Cost of Living in Nigeria 2026 — Rent, Food, Tax & BudgetAll figures are shown in EUR for comparability. The local currency of Nigeria is the Nigerian naira (NGN).
Monthly Living Costs in Nigeria
Average prices from our cost dataset, re-checked on a rolling basis:
1BR Rent
per month, city average
3BR Rent
per month, city average
Groceries
per month, single person
Transport
per month, public transit pass
Utilities
per month, basic apartment
Meal Out
typical price per meal
Monthly budget (single person): €435 (1-bedroom rent + groceries + transport + utilities)
Monthly budget (couple): €555 (shared 1-bedroom rent, two of everything else)
These are national averages — actual costs vary by city and lifestyle.
How Expensive Is Nigeria Overall?
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost-of-living index (market data; higher = more expensive) | 26.5 |
| Rent index | 22.8 |
| Groceries index | 31.4 |
| Restaurant price index | 21 |
| Local purchasing-power index (higher = stronger) | 8.3 |
| Price level index (World Bank, 2024; US = 100) | 11.9 |
| Property price-to-income ratio | 93.7 |
Salaries by Sector
Typical gross annual salaries in Nigeria from our sector dataset:
| Sector | Typical gross annual (EUR) |
|---|---|
| Finance | €14,000 |
| Engineering | €12,000 |
| Construction | €7,500 |
| IT & Software | €6,000 |
| Education | €6,000 |
| Retail | €4,000 |
| Healthcare | €4,000 |
| Hospitality | €4,000 |
Taxes in Nigeria
Headline tax figures that shape your take-home pay:
| Tax | Rate / amount |
|---|---|
| Effective income tax at €90k gross | 14.2% |
| Net monthly pay at €90k gross | €5,720 |
| VAT / sales tax | 7.5% |
| Top personal income-tax rate | 25% |
Worked example: on a €90,000 gross salary, net pay is about €5,720 per month. After rent and essentials (€435), roughly €5,285 per month is left for savings and discretionary spending.
How Nigeria Compares to Its Neighbours
| Country | 1BR Rent | Groceries | Transport | Cost index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nigeria | €250 | €85 | €35 | 26.5 |
| Benin | €185 | €45 | €15 | 34.8 |
| Cameroon | €180 | €85 | €25 | 37.1 |
| Chad | €180 | €75 | €15 | 39.5 |
Quality of Life Metrics
Beyond cost, these factors shape everyday life in Nigeria:
Safety index
Healthcare index
Internet speed
English proficiency
Life expectancy
Expat satisfaction
What It Costs to Get In: Visas & Residence
We track 25 residence and visa routes for Nigeria — see the full Nigeria visa programme list.
Lowest documented income requirement among tracked routes: €500 per month — Employment (Expatriate Free Zone) Visa (work route). Requirements change; always confirm on the official page before applying.
Our engine estimates a minimum financial viability of €435 per month to sustain a move to Nigeria.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nigeria expensive?
Nigeria has a cost-of-living index of 26.5 (higher = more expensive). A 1-bedroom apartment averages €250 per month and a single person spends about €435 per month on rent plus essentials.
How much money do I need per month in Nigeria?
About €435 per month covers rent and essentials for a single person (1-bedroom rent + groceries + transport + utilities). A couple sharing a 1-bedroom apartment needs about €555 per month.
What is the average rent in Nigeria?
A 1-bedroom apartment averages €250 per month and a 3-bedroom apartment averages €450 per month in Nigeria. Prices vary significantly between city centres and smaller towns.
What do people earn in Nigeria?
Typical gross annual salaries in Nigeria range from €4,000 (Hospitality) to €14,000 (Finance), based on our sector dataset.
Which residence route has the lowest income requirement for Nigeria?
Among the 25 Nigeria residence routes we track, the lowest documented income requirement is €500 per month (Employment (Expatriate Free Zone) Visa). Requirements change; always confirm on the official page before applying.
Ready for the next step? See the full Nigeria country profile and the Nigeria emigration guide.
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