OverviewAt a GlanceCost of LivingSafetyCitiesHealthcareEnvironmentFAQBefore You Go

Nigeria🇳🇬

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At a Glance

How Nigeria compares across key indices

Quality of Life65Safety53Healthcare19Affordability18ClimateClean Air100

Cost of Living

18 vs NYC

100 = NYC

Safety Index

53/100

Healthcare

19/100

Quality of Life

65/200

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Cost of Living

How far your money goes in Nigeria

Cost of Living

18

100 = NYC baseline

Rent Index

13

100 = NYC rent

Groceries

18

100 = NYC groceries

Restaurant Prices

19

100 = NYC dining

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Side-by-side comparison with another country

Safety & Crime

Moderate Risk

How safe residents feel in Nigeria - based on surveys of people living there

Safety Index

53/100

Crime Index

63/100

Lower is better

Walking Safety

Daytime100
Nighttime100

0 point drop from day to night

Cities in Nigeria

Nigeria has 263 modeled cities; this view starts with 40 curated or popular options. Monthly costs for a single person range from $394 in Ondo to $479 in Abuja. Ondo leads on safety, scoring 53/100. Abuja ranks highest for quality of life at 75/200.

💸Most Affordable

Ondo

$394/mo

Safest

Ondo

53/100

Best Quality of Life

Abuja

75/200

Best Healthcare

Abuja

33/100

City filter
Featured
Curated and popular cities first.
40 of 263 shown
CityMonthly CostSafetyQuality of LifeHealthcarePollution
Abuja$47947/10075/20033/10095
Lagos$44448/10074/20030/10095
Kano$44348/10074/20030/10095
Ibadan$43848/10074/20029/10095
Port Harcourt$42749/10074/20028/10095
Kaduna$42550/10074/20027/10095
Benin City$42450/10074/20027/10095
Onitsha$42150/10074/20027/10095
Aba$41651/10074/20026/10095
Maiduguri$41551/10074/20025/10095
Ilorin$41551/10074/20025/10095
Jos$41451/10074/20025/10095
Sokoto$41451/10074/20025/10095
Zaria$41351/10074/20025/10095
Enugu$41251/10074/20025/10095
Warri$41151/10074/20025/10095
Oyo$40752/10074/20024/10095
Abeokuta$40752/10074/20024/10095
Akure$40752/10074/20024/10095
Bauchi$40652/10074/20024/10095
Katsina$40652/10074/20024/10095
Osogbo$40552/10074/20024/10095
Gombe$40252/10074/20023/10095
Ile-Ife$40252/10074/20023/10095
Ajegunle$40252/10074/20023/10095
Owerri$40252/10074/20023/10095
Calabar$40252/10074/20023/10095
Ebute Ikorodu$40152/10074/20023/10095
Okene$39953/10074/20023/10095
Ikare$39953/10074/20023/10095
Yola$39853/10074/20023/10095
Uyo$39853/10074/20022/10095
Ado-Ekiti$39753/10074/20022/10095
Ogbomoso$39753/10074/20022/10095
Minna$39753/10074/20022/10095
Lekki$39653/10074/20022/10095
Bida$39653/10074/20022/10095
Makurdi$39553/10074/20022/10095
Ondo$39453/10074/20022/10095
Umuahia$39453/10074/20022/10095

Freedom Abroad estimates are modeled 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

Healthcare system overview for Nigeria

Healthcare19Safety53Quality of Life65
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Environment

Polluted

Air quality, water, and environmental conditions in Nigeria

Pollution Index

100/100

Lower is better

PM2.5

56.5ug/m3

Unhealthy

Environmental Quality

Air Quality50/100

Based on 0 survey responses. Perception scores are 0–100 where higher is better unless noted.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about living in Nigeria, answered with data

What is the cost of living in Nigeria?

Nigeria has a cost of living index of 18 relative to New York City (100). It is significantly cheaper than the US. Monthly costs for a single person start around $370 in Nkpor and reach $479 in Abuja.

What is the cheapest city in Nigeria for expats?

Nkpor is the most affordable city in Nigeria in Freedom Abroad estimates, with estimated monthly costs of $370 for a single person including rent. Ikere-Ekiti is the next most affordable at $370/mo.

Is Nigeria safe for expats?

Nigeria has a safety index of 53/100, making it moderately safe for expats and travellers. Among cities with data, Ede scores highest on safety at 55/100.

What is the best city in Nigeria for expats and digital nomads?

Abuja ranks highest for quality of life in Nigeria, scoring 75/200 in Freedom Abroad's modeled quality-of-life estimate. Monthly costs there run around $479/mo for a single person. For budget-conscious expats, Nkpor offers the lowest monthly costs at $370/mo.

How good is healthcare in Nigeria?

Nigeria scores 19/100 in Freedom Abroad's modeled healthcare estimate, making it limited in some areas by global standards. This estimate reflects open public indicators for health outcomes and system capacity.

Is Nigeria cheaper than the United States?

Yes. Nigeria's cost of living is roughly 82% lower than New York City and generally cheaper than most major US cities. Rent specifically is around 87% cheaper. This makes it a popular destination for remote workers looking to stretch their dollar.

What is the air quality and pollution like in Nigeria?

Nigeria has a pollution index of 100/100 (lower = cleaner). Pollution can be a concern in urban areas. Research specific cities before committing, as rural and coastal areas typically fare better.

Before You Go

Your pre-departure checklist for Nigeria

Plan Your Move

Where Can I Move?

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Compare Countries

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Cost of Living

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Set Up International Banking

Get a multi-currency account before you leave. Essential for managing money abroad.

Get Connected

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Book Your First Accommodation

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Cost of living, safety, and quality-of-life figures on this page are Freedom Abroad estimates modeled from open public sources. Data sources

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