Cost of Living Comparison Between Abuja and Calabar Cost of Living Comparison Between Abuja and Calabar

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Abuja
Calabar
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.04 ₦2,812
-
-
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$44.83 ₦61.7K
-
-
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.70 ₦7,846
-
-
Cappuccino
$2.54 ₦3,501
-
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.55 ₦760
-
-
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.42 ₦573
-
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.07 ₦1,478
-
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.19 ₦1,639
-
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Abuja
Calabar
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$3.03 ₦4,179
-
-
White Bread (500g)
$1.25 ₦1,725
-
-
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.51 ₦3,457
-
-
Eggs
$1.50 ₦2,072
-
-
Local Cheese (1kg)
$5.30 ₦7,292
-
-
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.60 ₦6,335
-
-
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$3.94 ₦5,429
-
-
Apples (1kg)
$3.07 ₦4,223
-
-
Banana (1kg)
$1.77 ₦2,442
-
-
Oranges (1kg)
$2.19 ₦3,009
-
-
Tomato (1kg)
$1.74 ₦2,398
-
-
Potato (1kg)
$2.16 ₦2,967
-
-
Onion (1kg)
$2.53 ₦3,486
-
-
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.61 ₦835
-
-
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.29 ₦395
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.46 ₦3,390
-
-
Wine (Bottle)
$7.09 ₦9,760
-
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.10 ₦1,518
-
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.43 ₦1,964
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Abuja
Calabar
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.64 ₦883
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.91 ₦1,247
-
-
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.02 ₦1,408
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$4.29 ₦5,901
-
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.77 ₦1,060
-
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Abuja
Calabar
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$30.29 ₦41.7K
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$10.91 ₦15.0K
-
-
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$42.37 ₦58.3K
-
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Abuja
Calabar
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$43.96 ₦60.5K
-
-
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$10.60 ₦14.6K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$8.26 ₦11.4K
-
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Abuja
Calabar
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$132 ₦181.5K
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$1,979 ₦2.7M
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Abuja
Calabar
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$29.71 ₦40.9K
-
-
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$29.33 ₦40.4K
-
-
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$68.0 ₦93.7K
-
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$85.3 ₦117.4K
-
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Abuja
Calabar
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,487 ₦3.4M
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,147 ₦1.6M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$5,558 ₦7.7M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,731 ₦3.8M
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,141 ₦1.6M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,125 ₦1.5M
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Abuja
Calabar
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$285 ₦392.1K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
22.5
0
-

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Abuja: April 27, 2026

Last update for Calabar: April 26, 2026

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Abuja vs Calabar: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Where should families live: Abuja or Calabar?
For families, Calabar is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Abuja, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
How do I decide between Abuja and Calabar?
It comes down to priorities – Calabar wins on affordability, Abuja on earning potential. Factor in climate, language, visa rules, and proximity to places that matter to you before deciding.

Abuja vs other spots: cost of living compared

Similar cities