Quality of life comparison

compared to

If you lived in Lebanon instead of California, you would:

Economy

be 2.2 times more likely to be unemployed

In California, 5.1% of the labor force is unemployed as of 2025. In Lebanon, that number is 11.0% as of 2023.

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make 94.7% less money

California has a GDP per capita of $84,028 as of 2024, while in Lebanon, the GDP per capita is $4,473 as of 2024.

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Basic Needs

be 12.9% less likely to have internet access

In California, approximately 92.6% of the population has internet access as of 2023. In Lebanon, about 80.6% do as of 2024.

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Sources: World Bank (2023–2024), Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025), Bureau of Economic Analysis (2024), US Census Bureau (American Community Survey) (2023). How we calculate this

Compare further: California vs. Lebanon

Cost of Living Comparison · 7 categories - 2026 data
Lebanon is 52.0% cheaper than California
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Size Comparison · See true size
California is about 39 times bigger than Lebanon.
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Moving from California to Lebanon · Cost, visas & climate
Compare cost of living, salary and climate.
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Lebanon: At a glance

Lebanon is a sovereign country in Middle East, with a total land area of approximately 10,230 sq km. Following World War I, France acquired a mandate over the northern portion of the former Ottoman Empire province of Syria. The French demarcated the region of Lebanon in 1920 and granted this area independence in 1943. Since independence the country has been marked by periods of political turmoil interspersed with prosperity built on its position as a regional center for finance and trade. The country's 1975-90 civil war that resulted in an estimated 120,000 fatalities, was followed by years of social and political instability. Sectarianism is a key element of Lebanese political life. Neighboring Syria has long influenced Lebanon's foreign policy and internal policies, and its military occupied Lebanon from 1976 until 2005. The Lebanon-based Hizballah militia and Israel continued attacks and counterattacks against each other after Syria's withdrawal, and fought a brief war in 2006. Lebanon's borders with Syria and Israel remain unresolved.
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How big is Lebanon compared to California? See an in-depth size comparison.

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