Cost Of Living For a Single Person in Lebanon 2025

Single person cost of living chart - individual average monthly expenditure in Lebanon

Average Monthly Expenditure

Currency: USD
140 960 6,400
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Average monthly spending for a single person or individual in Lebanon

How much money does an individual need in a month to survive in Lebanon?

A single person in Lebanon spends around 960 USD per month on average. Depending on the lifestyle, a single individual can survive with a monthly budget as low as 140 USD or as high as 6,400 USD. Location and income are very important factors and have a huge influence on expenditure and budget.

Prices and cost of goods and services in Lebanon

Chart showing the prices and cost of grocery, food, restaurant meals, market, and beverages in Lebanon

Dining, food, and beverages costs


Fast food combo meal

1.5 USD 2.9 USD 4.8 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Restaurant meal for one

4.8 USD 7.3 USD 15 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Fine dining meal for one

9.7 USD 15 USD 58 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Cappuccino or latte

1.2 USD 1.9 USD 2.9 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Grocery and market costs


Milk large bottle

0.97 USD 1.2 USD 1.5 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

12 eggs

0.73 USD 0.97 USD 1.5 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Fresh whole chicken

1.7 USD 2.1 USD 3 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Pack of beef

1.9 USD 2.9 USD 5.8 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Medium bag of rice

0.78 USD 1.1 USD 1.5 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Bag of tomatos

0.29 USD 0.39 USD 0.73 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Bag of apples

0.52 USD 0.68 USD 1.1 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Chart showing the prices and cost of commute, travel, and transportation in Lebanon

Commute, travel, and transportation costs


20 minutes taxi ride

1.2 USD 1.5 USD 2.9 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Average car full tank

7.3 USD 9.7 USD 19 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Average car 1-day rental

7.3 USD 9.7 USD 15 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Average car price

3,600 USD 7,300 USD 9,700 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Bus ticket one way

0.24 USD 0.36 USD 0.73 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Car Service

9.7 USD 15 USD 29 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Chart showing the prices and cost of utility, energy, water, and gas for a single person in Lebanon

Utility cost (monthly)


Utility Bill - Individual

8.2 USD 58 USD 380 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Internet and cable

7.3 USD 15 USD 19 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Mobile phone charges

5.8 USD 9.7 USD 29 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Leisure and activities costs


Movie ticket

3.6 USD 4.8 USD 7.3 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

One month gym membership

12 USD 15 USD 29 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Chart showing the prices and cost of clothing and accessories in Lebanon

Cloths and accessories costs


Pair of jeans or pants

8.5 USD 12 USD 18 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Woman dress

8.1 USD 11 USD 36 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Woman shoes

7.6 USD 10 USD 24 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Men's shoes

6.6 USD 8.1 USD 16 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Men suit

7.3 USD 9.1 USD 48 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Regular t-shirt

3.6 USD 4.8 USD 15 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Chart showing the prices and cost of housing, accommodation, and rent in Lebanon

Housing costs / monthly rent


Studio apartment

120 USD 180 USD 480 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

1-bedroom apartment

180 USD 290 USD 730 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

2-bedroom apartment

240 USD 360 USD 970 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Housing costs / Buying


Studio apartment

24,000 USD 36,000 USD 73,000 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

1-bedroom apartment

29,000 USD 48,000 USD 180,000 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

2-bedroom apartment

48,000 USD 150,000 USD 290,000 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Chart showing the prices and cost of furniture in Lebanon

Furniture Costs


King Size Bed

150 USD 180 USD 240 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Double Bed

97 USD 150 USD 180 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Single Bed

85 USD 110 USD 150 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Living Room

160 USD 210 USD 730 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Dining Table

73 USD 97 USD 180 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Sofa or Couch

97 USD 130 USD 290 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Chart showing the prices and cost of electronic devices and appliances in Lebanon

Electronics and House Appliance Costs


TV Set

97 USD 150 USD 290 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Fridge or Freezer

85 USD 130 USD 180 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Washing Machine

110 USD 160 USD 290 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Stove or Cooker

100 USD 130 USD 180 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Mobile Phone

120 USD 150 USD 210 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Laptop or Computer

130 USD 160 USD 290 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Single person or Individual cost of living and expenditure to income ratio in Lebanon

Single person expenditure to income ratio in Lebanon

Analysing the how affordable it is for an individual to live in Lebanon

One of the most definite ways to determine how affordable a place is measuring the ratio of expenses to salary. A high expense-to-income to ratio indicates a high cost-of-living index while a low expenditure-to-salary ratio means the place is affordable to live in. Individuals usually spend a larger chunk of their income than other population groups. A typical and healthy expenditure percentage for a single individual ranges between 70% to 80%.


Spending to Income Ratio

75%

68% to 84%

( expenditure / income ) x 100


Individuals in Lebanon spend around 75% of their monthly income. Some individuals spend as low as 68% of their income while some as high as 84%.

A typical and healthy budgeting structure. The 50-30-20 rule

A typical and healthy budgeting structure

The 50/30/20 rule

Spending among different people can vary significantly based on factors such as their income, lifestyle, location, and personal preferences. A commonly used guideline for budgeting is the 50/30/20 rule, which suggests allocating your income into three main categories in the following percentages.

  • 50% for needs and financial obligations

    This category includes essential expenses like housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, and healthcare.

  • 30% for wants and discretionary spending

    This category covers discretionary spending on non-essential items, such as dining out, entertainment, travel, and other lifestyle choices.

  • 20% for savings and emergency fund

    This is the percentage that must be allocated to savings, emergency funds, and retirement accounts.

About financial planning, money management, and household budgeting

The 50/30/20 rule is used as a general guideline but may not be the best choice for all people. There are in fact many budgeting plans out there like the 70/20/10 and the 60/20/20 rules, all claiming to be the best. More important than all of this is to establish financial discipline by creating a budget tailored to your specific financial goals and situation. It is very important that your financial outflow be less than your income to maintain a healthy cash flow.

Distribution of monthly cost of living expenses of a single person in Lebanon

How do individuals spend their money in Lebanon?

We asked thousands of individuals about their spending habits and expenditure break down.


The percentage figures in this section are percentages of total spending not income. If you would like to see the percentage of expenses as related to income or salary, see other sections.

Housing and accomodation expenditure for individuals

Accomodation Cost33%

33% of total expenses on average (21% to 45%)

LOW49 USD
AVERAGE350 USD
HIGH2,300 USD
Per Month

Individuals in Lebanon typically spend from 21% to 45% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 33% being the average. The average monthly spend on housing is 350 USD with expenditure ranging from 49 USD to 2,300 USD. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses.

Electricity, utilities, energy, water, internet, and mobile expenditure for individuals

Cost of utilities7%

7% of total expenses on average (3% to 12%)

LOW8.2 USD
AVERAGE58 USD
HIGH380 USD
Per Month

Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Lebanon ranges from 3% to 12% of total expenses with 7% being the average for most individuals. The average monthly cost of utilities is 58 USD with 8.2 USD and 380 USD being the upper and lower limits for a single person.

Transport, fuel, and commute expenditure for individuals

Cost of transport and fuel6%

6% of total expenses on average (4% to 12%)

LOW11 USD
AVERAGE77 USD
HIGH510 USD
Per Month

Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether a single person resides near school and work, but roughly speaking a single person would expect to spend from 11 USD to 510 USD in a month on commuting with 77 USD being the norm for most individuals. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 6% of total spending on average but can go as low as 4% or as high as 12%.

Food, groceries, and basic shopping expenditure for individuals

Food and Groceries Cost18%

18% of total expenses on average (12% to 23%)

LOW22 USD
AVERAGE150 USD
HIGH1,000 USD
Per Month

The average outlay on groceries and basic houshold items for a typical person in a month in Lebanon is 150 USD. The cost of groceries can range between 22 USD to 1,000 USD. Individuals spend on average about 18% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 12% and 23% respectively.

Healthcare and medical services expenditure for individuals

Cost of healthcare11%

11% of total expenses on average (5% to 15%)

LOW12 USD
AVERAGE87 USD
HIGH580 USD
Per Month

Individuals in Lebanon allocate 5% to 15% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending on medical services and clinic visits is around 11%. The range of medical expenses range from 12 USD to 580 USD with 87 USD being the norm for most individuals.

Leisure and shopping expenditure for individuals

Cost of leisure and shopping4%

4% of total expenses on average (3% to 7%)

LOW6.8 USD
AVERAGE48 USD
HIGH320 USD
Per Month

This category mostly contains discretionary or non-essential expenses but also some non-discretionary spending like furniture for example. The monthly expenses range from 6.8 USD to 320 USD with 48 USD being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 3% to 7% of total expenses with an average of 4% for most individuals.

Education and schooling expenditure for individuals

Cost of education and schooling2%

2% of total expenses on average (1% to 4%)

LOW2.7 USD
AVERAGE19 USD
HIGH130 USD
Per Month

Spending on education can vary drastically between different individuals. On average, education constitutes 2% of the monthly expenditure of individuals with 1% and 4% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 19 USD per month with 2.7 USD being the minimum spent amount and 130 USD being the maximum.

Other Expenses20%

20% of total expenses on average (12% to 24%)

LOW24 USD
AVERAGE170 USD
HIGH1,200 USD
Per Month
Percentage of individuals who manage to save money from their income every month in Lebanon

What percentage of individuals in Lebanon are able to save money and how much can they save?


Percentage of individuals that reported their ability to save money


Saving Money
66%
Not Saving
34%

Almost 66% of surveyed individuals in Lebanon said that they can save some money at the end of each month while 34% reported that they have to utilize their whole income to survive.


A single person savings to income ratio in Lebanon

Savings-to-Income Ratio

The savings-to-income ratio is measured as the percentage of income that people save over a specific period and it is simply calculated by dividing the saved money by total income and then multiplying the result by 100. (Savings / Income) x 100.


How much money do individuals manage to add to their savings?

The amount of money that people can afford to save depends hugely on their income. It is better to focus on the percentage when trying to understand saving patterns.

Saving to Income Ratio

15% 25% of income 34%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Average Monthly Saved Amount

38 USD
$38
340 USD
$340
2,300 USD
$2,300
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Savings to income distribution levels for individuals

Saving To Income Ratio% Individuals
0% - 10%28%
10% - 20%22%
20% - 30%16%
30% - 40%17%
40% - 50%13%
> 50%4%

Interpretation and Analysis

Individuals that are able to save money can put anywhere from 15% to 34% of their monthly income to their savings, with 25% being the average for most individuals. The average monthly amount of money that individuals can put aside is 340 USD with 38 USD and 2,300 USD being the minimum and maximum respectively.

Reasons that make it difficult for individuals to save money in Lebanon

Saving Challenges in Lebanon

Reasons that make it difficult for individuals to save money

We wanted to understand what is stopping people from maximizing their savings in Lebanon. Listed below are the answers given by the survey participants.


Reason% People
Low Income6%
High Expenses9%
Debt and Loans18%
Lack of Budgeting Skills10%
Impulsive Spending9%
Financial Emergencies6%
Living the moment7%
Will do it later17%
Inflation10%
Social Pressure3%
Market Instability3%

Around 6% of the individuals said that their salary is too low to accommodate a portion for savings while 9% said that the high cost of living leaves little room for savings. 18% of the residents said that they are burdened with debt and find it challenging to save money. 10% reported that they just don't have the knowledge or discipline to create and stick to a budget, leading to overspending and an inability to save. 9% of individuals blamed impulsive spending as the reason for saving inability. Around 6% said that unexpected expenses like medical bills or car repairs are derailing their savings goals. 7% bluntly said that they don't see the purpose of it and prefer to live each day to the fullest. 17% reported that they understand the value of saving but are putting off saving for the future, thinking they have plenty of time to start later. 10% blamed inflation, saying that every time they save some money they end up using it immediately. A surprising 3% said that social pressure and keeping up with peers or social expectations makes them overspend. Lastly, 3% blamed market instability and price fluctuations.

Emergency Funds For Individuals

An emergency fund is a financial safety net comprised of easily accessible savings set aside to cover unexpected expenses or financial emergencies, typically amounting to three to six months' worth of living expenses. We asked individuals whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.

Yes61%

No39%


Based on the survey, 39% of the individuals living in Lebanon said that they don't have an emergency fund while 61% said that they do.

Where do individuals choose to put their savings in Lebanon

Typical saving choices for individuals in Lebanon

Where do people choose to put their savings?


Saving Type% People
Emergency Funds11%
Gold10%
Savings Accounts17%
Retirement Accounts11%
Cash Savings16%
Real Estate10%
Investment6%
Stocks6%
Bonds6%
Mutual Funds3%
Certificates of Deposit3%
Income and cost of living compatibility. Is it affordable or economical for individuals to live in Lebanon

Affordable living in Lebanon

Income and cost of living compatibility

We asked individuals one simple question and recorded their answers.

Is it affordable or economical to live in Lebanon?


Yes
64%
No
36%

Around 64% of surveyed individuals think that living in Lebanon is affordable with proper budgeting while 36% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.

How easily is cost-cutting for individuals. Are there plenty of low-cost options in Lebanon

Low-cost alternatives in Lebanon

People are always looking for ways to cut down expenses and reduce expenditures. The hallmark of any affordable place is the availability of discount stores, bargain deals, smart or secondhand shopping, refurbished items, and couponing. We asked individuals how easily cost-cutting is and the answers were distributed as follows:

Plenty of low-cost options57%

Few low-cost options43%


Based on the survey, 57% of the individuals living in Lebanon have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 43% think that thriftness is difficult due to scarcity in discount markets and secondhand outlets.

Housing and accommodation affordability, property price to income ratio, rent to income ratio, and housing affordability index chart in Lebanon

Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Lebanon

Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.


Rent Cost in Lebanon

Monthly Rent Prices

Studio apartment monthly rent cost

120 USD 180 USD 480 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

180 USD 290 USD 730 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

240 USD 360 USD 970 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

290 USD 480 USD 1,300 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Furnished apartment monthly rent cost

580 USD 1,500 USD 2,900 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Townhouse monthly rent cost

480 USD 730 USD 2,100 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

House monthly rent cost

580 USD 1,500 USD 2,900 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Villa monthly rent cost

730 USD 1,800 USD 2,900 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Lebanon ranges between 120 USD and 480 USD, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 180 USD to 730 USD. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 240 USD and 970 USD per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 290 USD to 1,300 USD. The average rent of a townhouse in Lebanon is around 730 USD while house rental costs can be as high as 1,500 USD per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 730 USD to 2,900 USD per month.



Apartment and house prices in Lebanon

Cost of buying a property

Studio apartment price

24,000 USD 36,000 USD 73,000 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

1-bedroom apartment price

29,000 USD 48,000 USD 180,000 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

2-bedroom apartment price

48,000 USD 150,000 USD 290,000 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

3-bedroom apartment price

160,000 USD 240,000 USD 730,000 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Townhouse price

210,000 USD 480,000 USD 1.8M USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

House price

240,000 USD 1.5M USD 2.1M USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Villa price

290,000 USD 1.6M USD 2.4M USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The average price of a studio apartment in Lebanon can range from 24,000 USD to 73,000 USD depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 29,000 USD to 180,000 USD. A villa can cost you 1.6M USD on average with prices ranging from 290,000 USD to 2.4M USD.


If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Lebanon will probably constitute your biggest expenditure, yet it's an area where you wield considerable influence. This is due to the substantial variance in housing prices across communities. Keep in mind the location of your workplace and the accessibility of essential amenities to prevent negating the savings from lower rental rates with increased transportation expenses.

House / apartment prices to income ratio


Property price to income ratio

( average property price / average monthly income ) x 100


41 x120 monthly income 212
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Property prices in Lebanon can be x120 to x212 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x120 multiples of the average monthly salary in Lebanon.



Rent to income ratio


Rent to income ratio

( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100


22% 32% of income 42%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The average rent-to-income ratio in Lebanon is around 32%. This means that people pay 32% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 22% to 42% depending on the salary, location, and type of property.


The housing-to-income ratio is a very important metric to evaluate and measure how affordable living is in a particular area, city, or country since housing comprises the biggest chunk of expenditure. A higher housing to income ratio means that the place is relatively expensive. The figure by itself does tell much. It only starts to make sense when comparing the housing to income ratio across different locations.

Housing affordability index

The housing affordability index measures how affordable accommodation is in a particular place. This can measured in multiple ways, the most common being housing expenditure to total expenditure ratio and the rent to income ratio. The housing expenditure ratio is a figure reported by individuals on the percentage they allocate for housing. Rent to income ratio is calculated by dividing the average monthly rent by the average income. Because these values are both percentages, we can find their average and get the best of the two worlds.

Housing Affordability Index
30%

Property Taxes

Real estate owners pay property taxes to local tax authorities, which are determined by the assessed value of their property. Typically, these taxes are paid once a year. Property tax funds contribute to community development, financing infrastructure improvements, public services, and local education initiatives.


FROM
2.2%
AVERAGE
3.2%
TO
4.2%

Home Maintenance Costs

Home maintenance costs encompass various expenses associated with the upkeep and repair of a residence. These expenditures include regular tasks such as lawn care, pest control, and HVAC system servicing, as well as occasional repairs and renovations like fixing leaks, painting, or replacing appliances.


2.1 USD 28 USD 280 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Urban vs. rural living costs

Urban living typically entails higher housing and transportation costs due to demand and limited space, while rural areas generally offer lower housing expenses but may have higher prices for goods and services. The differnce in rental rates between urban areas and rural areas can be as high as 300% in some cases.

Financial literacy and difficulty in budgeting and financial planning for individuals in Lebanon

Financial Literacy in

Financial literacy is the knowledge of concepts and principles related to personal finance that allow individuals to make informed decisions regarding their money such as budgeting, saving, investing, borrowing, managing debt, financial risk management, and planning.

Financial Leteracy59%


We asked individuals in Lebanon whether they acquired any adequate personal financial training in their lives. Approximately 41% of the people who participated in the survey said that they are not well informed about the topics of budgeting, saving, etc., and just manage things based on their own experience, while 59% said that they know about the general principles of personal finance from sources other than their own experience.


Difficulty in Budgeting and Financial Planning

We wanted to understand whether single people of have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so we asked people one simple question: do you struggle with your personal finances? 40% of the participants reported that they indeed struggle in creating budgets and in organizing their finances while 60% said that they have everything under control.

Struggles with finance40%

Easily manages finances60%

Financial goals and targets of single people living in Lebanon

Financial goals of individuals in Lebanon

In an attempt to understand the economic situation in Lebanon, we asked participants about their financial targets. By knowing what the population in general is trying to achieve, we can shed light on the economic outlook, cost of living, and quality of life in general.


Financial Goal% People
Emergency Fund7%
Debt Reduction32%
Retirement Savings7%
Education Funding8%
Homeownership17%
Investing9%
Travel or Lifestyle11%
Healthcare Expenses9%
Financial Independence9%

Around 7% of individuals said that their main goal is to establish an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses while 32% said their number one priority is to pay off high-interest debt or loans and improve credit. 7% of surveyed people confirmed that saving for retirement to ensure a comfortable lifestyle in the final years is their main target. Around 8% reported that their priority is saving for the tuition fees and education costs of their children while 17% choose to buy a home or pay off existing mortgage before other things. 9% of the population would like to build wealth through investments such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or real estate. For 11% of people, saving for vacations or upgrading their lifestyle is the number one concern. Approximately 9% of the residents said that saving for healthcare expenses including insurance premiums is their main goal.

Chart showing the percentage of individuals who are in debt in Lebanon

Debt, loans, and mortgages in Lebanon


Percentage of individuals who are in debt


In Debt
30%
Debt Free
70%

According to the survey, 30% of the individuals in Lebanon have some kind of debt, loan, mortgage, or credit card payments while 70% reported that they don't have financial obligations to banks.


Chart showing debt-to-income ratio in Lebanon

Debt-to-income ratio in Lebanon

Debt to income ratio

28%

19% to 38%

( monthly debt payment / monthly income ) x 100

Interpretation

The debt-to-income ratio measures the percentage of income being paid as debt settlement across the population. It is calculated by dividing the monthly debt settlement payment of an individual by their monthly income. Based on collected data, approximately 28% of a single person's monthly income in Lebanon goes to debt settlement.


Debt levels

Monthly debt settlement payment as percentage of monthly income

Debt-to-income ratio% People
> 60%3%
50% - 60%11%
40% - 50%11%
30% - 40%13%
20% - 30%15%
10% - 20%19%
0% - 10%28%

According to our data, 3% of the debtors in Lebanon pay 60%+ of their income as debt settlement while 11% of the people pay 50% to 60% of their income for the same, which is quite an alarming financial situation for those individuals. 11% of people in debt dedicate 40% to 50% of their income to loan and mortgage payments while 13% dedicated 30% to 40% of income for same. Things are looking brighter for 15% of individuals as they only pay 20% to 30% of their income for loan and credit card repayment.


Distribution by type of debt in Lebanon

Debt% People
Real Estate Mortgage13%
Auto Loan23%
Student Loan3%
Credit Card25%
Personal Loan36%

13% of debtors in Lebanon confirm that real estate mortgages constitutes the main part of their outstanding debt while 25% say that credit card payments are the reason they are in debt. Auto loans were the main type of debt for 23% of people and personal loans rose at 36%. Lastly, student loans are the main source of debt for 3% of debtors in Lebanon.


About credit score and debt management

Managing debt is a critical aspect of maintaining a favorable credit score. Debt reduction is the first thing you should do improve your financial situation. Getting rid of debt takes precedence over saving money because of interest rates.

Good debt vs. Bad debt

Not all debt is bad. Good debt typically refers to borrowing money for investments that can increase in value or generate income over time like purchasing a home or acquiring student loans. On the other hand, bad debt involves borrowing for things that fail to generate lasting value like high-interest credit card debt used for non-essential expenses like luxury items or vacations.


Loan Affordability Index in Lebanon

Besides measuring the loan-to-income ratio, we asked individuals how many times in a year they defaulted or were unable to pay their due credit card or loan payments on time. Understanding how often people default on their due payments is one of the indicators of the cost of living and economic situation.

Frequency and percentage of people who failed to pay their monthly credit card or loan payments on time last year.

Frequency% People
Never55%
Once a year22%
Twice a year11%
Three times a year8%
Four times a year4%

Monthly costs and expenses of energy and basic utilities in Lebanon

Utilities expenditure can vary slightly between different areas and locations.


Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Lebanon

Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / A single person

8.2 USD 58 USD 380 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Internet and cable cost

7.3 USD 15 USD 19 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Mobile phone bill and charges

5.8 USD 9.7 USD 29 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Because most utility bills club electricity, water, and gas costs in one bill, we can't provide a breakup for each type of utility and will display electricity, gas, and water as single cost.


The average monthly energy and water consumption of individuals is around 58 USD. The cost of internet and WiFi ranges from 7.3 USD to 19 USD with 15 USD being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 9.7 USD but can range between 5.8 USD and 29 USD depending on consumption. Mobile charges include both calling minutes as well as data packages.


Energy / Utility expense to income ratio


( monthly utility expenses / monthly income ) x 100


2% 5% of income 9%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The average utility-to-income ratio in Lebanon is around 5%. This means that people pay 5% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 2% to 9% depending on salary and location.

Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Lebanon

Grocery / Food expenditure and prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.


Prices and cost of goods and services in Lebanon

Dining out, food, and beverages costs. Price variations for common food items.

Fast food combo meal price

1.5 USD 2.9 USD 4.8 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The average price of a regular combo meal at a fast food outlet or chain like McDonald's, Pizzahut, or KFC in Lebanon is approximatly 2.9 USD with meal cost ranging from 1.5 USD to 4.8 USD. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.

Restaurant meal for one price

4.8 USD 7.3 USD 15 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 4.8 USD and 15 USD with 7.3 USD being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Lebanon.

Fine dining meal for one price

9.7 USD 15 USD 58 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 9.7 USD to 58 USD with the average cost being 15 USD for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Lebanon.

Beverage prices, cappuccino, latte etc..

1.2 USD 1.9 USD 2.9 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The average price of a regular beverage like cappuccino or latte at Starbucks, Costa, or similar coffee shops and cafes in Lebanon is around 1.9 USD. Price ranges between 1.2 USD and 2.9 USD depending on the type of beverage, the size, and optional add-ons.



Grocery and market costs

Large bottle of milk price

0.97 USD 1.2 USD 1.5 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The average price of a large bottle of milk in Lebanon is 1.2 USD. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 1.5 USD and the minimum being 0.97 USD depending on the brand of milk and other properties.

12 eggs price

0.73 USD 0.97 USD 1.5 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

A dozen eggs costs around 0.97 USD on average with 0.73 USD and 1.5 USD being the lower and upper limits respectively.

Fresh whole chicken price

1.7 USD 2.1 USD 3 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Lebanon is between 1.7 USD and 3 USD depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 2.1 USD.

Pack of beef price

1.9 USD 2.9 USD 5.8 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 2.9 USD. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.

Medium bag of rice price

0.78 USD 1.1 USD 1.5 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

A bag of rice in Lebanon costs around 1.1 USD on average with prices rangeing between 0.78 USD and 1.5 USD depending on the brand and quality.

Bag of tomatos price

0.29 USD 0.39 USD 0.73 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 0.29 USD to 0.73 USD. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.

Bag of apples price

0.52 USD 0.68 USD 1.1 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

A bag of apples costs 0.68 USD on average. A bag of apples denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.


Grocery and food expenditure to income ratio


( monthly grocery expenses / monthly income ) x 100


18% 26% of income 32%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The average grocery-to-income ratio in Lebanon is around 26%. This means that individuals spend 26% of their income on grocery and basic household items. The expenditure can range from 18% to 32% depending on salary and location.


Expenditure on food and grocery for individuals

Individuals' spending on grocery ranges from 22 USD to 1,000 USD with the location, income being the most determinite factors.

Beirut  
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