Cost of Living in Nigeria: Rent, Housing & Income

Nigeria is Africa's most populous country, and costs differ sharply between Lagos, Abuja, and smaller cities. The national figures below blend all of them, so they describe a typical case more than any one place. Lagos tends to be the costliest for housing, and a move there should be planned with city listings in hand.

The numbers come from Livingcost, a crowd-sourced estimate that the site updates on its own pages. The data was last checked on Oct 13, 2026. Amounts are converted to US dollars, and the naira's exchange rate has moved a lot in recent years, so converted figures can shift quickly.

The World Bank's price level ratio for Nigeria was 12.8 in 2025, with the U.S. at 100. At market exchange rates, the same basket of goods and services cost about 13% of its U.S. price.

GDP per capita, adjusted for purchasing power, was 9,532 international dollars in 2025 (U.S.: 90,027 international dollars in 2025). Consumer prices rose 23.0% in 2025 (U.S.: 2.9% in 2024).

Without rent, a single person is estimated at $350/mo. With rent, the estimate is $761/mo. A lunch menu averages $2.45 each, and local canteens and street vendors serve filling meals at low prices. A liter of milk averages $2.15 each and a dozen eggs average $1.57 each.

A one-bedroom in a central area averages $407/mo, and a cheaper one averages $296/mo. The jump is steeper for larger homes: a three-bedroom in a central area averages $1,461/mo, against $787/mo for a cheaper one.

Landlords in Nigerian cities often ask for a year's rent in advance, along with agent and legal fees, and that lump sum can be much bigger than the monthly figure shown here. Ask for the full cost of moving in before you commit. Use a reputable agent, confirm who owns the property, and get a written tenancy agreement.

Utilities for one person average $30/mo. Power supply is uneven in many areas, and households and businesses often budget for generators, inverters, or solar to bridge outages, so the real cost of electricity can run higher than a simple utility bill suggests. Internet averages $19.20/mo. A monthly local transport ticket averages $23.20/mo, though many people travel by shared minibus, motorbike taxi, or ride-hailing apps, and costs vary by city and traffic.

The average monthly salary after tax is $64/mo, far below even the single-person budget without rent. That gap is stark, and it means the estimates describe the spending of someone with foreign or higher-than-average income, not a typical local worker. Wages vary widely by sector, and professionals in oil and gas, banking, and technology earn on different scales.

A family of four is estimated at $1,656/mo with rent and $999/mo without it. School fees at private and international schools are a large extra that averages do not show.

Everyday food and transport can be inexpensive, and rents outside the most sought-after areas are low in dollar terms. The picture changes with imported goods, private security, reliable power, and international schooling, which can raise the total quickly. Currency swings add uncertainty, so build a buffer.

• Health insurance and private medical care
• Visa, residence, and work permit fees
• Flights home
• Backup power and water supply
• International school tuition
• Security arrangements, which vary by neighborhood

Check Nigeria's official immigration service and your own government's travel advice before planning a move. A licensed advisor can help with visa and tax questions.

Lagos is the commercial center, with the most jobs and the highest housing costs, and traffic can add hours to a weekly commute. Abuja is the planned capital, with a government and diplomatic community and a different pace. Port Harcourt, Ibadan, Kano, and other cities offer lower rents and their own local economies.

Where you live inside a city matters as much as which city you choose. Neighborhoods differ in power supply, road access, and distance from work, and a cheaper rent far from your job can cost more once transport is counted. Ask local contacts or colleagues for advice before you rent, and visit areas at different times of day.