Real monthly budgets for Lagos, Abuja and Kano — rent, food, transport, utilities and what your salary actually buys you today.
The cost of living in Nigeria has risen sharply since 2023, driven by the removal of the petrol subsidy, the naira devaluation, and persistent food inflation. Between January 2024 and April 2026, the consumer price index rose by over 45%, meaning a lifestyle that cost ₦300,000 per month two years ago now requires roughly ₦435,000 to maintain.
For Nigerians earning in naira, this has been deeply painful. For those earning in foreign currency — whether through remittances, remote work, or business — the weak naira has paradoxically improved purchasing power. A dollar that bought ₦800 in early 2023 now buys over ₦1,500, making dollar-denominated income go significantly further in local terms.
This guide uses verified April 2026 prices sourced from Lagos, Abuja and Kano markets, major real estate platforms, and transport operators. All prices are in Nigerian Naira (₦).
Lagos is Nigeria's commercial capital and its most expensive city. Home to over 15 million people, it offers the widest range of job opportunities but demands the highest cost of living. Below is a realistic monthly budget for a single working professional living modestly in Lagos in 2026.
For a professional renting in Lekki Phase 1, Yaba or Ikeja GRA, with a car and a more comfortable lifestyle, expect to budget between ₦650,000 and ₦1,100,000 per month. The biggest drivers of this jump are rent (₦250,000–₦450,000/month for a 2-bedroom in these areas) and fuel costs for a personal car (₦80,000–₦150,000/month including generator).
Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, is Nigeria's second most expensive city and is home to government workers, diplomats, and a growing tech and business community. It is generally cleaner, more planned, and less congested than Lagos — but rent is often higher, and the city is far less walkable, making a car or consistent ride-hailing almost essential.
For a comfortable lifestyle in Abuja's central areas — Wuse 2, Maitama, Garki, or Gwarinpa — monthly costs rise to ₦700,000–₦1,500,000, primarily driven by rent (₦350,000–₦600,000/month for a 2-bedroom in these districts) and transport.
Kano is Nigeria's second largest city by population and the commercial capital of the North. It is significantly more affordable than Lagos or Abuja, making it an attractive base for those whose work is location-flexible. Food prices are generally lower, rent is dramatically cheaper, and transport within the city is inexpensive.
Here is a side-by-side comparison of monthly living costs across the three cities for a single working professional with a modest lifestyle:
| Expense | Lagos | Abuja | Kano |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1-bed, modest area) | ₦120,000 | ₦100,000 | ₦45,000 |
| Food (home cooking) | ₦80,000 | ₦70,000 | ₦55,000 |
| Transport (no car) | ₦45,000 | ₦55,000 | ₦20,000 |
| Utilities (power + water) | ₦35,000 | ₦30,000 | ₦25,000 |
| Data & Phone | ₦15,000 | ₦15,000 | ₦12,000 |
| Personal & Health | ₦40,000 | ₦35,000 | ₦25,000 |
| Entertainment | ₦20,000 | ₦20,000 | ₦10,000 |
| Total (Monthly) | ₦355,000 | ₦325,000 | ₦192,000 |
| USD Equivalent | ~$237 | ~$217 | ~$128 |
Rent is the single largest expense for most Nigerians and the cost that varies most dramatically by location. Understanding how the rental market works in Nigeria is essential before relocating or budgeting.
Key thing to know: Most Nigerian landlords demand rent in advance — typically 1 to 2 years upfront. This means if you agree on ₦120,000 per month, you may need to pay ₦1,440,000 (or ₦2,880,000 for two years) before moving in. This is a significant upfront burden and one of the main financial barriers to relocating.
| Area / Type | Monthly Equivalent | Typical Advance |
|---|---|---|
| Lagos — Self-contained, Ikorodu/Mushin | ₦60,000–₦90,000 | 1–2 years |
| Lagos — 1-bed flat, Surulere/Yaba | ₦100,000–₦150,000 | 1–2 years |
| Lagos — 2-bed flat, Lekki Phase 1 | ₦250,000–₦450,000 | 1 year |
| Abuja — 1-bed, Kubwa/Lugbe | ₦70,000–₦120,000 | 1–2 years |
| Abuja — 2-bed, Gwarinpa/Wuse 2 | ₦200,000–₦500,000 | 1 year |
| Kano — 2-bed flat, Nassarawa | ₦35,000–₦70,000 | 1–2 years |
| Port Harcourt — 1-bed, GRA | ₦80,000–₦180,000 | 1 year |
Food inflation has been one of the harshest aspects of the Nigerian cost of living crisis. Between 2023 and 2026, staple food prices have risen 60–90% in naira terms. Here is a snapshot of current market prices for key staples as of April 2026:
| Item | Lagos | Abuja | Kano |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rice (50kg bag) | ₦85,000 | ₦88,000 | ₦72,000 |
| Beans (50kg) | ₦65,000 | ₦68,000 | ₦58,000 |
| Palm oil (25 litres) | ₦38,000 | ₦42,000 | ₦35,000 |
| Chicken (whole, avg) | ₦12,000 | ₦13,000 | ₦10,500 |
| Eggs (crate of 30) | ₦4,800 | ₦5,000 | ₦4,200 |
| Bread (standard loaf) | ₦1,500 | ₦1,600 | ₦1,200 |
| Tomatoes (basket) | ₦25,000 | ₦28,000 | ₦18,000 |
| Indomie (carton) | ₦8,500 | ₦9,000 | ₦8,000 |
For a single person cooking at home in Lagos, a realistic monthly food budget is ₦60,000–₦90,000. Eating out regularly at mid-range restaurants will push this to ₦120,000–₦180,000 per month. Street food (buka meals, suya, akara) remains the most affordable eating-out option at ₦1,500–₦3,500 per meal.
Transport is one of the most variable costs in Nigeria depending on your city, route, and mode. The petrol subsidy removal in 2023 drove fuel prices above ₦1,000 per litre in many states, making car ownership significantly more expensive and pushing many people toward public transport.
| Mode | Typical Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| BRT (Lagos) | ₦300–₦600/trip | Long routes across Lagos |
| Danfo/Minibus | ₦200–₦500/trip | Short local trips, Lagos |
| Keke NAPEP | ₦200–₦400/trip | Last-mile, all cities |
| Bolt/Uber (short trip) | ₦1,500–₦3,500 | Convenience, Abuja/Lagos |
| Bolt/Uber (cross-city) | ₦5,000–₦15,000 | Long distance within city |
| Personal car — fuel/mo | ₦80,000–₦150,000 | Those with own vehicle |
| Interstate bus (e.g. ABC) | ₦8,000–₦25,000 | Lagos–Abuja, Lagos–Kano |
Based on the budgets above, here is a realistic picture of what monthly income you need to live comfortably in each city in 2026 — covering all basic expenses plus modest savings:
| Lifestyle | Lagos | Abuja | Kano |
|---|---|---|---|
| Survival (bare minimum) | ₦250,000 | ₦220,000 | ₦130,000 |
| Modest (comfortable basics) | ₦400,000 | ₦360,000 | ₦220,000 |
| Middle class (car, good area) | ₦750,000 | ₦700,000 | ₦400,000 |
| Comfortable (upscale area, savings) | ₦1,200,000+ | ₦1,000,000+ | ₦600,000+ |
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