Lagos is the economic capital of Nigeria and one of the most expensive cities on the African continent. It is also a city of extreme contrasts — where a luxury apartment in Victoria Island costs as much as a flat in London, while a room in Mushin can be rented for ₦150,000 a year. Understanding the real cost of living in Lagos requires being specific about which Lagos you are talking about.
This guide covers realistic prices for rent, food, transport, utilities, school fees, and other major expenses in Lagos in 2026, broken down by area and lifestyle level.
Dollar reference: All prices below are in Nigerian naira (₦). At the April 2026 CBN rate of approximately ₦1,350 per dollar, you can divide any naira figure by 1,350 to get the USD equivalent. Check live dollar rate →
Rent is the single biggest expense for most Lagos residents. Lagos rent is typically paid annually (or sometimes 2 years in advance), which requires a large upfront amount. Monthly equivalent figures are given below for comparison.
| Area / Type | Annual Rent | Monthly Equiv. |
|---|---|---|
| Self-contain (1 room) — Mushin, Surulere (low income) | ₦180,000–₦350,000 | ₦15,000–₦29,000 |
| 1-bedroom flat — Surulere, Yaba, Gbagada | ₦600,000–₦1,200,000 | ₦50,000–₦100,000 |
| 2-bedroom flat — Surulere, Yaba, Gbagada | ₦1,000,000–₦2,000,000 | ₦83,000–₦167,000 |
| 2-bedroom flat — Lekki Phase 1, Ikeja GRA | ₦2,500,000–₦4,000,000 | ₦208,000–₦333,000 |
| 3-bedroom flat — Victoria Island, Ikoyi | ₦5,000,000–₦12,000,000 | ₦417,000–₦1,000,000 |
| Luxury apartment — Eko Atlantic, Banana Island | ₦15,000,000–₦50,000,000+ | ₦1,250,000+ |
Food costs in Lagos depend heavily on where you eat. Cooking at home from market ingredients is significantly cheaper than eating out at restaurants, even at mid-range establishments. Below are average prices across different eating options.
| Item | Approximate Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| Rice, beans, yam, garri (staples) | ₦12,000–₦18,000 |
| Tomatoes, peppers, onions, vegetables | ₦8,000–₦15,000 |
| Protein (chicken, fish, beef — occasional) | ₦15,000–₦25,000 |
| Cooking oil, seasoning, condiments | ₦4,000–₦6,000 |
| Bread, eggs, milk | ₦5,000–₦8,000 |
| Total — home cooking (1 person) | ₦44,000–₦72,000/month |
| Option | Cost Per Meal |
|---|---|
| Local buka (jollof rice + stew + protein) | ₦1,000–₦2,500 |
| Fast food (Chicken Republic, Mr Biggs, Tastee) | ₦2,500–₦5,000 |
| Mid-range restaurant | ₦5,000–₦15,000 |
| High-end restaurant (VI, Ikoyi) | ₦15,000–₦60,000+ |
Transport is a major daily expense for most Lagos residents. The city is notorious for traffic, and commuting times of 2–4 hours each way are not uncommon. Your transport cost depends heavily on where you live relative to where you work.
| Transport Option | Typical Daily Cost | Monthly Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Danfo (yellow bus) — short route | ₦200–₦500/trip | ₦8,000–₦15,000 |
| BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) | ₦200–₦600/trip | ₦8,000–₦18,000 |
| Okada (motorcycle) — short distance | ₦300–₦800/trip | ₦12,000–₦20,000 |
| Bolt/Uber (regular) | ₦1,500–₦5,000/trip | ₦30,000–₦80,000 |
| Personal car (fuel + maintenance) | ₦2,000–₦4,000/day fuel | ₦50,000–₦100,000+ |
| Ferry (Lagos waterways) | ₦500–₦2,000/trip | ₦15,000–₦40,000 |
| Utility | Monthly Cost (Estimate) |
|---|---|
| EKEDC/IKEDC electricity (metered, average usage) | ₦15,000–₦35,000 |
| Generator fuel (diesel, 4–6 hours/day) | ₦30,000–₦60,000 |
| Water (borehole/tanker, most areas) | ₦5,000–₦15,000 |
| Internet (fibre — Spectranet, Smile, Airtel) | ₦10,000–₦30,000 |
| Mobile data (1–5GB bundles) | ₦3,000–₦10,000 |
Note that most Lagos residents rely heavily on generators due to erratic power supply. Generator fuel costs are often one of the larger utility bills, especially in areas with worse grid power. This is a real and significant additional cost that is easy to underestimate when budgeting.
Based on the cost data above, here is a rough guide: to live very modestly in Lagos as a single person (shared apartment, public transport, home cooking), you need a minimum of ₦150,000–₦200,000 per month. To live independently and comfortably in a decent area, budget ₦300,000–₦500,000 per month. For a comfortable middle-class lifestyle in a good area of Lagos, a household income of ₦600,000–₦1,000,000+ per month is realistic.
Use the NaijaHub free salary calculator to see exactly what your take-home pay is after PAYE tax and pension deductions, so you can compare it against these cost estimates accurately.
Lagos is consistently Nigeria's most expensive city. Abuja (the federal capital) is the second most expensive, particularly for rent in the central districts. Cities like Port Harcourt, Ibadan, Kano, and Enugu offer significantly lower living costs — particularly for rent — while salaries in the formal sector can be broadly comparable depending on the industry and employer.