

  • Other Expenses 94.9% cheaper
  • Salaries And Financing 92.2% cheaper
  • Rent Per Month 83.0% cheaper

Where Benin is more expensive:

  • Mobile and Internet 49.4% more expensive

Practical Examples

Basic restaurant meal

Benin: 3.47 $ United Kingdom: 20.35 $
82.9% cheaper in Benin

1-bedroom apartment in city center

Benin: 189.44 $ United Kingdom: 1,411.39 $
86.6% cheaper in Benin

Monthly public transport pass

Benin: 7.55 $ United Kingdom: 94.95 $
92.0% cheaper in Benin

1 liter of milk

Benin: 2.07 $ United Kingdom: 1.69 $
22.5% more expensive in Benin

Summary

Based on comprehensive cost of living data, Benin is indeed cheaper than United Kingdom. You would save approximately 83.8% on living expenses by choosing Benin over United Kingdom. This includes all major expense categories such as housing, food, transportation, and utilities.

Overall Cost of Living Comparison

83.8%

Benin is 83.8% cheaper than United Kingdom

Restaurants

63.3%

Benin is 63.3% cheaper than United Kingdom in this category

Markets

72.1%

Benin is 72.1% cheaper than United Kingdom in this category

Other Expenses

94.9%

Benin is 94.9% cheaper than United Kingdom in this category

Transportation

40.0%

Benin is 40.0% cheaper than United Kingdom in this category

Household Utilities

48.0%

Benin is 48.0% cheaper than United Kingdom in this category

Mobile and Internet

49.4%

Benin is 49.4% more expensive than United Kingdom in this category

Sports And Leisure

30.0%

Benin is 30.0% cheaper than United Kingdom in this category

Childcare

70.7%

Benin is 70.7% cheaper than United Kingdom in this category

Clothing And Shoes

75.3%

Benin is 75.3% cheaper than United Kingdom in this category

Rent Per Month

83.0%

Benin is 83.0% cheaper than United Kingdom in this category

Property Prices

48.6%

Benin is 48.6% cheaper than United Kingdom in this category

Salaries And Financing

92.2%

Benin is 92.2% cheaper than United Kingdom in this category

Detailed Cost Comparison

Item Benin United Kingdom Difference
Basic Restaurant Meal 3.47 $ 20.35 $ 82.9%
Benin is 82.9% cheaper
Three-Course Dinner for Two in Mid Range Restaurant 26.03 $ 88.17 $ 70.5%
Benin is 70.5% cheaper
McDonald's Fast Food Combo Meal 6.07 $ 10.17 $ 40.3%
Benin is 40.3% cheaper
Regular Cappuccino 4.51 $ 4.62 $ 2.4%
Benin is 2.4% cheaper
Soft Drink (330ml) 0.99 $ 2.41 $ 58.9%
Benin is 58.9% cheaper
Bottled Water (330ml) 0.97 $ 1.72 $ 43.6%
Benin is 43.6% cheaper
Bottled Water (1.5L) 1.06 $ 1.53 $ 30.7%
Benin is 30.7% cheaper
Imported Beer (330ml) 4.68 $ 1.17 $ 300.0%
Benin is 300.0% more expensive
Milk (1L) 2.07 $ 1.69 $ 22.5%
Benin is 22.5% more expensive
Fresh Bread (500g) 1.02 $ 1.67 $ 38.9%
Benin is 38.9% cheaper
White Rice (1kg) 1.98 $ 2.21 $ 10.4%
Benin is 10.4% cheaper
Eggs (12 pack) 2.25 $ 4.03 $ 44.2%
Benin is 44.2% cheaper
Local Cheese (1kg) 9.26 $ 9.73 $ 4.8%
Benin is 4.8% cheaper
Chicken Breast (1kg) 4.54 $ 8.96 $ 49.3%
Benin is 49.3% cheaper
Beef (1kg) 5.32 $ 16.31 $ 67.4%
Benin is 67.4% cheaper
Apples (1kg) 2.71 $ 2.97 $ 8.8%
Benin is 8.8% cheaper
Bananas (1kg) 1.21 $ 1.64 $ 26.2%
Benin is 26.2% cheaper
Oranges (1kg) 0.90 $ 2.88 $ 68.8%
Benin is 68.8% cheaper
Tomatoes (1kg) 1.54 $ 3.54 $ 56.5%
Benin is 56.5% cheaper
Potatoes (1kg) 1.11 $ 1.65 $ 32.7%
Benin is 32.7% cheaper
Onions (1kg) 1.11 $ 1.55 $ 28.4%
Benin is 28.4% cheaper
Lettuce (1 head) 0.65 $ 1.14 $ 43.0%
Benin is 43.0% cheaper
Monthly Transit Pass 7.55 $ 94.95 $ 92.0%
Benin is 92.0% cheaper
Cigarettes (20 pack) 1.04 $ 20.33 $ 94.9%
Benin is 94.9% cheaper
Single Bus/Train Ticket 1.74 $ 3.26 $ 46.6%
Benin is 46.6% cheaper
Taxi Base Fare 1.56 $ 5.43 $ 71.3%
Benin is 71.3% cheaper
Taxi per Kilometer 1.74 $ 2.41 $ 27.8%
Benin is 27.8% cheaper
Taxi Waiting Hourly Rate 1.74 $ 27.13 $ 93.6%
Benin is 93.6% cheaper
Gasoline (1L) 1.04 $ 1.95 $ 46.7%
Benin is 46.7% cheaper
New Economy Car ? 38,367.32 $ N/A
New Mid-Range Car 24,295.14 $ 40,488.21 $ 40.0%
Benin is 40.0% cheaper
Monthly Utilities (80m² size) 167.75 $ 322.47 $ 48.0%
Benin is 48.0% cheaper
10 GB Mobile Plan with Data 27.77 $ 17.46 $ 59.0%
Benin is 59.0% more expensive
High-Speed Internet (> 60 Mbps) 61.61 $ 42.38 $ 45.4%
Benin is 45.4% more expensive
Gym Membership 41.65 $ 46.25 $ 9.9%
Benin is 9.9% cheaper
Tennis Court (Weekend) 5.21 $ 15.82 $ 67.1%
Benin is 67.1% cheaper
Movie Ticket 6.07 $ 13.56 $ 55.2%
Benin is 55.2% cheaper
Private Preschool (Full Day) 185.11 $ 1,710.49 $ 89.2%
Benin is 89.2% cheaper
International School (Yearly) 6,363.01 $ 20,621.65 $ 69.1%
Benin is 69.1% cheaper
1 Pair of Jeans 17.35 $ 90.04 $ 80.7%
Benin is 80.7% cheaper
1 Summer Dress 8.68 $ 44.62 $ 80.5%
Benin is 80.5% cheaper
1 Pair of Running Shoes 17.35 $ 101.31 $ 82.9%
Benin is 82.9% cheaper
1 Pair of Business Shoes 40.49 $ 103.43 $ 60.9%
Benin is 60.9% cheaper
1-Bedroom Apartment (City Center) 189.44 $ 1,411.39 $ 86.6%
Benin is 86.6% cheaper
1-Bedroom Apartment (Suburbs) 138.83 $ 1,145.39 $ 87.9%
Benin is 87.9% cheaper
3-Bedroom Apartment (City Center) 520.61 $ 2,337.19 $ 77.7%
Benin is 77.7% cheaper
3-Bedroom Apartment (Suburbs) 299.97 $ 1,852.21 $ 83.8%
Benin is 83.8% cheaper
Apartment Price (City Center) per m² ? 6,334.38 $ N/A
Apartment Price (Suburbs) per m² 2,603.05 $ 5,062.78 $ 48.6%
Benin is 48.6% cheaper
Average Monthly Salary (after tax) 245.84 $ 3,229.12 $ 92.4%
Benin is 92.4% cheaper
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Rate 5.00 5.75 13.0%
Benin is 13.0% cheaper

Cost of Living Calculator

Calculate how your current expenses would change if you moved to United Kingdom. Enter your monthly expenses in Benin to see the equivalent costs.

Housing

Food & Dining

Transportation

Other Expenses

Our Methodology

Our cost of living comparisons are based on a robust methodology that combines multiple data sources and regular updates to ensure accuracy:

Data Collection

  • Regular price surveys conducted in major cities
  • Official government statistics and economic indicators
  • User-contributed data from expatriates and local residents
  • Real estate market reports and rental price indices
  • Consumer price indices and inflation data

Calculation Methods

  • Prices are normalized to USD for consistent comparison
  • Exchange rates are updated monthly
  • Regional price variations are weighted by population
  • Seasonal fluctuations are accounted for in the averages
  • Quality of life factors are considered in the overall assessment

Quality Assurance

  • Data is verified by local experts
  • Regular cross-checking with multiple sources
  • User feedback is incorporated into updates
  • Statistical outliers are identified and reviewed
  • Methodology is reviewed quarterly

Note: While we strive for accuracy, cost of living data can vary significantly within countries and cities. These comparisons should be used as a general guide, and we recommend conducting additional research for specific locations.

Lifestyle Impact

Understanding the cost of living differences between Benin and United Kingdom goes beyond just numbers. Here's how these differences might affect your daily life:

Daily Living

  • Grocery shopping habits and meal planning
  • Public transportation usage vs. car ownership
  • Frequency of dining out and entertainment
  • Healthcare access and insurance coverage
  • Housing choices and neighborhood selection

Long-term Planning

  • Savings and investment strategies
  • Retirement planning considerations
  • Education costs for children
  • Property ownership opportunities
  • Business and career development

Quality of Life Considerations

While cost of living is important, it's just one aspect of quality of life. Consider also:

  • Healthcare system quality and accessibility
  • Education system standards
  • Public safety and security
  • Environmental quality
  • Cultural and recreational opportunities
  • Work-life balance norms

Making the Most of Your Budget

Tips for adapting to cost of living differences:

  • Research local shopping habits and markets
  • Learn about public transportation options
  • Understand local tax systems and benefits
  • Explore community resources and discounts
  • Network with locals for insider tips

Local Insights for Benin vs United Kingdom

While both countries have similar overall costs, there are nuanced differences in how money is spent on daily necessities.

Cultural Cost Differences

Benin

  • Basic groceries tend to be more expensive, suggesting different shopping patterns.

United Kingdom

  • Lower fuel costs indicate different transportation infrastructure.

Seasonal Cost Variations

Both countries experience moderate seasonal variations in living costs, with prices typically higher during peak tourist seasons and major holidays.

Explore more

Cost of living in Benin Cost of living in United Kingdom

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