Porto-Novo skyline

🇧🇯Cost of Living in Porto-Novo

Benin · Population: 270,000 · Cost Index: 26/100

Cost of Living in Porto-Novo

Benin · Africa

Porto-Novo is the official capital of Benin, known for its colonial-era architecture and the Ethnographic Museum housed in a former Portuguese fort. The city offers a very low cost of living with bustling local markets and a laid-back West African atmosphere.

270,000

Population

26

Cost Index

50

Safety Index

38

Quality of Life

Average Monthly Cost: $420 (single person, excluding rent)

Cost Breakdown

Housing

Avg: $147.50
1-Bedroom Apartment (City Center)(per month)
$120.00
1-Bedroom Apartment (Outside Center)(per month)
$70.00
3-Bedroom Apartment (City Center)(per month)
$250.00
3-Bedroom Apartment (Outside Center)(per month)
$150.00

Food & Groceries

Avg: $3.35
Meal at Inexpensive Restaurant(per meal)
$2.00
Meal for 2 at Mid-Range Restaurant(per meal)
$15.00
McMeal at McDonald's(per meal)
$5.00
Milk (1 liter)(per liter)
$1.40
Bread (500g loaf)(per loaf)
$0.40
Rice (1 kg)(per kg)
$0.90
Eggs (12)(per dozen)
$1.50
Chicken Breast (1 kg)(per kg)
$4.00
Apples (1 kg)(per kg)
$2.50
Banana (1 kg)(per kg)
$0.80

Transportation

Avg: $3.46
Monthly Public Transit Pass(per month)
$15.00
One-Way Ticket (Local Transport)(per trip)
$0.30
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)(base fare)
$0.50
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)(per km)
$0.40
Gasoline (1 liter)(per liter)
$1.10

Utilities

Avg: $29.33
Basic Utilities (85m² Apartment)(per month)
$45.00
Mobile Phone Plan(per month)
$8.00
Internet (60 Mbps+)(per month)
$35.00

Healthcare

Avg: $8.00
Doctor Visit(per visit)
$8.00
Dentist Visit(per visit)
$12.00
Prescription Medicine (avg)(per prescription)
$4.00

Entertainment

Avg: $6.43
Fitness Club Monthly(per month)
$20.00
Cinema Ticket(per ticket)
$3.00
Cappuccino(per cup)
$1.50
Beer (0.5l) at Restaurant(per glass)
$1.20

Clothing

Avg: $31.67
Pair of Jeans (Levi's)(per pair)
$30.00
Summer Dress (Chain Store)(per item)
$15.00
Running Shoes (Nike, Adidas)(per pair)
$50.00

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Quick Facts

Currency
XOF
Language
French
Cost Index
26/100
Safety Index
50/100
Quality of Life
38/100

Data last updated: 2026-01-15. Prices are approximate and shown in USD.