Many expats who move to Nigeria think that the cost of living is very low. This may be so at the beginning, but once they have settled down, they get a shock when they go shopping. The cost of living in Nigeria is high compared to other countries in this region. In fact, it may seem much higher when you compare prices with those in your home country.
Transitioning to life in a foreign country can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. While it’s true that Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa, the fact is that the majority of its 180 million citizens live in the northern and middle parts of the country. But Lagos is by far the most populated city in the country.
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How Much Do I Need to Live Comfortably in Nigeria?
The amount you need to live comfortably in Nigeria varies depending on your location and priorities. On a low end, a single person needs at least ₦70,000 per month [excluding rents] to live comfortably in Nigeria. However, a family of four may need to make up to ₦200,000 to cover their monthly expenses and live a comfortable life in the country.
Even though the minimum wage in Nigeria is pegged at ₦30,000, you’ll have to make double to live a comfortable life. The cost of living in Nigeria is lower than in the United States or Europe.
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However, you’ll still need a solid amount of income to feel comfortable here. Whether you want to rent or buy an apartment, own a car, or ride public transportation, go out often or stay in and cook at home.
Is Nigeria An Expensive or Affordable Place To Live In?
Nigeria is a fairly inexpensive place to live in comparison to other regions in the world. Accommodation can cost ₦50,000 – ₦846,000 per month depending on where you live and it’s quality. The standard of living also depends on where one chooses to live.
Food can cost as low as ₦25,000 per month if you’re taking advantage of street food vendors or as high as ₦45000 per month if you’re eating at restaurants that are frequented by wealthy Nigerians or expats. One would need approximately ₦50,000 to buy groceries just to get started since many shops sell staple items such as rice, flour, and canned food.
The average salary is around ₦30,000, this amount was fixed by the Federal Government and was deemed too low since it’s hardly enough to meet the needs of a person. However, salaries range from ₦20,000(lowest) to ₦1,510,000(highest) per month.
Here’s a breakdown of the monthly living expenses in Nigeria.
If you want to live cheaply in Nigeria, it may require some sacrifices such as foregoing eating out frequently and driving a car (if you can’t afford an import) or renting a house with air-conditioning even if it is the height of the summer heat (it gets up to 47 degrees Celsius). These are just some examples of how you can stretch your budget and save money in Nigeria.
Cost Of Living: What Are the Living Expenses Like In Nigeria?
The cost of living in Nigeria varies greatly depending upon your location, how many people you live with, and how much you spend on food and entertainment. Generally speaking, a single person who lives alone in Nigeria can live comfortably on ₦650,000 [$1,000] per month.
However, you should not assume that this amount will leave you with a lot of extra money at the end of the month. In the country’s largest cities, such as Lagos or Abuja, the cost of living is higher. Major Nigerian cities are not cheap by any stretch of the imagination. Some would call them “dynamic,” which is just a way of saying “expensive.”
A single person who lives alone in Lagos or Abuja can expect to spend about $800 per month on housing, food, and other necessities. A business professional who requires several services that are only available from companies that price their services accordingly may find themselves spending closer to $1,800 per month.
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If you want to live in a major city but don’t want to deal with big-city prices, consider moving to one of Nigeria’s smaller cities or towns. You’ll be able to find affordable places to live (and plenty of people will be happy to help you look), and your monthly expenses.
Nigeria’s cost of living is one of the lowest in the world, and it’s important to keep that in mind when you’re thinking about expatriating to the country. Rent is affordable for both employees and employers, which makes it easy to get settled quickly and start working. Even though Nigerian real estate isn’t quite as modern as what you might be used to, it usually comes with a roof and four walls—and that counts for something.
The Nigerian retail market consists primarily of small businesses, with many shop owners running their businesses from their homes. This makes it difficult for them to collect consumer data, which leads to high levels of price uncertainty for potential customers. The consumer sector in Nigeria is largely informal, with many street vendors selling goods to bypass import taxes on electronics and other items that might be considered luxury goods.
Nigerian consumers may have to spend more money than residents of other African countries to buy the same goods because of several factors. The first is that many goods are imported into Nigeria and distributed by multinational companies, which use the same distribution networks in other countries. Secondly, Nigerian inflation rates are so high that companies operating in Nigeria may have difficulty keeping prices low when they also have to pay exorbitant shipping fees to get their products into the country.
Many Nigerians are also unbanked, which means they can’t take advantage of credit cards or make use of a bank’s customer service if an item or delivery goes wrong. Instead, Nigerians must put down cash for all purchases upfront. This limits the number of goods Nigerians can buy on credit and increases the price of goods for them as retailers pass on some of the cost of distributing and insuring their goods. Lastly, Nigeria has a poor infrastructure with few roads, meaning it takes longer for goods to reach customers around the country, increasing costs for all parties involved in distribution.
Cost Of A Meal & Restaurants Food Prices In Nigeria
The cost of restaurant foods can vary greatly depending on the type of restaurant and what you order. In Nigeria, there are a variety of different restaurant options for any type of meal. You can find Western-style restaurants that serve American and British food or Italian food
Bottom of Form
Food/Goods
Price in Nigerian Naira (₦)
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant
1000.00 ₦
Three-course Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant
8, 000.00 ₦
Refuel Max at Chicken Republic (or Equivalent Combo Meal in a Food Chain Restaurant)
1,500.00 ₦
Domestic Beer (0.5L)
350.00 ₦
Imported Beer (0.33L)
500.00 ₦
Regular Cappuccino
924.56 ₦
Coke/Pepsi (0.33L)
157.43 ₦
Water (0.33L)
106.15 ₦
Cost Of Groceries & Consumer Goods In Nigeria
In Nigeria, most markets have a large public area where customers can buy food directly from the stalls or shops that sell it for a cheaper price than what you would find in supermarkets or grocery stores. Since most Nigerians are low-income earners, this is one of the few ways that they can afford to get cheap food or groceries. Most Nigerians eat at home every day, so they shop at the market every day too. It is also common to see street vendors selling food on the streets.
Food/Goods
Price in Nigerian Naira (₦)
Milk (regular), (1L)
1,800.00 ₦
Loaf of Fresh Bread (500g)
500.00 ₦
White Rice (1Kg)
5,086.80 ₦
Regular Eggs (12)
771.97 ₦
Local Cheese (1Kg)
1,773.14 ₦
Chicken Fillets (1Kg)
1,848.85 ₦
Beef Round (1Kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)
1,856.49 ₦
Apples (1Kg)
1,329.65 ₦
Banana (1Kg)
682.04 ₦
Oranges (1Kg)
524.36 ₦
Tomato (1Kg)
774.78 ₦
Potato (1Kg)
860.27 ₦
Onion (1Kg)
620.00 ₦
Lettuce (1 head)
383.33 ₦
Water (1.5L)
214.37 ₦
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)
1,800.00 ₦
Domestic Beer (0.5L)
345.35 ₦
Imported Beer (0.33L)
547.96 ₦
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)
500.00 ₦
Cost Of Transportation and Commuting In Nigeria
Road infrastructure in Nigeria is relatively poor. As a result, vehicles and road users are forced to adapt to the circumstances. Some of these adaptations are good, others less so. Vehicle owners often work to find creative solutions for problems that arise from their transportation needs; however, some solutions are more practical than others.
Most Nigerians travel to work on foot or by bicycle due to the lack of public transportation (cars and buses) throughout the cities. Although there are an estimated 5 million vehicles registered in Nigeria, there are only 2000 kilometers of highway that have been built in the entire country. The difficulty of traveling on roads with no traffic lights or road signs can cause many Nigerians to take alternative routes that are often not the safest choices for traveling.
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The fastest mode of transportation is a car. Roads are well paved, but not well lit at night. Buses run on time, but they are often crowded and are considered unsafe for small children or women traveling alone. Planes are the most expensive method of transportation in Nigeria.
Transportation fares, Gas, and Car Prices
Price in Nigerian Naira (₦)
One-way Ticket
200.00 ₦
Monthly Pass (Local Transport)
9,000.00 ₦
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
500.00 ₦
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)
500.00 ₦
Taxi 1-hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
1,500.00 ₦
Gasoline (1L)
164.96 ₦
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)
The government of Nigeria is struggling to provide adequate utility services to its citizens. Public utilities such as water and electricity are being exploited by the government to fund their military action against the Boko Haram terrorist group.
As the cost of living in Nigeria continues to increase, the average Nigerian is struggling to cope with the rising cost of utility bills. According to statistics obtained from the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics, The Consumer Price Index (CPI) which measures inflation in January 2018 increased by 15.7%. This stirred up another round of increases in electricity and water charges billed by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).
Nigeria’s power supply is seriously lacking, with only 700 megawatts of power generated per day as opposed to the 4,000 megawatts needed. This means that the country experiences a massive shortfall of 1,300 megawatts daily. The cost of power can vary in Nigeria depending on where you live. For example, a small town may pay $0.03 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) while a large city may pay as much as $0.25 per kWh.
The cost of a utility in Nigeria is more expensive than average due to the high cost of fuel, which is used to generate power. This has led to an increased demand for renewable sources of energy as well as a decrease in the usage of electricity in general.
Utility
Price in Nigerian Naira (₦)
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 45m2 Apartment
9,066.67 ₦
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment
21,353.12 ₦
1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans)
18.83 ₦
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)
20,575.11 ₦
Cost Of Entertainment In Nigeria
Nigeria has many entertainment options for Nigerians and tourists alike. There are many beautiful beaches all over the country, but I’ll just mention two of them that are very popular with both tourists and locals: Dolphin beach and Bar Beach. These two beaches have everything you could ever want from a beach: great food, great drinks, great music, and most importantly: beautiful ladies!
The cost of entertainment in Nigeria depends on where you go and what you do. If you’re just looking to hang out at any random bar or club, it won’t cost too much to have fun in Lagos or any other big Nigerian city. You can get into any club for less than $10 (4,160 nairas) if you know how to haggle with the bouncer (or “security”).
In the affluent GRA area, you can enjoy some of the services found in expensive casinos such as Las Vegas. The most popular Las Vegas-style gambling destination in Nigeria is the “Casino Royale” in Ikoyi, Lagos which was opened in 2004 by the Monaco-based Societe des Bains de Mer et du casino.
Nigeria also has several state lotteries, horse racing tracks, and greyhound racing tracks. The only racecourse in Lagos state is the Ojuwoye race track, which is located in Ibadan. Currently, there are no horse racing tracks or greyhound racing tracks in Lagos state.
Leisure and Sport
Price in Nigerian Naira (₦)
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult
25,000.00 ₦
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend)
10,065.00 ₦
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat
3,500.00 ₦
iPad, Wi-fi 128GB
182,671.10 ₦
Cost Of Childcare and Education In Nigeria
The cost of education in Nigeria is rising. Although it may be quite affordable for the average Nigerian, it still costs a lot for an international student. When you compare the cost of education in Nigeria to other countries, the cost is much lower than in most developed countries, but it can still be costly for some students. The cost of education in Nigeria includes tuition, expenses, and living conditions which vary from school to school.
When it comes to tuition, it is important to find out if schools charge per semester or year. Tuition can vary greatly between schools because some schools are private and others are public. In addition to tuition, some universities require extra fees that are usually around $1000. Of course, some universities do not have any extra fees associated with them. Also, tuition can vary based on course load and the degree program you choose to take.
Students will often find that their university will provide them with a list of required textbooks that they must buy through the school bookstore rather than elsewhere. This is a common practice when it comes to buying books for university courses because it can be cheaper for students to buy them from their school as opposed to making a trip out to one of the many bookstores in western
In a professional tone: Childcare in Nigeria is not cheap. Teachers, who are the main providers of childcare in Nigeria, earn an average income of ₦720,000 ($1,727.97) per year. Over 50% of their income is spent on school fees for their children and their transportation costs to get to school.
While there is an increase in the number of teachers that are picking up extra classes outside of school hours or working as tutors after school to supplement their wages, this additional income is not enough to cover the high cost of education. The government has not done much to help ease the burden on teachers by providing affordable housing or increasing teachers’ salaries.
Tuition/Bills
Price in Nigerian Naira (₦)
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child
39,316.22 ₦
International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child
836,258.93 ₦
International High School, Yearly for 1 Child
1,245,361.73 ₦
Colleges and University
1,590,000.00 ₦
The Average Living Expenses for Students (rent, food, utility, entertainment, transport, and insurance)
297,500.99 ₦
Cost Of Clothing, Wears & Accessories In Nigeria
The prices of clothes depending on the availability of the materials used to make them and also on their shipment from one place to another, which makes the prices vary according to locations. Clothes come in different types and the highest price is usually attached to designer wear.
Designer wears are usually made by famous designers and they are tailored to fit a certain class of people who can afford them. The high price of designer wears is due to the cost of marketing, promotion, and advertisement incurred during their production. The cost of production is also high because they are tailor-made suits and they do not have mass production like other clothes made by Asian countries.
The second highest priced clothes are usually African prints sold by women dressed in African attires, this is due to their uniqueness as well as their availability in some places outside Nigeria, making them more expensive than those that can be obtained locally. Other types of clothes such as European wear, Indian wear, Chinese wear, Japanese wears etcetera are available locally and so their prices vary slightly from one state to another.
Clothes/Shoes
Price in Nigerian Naira (₦)
1 Pair of Jeans (Levi’s 501 Or Similar)
7,377.78 ₦
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, …)
11,757.14 ₦
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range)
24,317.07 ₦
1 Pair of Men’s Leather Business Shoes
28,428.57 ₦
Cost Of Personal and Health Care In Nigeria
The cost of personal care in Nigeria is relatively low, though it’s worth noting that the quality and effectiveness of personal care products in the country can be inconsistent. In Nigeria, you can buy a tube of toothpaste for less than a dollar, but if you want to purchase professional hair products or skincare items, such as conditioner or moisturizer, those products are very expensive.
The effectiveness of these goods varies depending on where you shop: if you buy from a pharmacy in Lagos, you’re likely to see higher-quality goods that work well; products bought from local markets and smaller shops will likely have lower quality.
Care Products
Price in Nigerian Naira (₦)
Medications for Cold (Tylenol, Coldrex…)
1500.00 ₦
Box of Antibiotics (12 doses)
1,800.00 ₦
15 mins Visit a Private Doctor
15,000.00 ₦
Box of 32 Tampons (Tampax…)
500.00 ₦
Deodorant & Roll-on (50mL – 1.5oz.)
1,500.00 ₦
Hair Shampoo 2-in-1 (400mL – 12oz.)
1,200.00 ₦
4 Rolls of Toilet Paper
800.00 ₦
Tube of Toothpaste
700.00 ₦
Standard Men’s Haircut in the City
1,500.00 ₦
Standard Men’s Haircut in the Suburb
400.00 ₦
Accommodation In Nigeria
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Cost Of Housing and Accommodation In Nigeria
Nigeria has a wide variety of accommodations, from luxurious international hotels to small guest houses. Many travelers prefer to stay in guest houses near the sites they are visiting. These places are often run by residents and often offer meals in traditional settings. They may also have unique cultural experiences, such as a visit with a family or a home-cooked meal.
Rating a house in Nigeria is more expensive than in any other African country. This can be attributed to the high rate of urbanization and the construction of new apartments, houses, and offices. Renters have the option of choosing between conventional or digital rent payments. Conventional payment methods are cash, bank transfers, and cheques while digital payment method is mobile money.
The cost of housing and rent in Nigeria is relatively very high because there is limited space, and the demand for land is high. The majority of people are therefore attracted to living closer to the city where they can be near schools, shopping centers, and recreational parks.
However, housing in these areas is usually expensive. The cost of renting a house depends on its size, location, and facilities. Houses located closer to the city are more expensive than those in the suburbs. A furnished flat can cost anywhere from $350 to $1,500 in Nigeria’s major cities like Lagos or Abuja. Unfurnished flats may cost half as much as those with furniture.
National Monthly Rents
Price in Nigerian Naira (₦)
Monthly Rent for a 1-bedroom Apartment in the City
374,197.32 ₦
Monthly Rent for a 1-bedroom Apartment in the Suburb
213,965.55 ₦
Monthly Rent for a 2-bedroom Apartment in the City
772,918.83 ₦
Monthly Rent for a 2-bedroom Apartment in the Suburb
496,156.54 ₦
Monthly Rent for a 3-bedroom Apartment in the City
1,145,441.26 ₦
Monthly Rent for a 3-bedroom Apartment in the Suburb
523,783.03 ₦
The cost of living in Nigeria is difficult to estimate because most goods and services are imported. There are, however, some indicators that can be used to calculate relative costs.
The cost of living in Nigeria for expatriates is low by many standards compared to the United States, but higher than most other African countries. Most expatriates hire domestic help to perform household duties and personal care. In many parts of the country, you can find cheap food and transportation. You will also have access to public infrastructure and institutions like roads, hospitals, schools, and public utilities
Hi there, I'm Heaven. I'm an entrepreneur, blogger, and digital marketing enthusiast. When I'm not watching anime or learning something new from TikTok, I post and vlog about my incredible life experiences as a digital entrepreneur.
