Skyline of Porto-Novo
Cost of Living: 36 300,000

Porto-Novo, Benin

Porto-Novo is a city in Benin with a population of 300,000.

Updated August 11, 2026
Cost of Living 36

Below Average vs Benin Avg (100)

Housing Index 32

Affordable

Median Income CFA 1,200,000

Household income

Unemployment 9.0%

Job market health

Porto-Novo vs Benin Average

Cost of Living
Porto-Novo: 36
Benin Avg: 100
Housing Index
Porto-Novo: 32
Benin Avg: 100
State Income Tax
Porto-Novo: 30%

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 30.0%
  • Sales Tax: 18.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: CFA 1,200,000
  • Unemployment: 9.0%
  • Population: 300,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 195/year
  • Summer High: 87°F
  • Winter Low: 74°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 7b

Housing

  • Median Home: CFA40,000
  • 1BR Rent: CFA250/mo

Cost of Living

Porto-Novo's cost of living index is 36 (Benin average = 100).

CategoryPorto-NovoNational AverageDifference
Overall36100-64.0%
Housing32100-68.0%

Data source: Numbeo, 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home PriceCFA40,000
Median Rent (1BR)CFA250/mo
Median Rent (2BR)CFA313/mo
Price per Sq FtCFA26

Data source: Numbeo, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

CFA
%
$90,000 down
%
%
CFA

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Porto-Novo:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
ElectricityCFA15000
Heating & CoolingN/AEstimated based on local climate.
Cooling (AC)CFA70Estimated based on local climate and electricity rates
WaterCFA5000Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)CFA10000Broadband average
Garbage / TrashIncluded in taxesMunicipal service (covered by property taxes)
Total UtilitiesCFA30070Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: National Utility Regulator, 2025

Remote Work Score

Porto-Novo scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
36
Rent
CFA250
Sunny Days
195
Tax
30%
Unemployment
9.0%
Climate
87°F / 74°F
Safety
1.3 homicides/100k
Population
300,000
Internet Speed
12 Mbps

Climate

Porto-Novo has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January94°F74°F2.5"
April72°F89°F2.8"
July87°F62°F1.5"
October67°F92°F2.2"
USDA Zone 7b

Mild — wide variety of vegetables, many fruit trees

Natural Hazards

Porto-Novo faces the following natural hazards:

Heat Wave High Risk

Extreme summer heat.

Earthquake Moderate Risk

Moderate seismic activity with occasional earthquakes.

Flood Moderate Risk

River and coastal flooding.

Drought Moderate Risk

Periodic drought conditions.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 30%
  • Sales Tax: 18%
  • Property Tax: ~0.1% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 9.0%.

Crime & Safety

Crime rates in Porto-Novo per 100,000 residents:

50.0
Violent Crime
50.0
Property Crime
1.3
Homicide

City-level crime data is not available for this location. The figure shown is the national average, which may differ significantly from actual conditions in this city.

Data source: UN Office on Drugs and Crime

Schools & Education

Total Schools

Academic Schedule

School Hours 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Academic Year October to July
Term System Trimester — 1st (Oct-Dec), 2nd (Jan-Apr), 3rd (May-Jul)
Summer Break July to October (12 weeks)
Winter Break December to January (2 weeks)
Spring Break Eid al-Fitr break (1-2 weeks)

French-influenced education system.

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Porto-Novo, Benin?

The cost of living index in Porto-Novo is 36, which is Lower the Benin national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Porto-Novo?

The median home price in Porto-Novo is CFA40,000. The housing index is 32.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Porto-Novo is approximately CFA250/mo.

Does Porto-Novo, Ouémé have income tax?

Porto-Novo is in Ouémé, which has an income tax rate of 30%.

What is the climate like in Porto-Novo?

Porto-Novo enjoys approximately 195 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 87°F, while winter lows can drop to around 74°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: Numbeo, 2026
  • Housing Data: Numbeo, 2026
  • Income & Employment: National Statistics, 2024
  • Utilities National Utility Regulator, 2025

Data last updated: August 12, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.