How Nigeria compares across key indices
Cost of Living
28 vs NYC
100 = NYC
Safety Index
33/100
Healthcare
48/100
Quality of Life
0/200
Climate
71/100
How far your money goes in Nigeria
Cost of Living
28
100 = NYC baseline
Rent Index
20
100 = NYC rent
Groceries
32
100 = NYC groceries
Restaurant Prices
21
100 = NYC dining
$1,229/mo
How safe residents feel in Nigeria — based on surveys of people living there
Safety Index
33/100
Crime Index
67/100
Lower is better
Crime Trend
67/100
Crime perceived as increasing
22 point drop from day to night
0 = no problem, 100 = severe problem
Based on 434 survey responses. 0 = not worried, 100 = very worried.
Nigeria has 1 city with Numbeo data. Lagos has the lowest estimated monthly cost at $1,229. Lagos leads on safety, scoring 31/100. Lagos ranks highest for quality of life at 0/200.
Lagos
$1,229/mo
Lagos
31/100
Lagos
0/200
Lagos
47/100
| City | Monthly Cost | Safety | Quality of Life | Healthcare | Pollution |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lagos | $1,229 | 31/100 | 0/200 | 47/100 | 89 |
Data from Numbeo. Monthly cost estimates are for a single person including rent. Pollution: lower score = cleaner air. Click column headers to sort.
Compare Cities Side by Side
Detailed comparison of cost of living, safety, and quality of life
Healthcare system overview for Nigeria
Healthcare Index
48/100
How satisfied residents are with healthcare costs relative to quality
Based on 128 survey responses
Real coverage for real life abroad. Not travel insurance. Not hoping for the best.
A portion of affiliate revenue is donated to UNHCR
Air quality, water, and environmental conditions in Nigeria
Pollution Index
87/100
Lower is better
0 = no concern, 100 = severe concern
Based on 161 survey responses. Perception scores are 0–100 where higher is better unless noted.
How people get around in Nigeria
Average One-Way Commute
64minutes
Very Long
Traffic Index
320
Heavy congestion
Inefficiency
362
Time wasted in traffic
CO2 Emissions
8.7kg/trip
Based on 58 survey responses.
Common questions about living in Nigeria, answered with data
Nigeria has a cost of living index of 28 relative to New York City (100). It is significantly cheaper than the US. Monthly costs for a single person start around $1,229 in Lagos.
Nigeria has a safety index of 33/100, making it worth researching carefully before committing for expats and travellers. Among cities with data, Lagos scores highest on safety at 31/100.
Lagos ranks highest for quality of life in Nigeria, scoring 0/200 on Numbeo's quality of life index. Monthly costs there run around $1,229/mo for a single person.
Nigeria scores 48/100 on Numbeo's healthcare index, making it adequate by global standards. This index reflects the overall quality of the healthcare system, medical staff, and facilities.
Yes. Nigeria's cost of living is roughly 72% lower than New York City and generally cheaper than most major US cities. Rent specifically is around 80% cheaper. This makes it a popular destination for remote workers looking to stretch their dollar.
Nigeria has a pollution index of 87/100 (lower = cleaner). Pollution can be a concern in urban areas. Research specific cities before committing, as rural and coastal areas typically fare better.
Your pre-departure checklist for Nigeria
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