Cost of Living Comparison Between Calabar and Jos Cost of Living Comparison Between Calabar and Jos

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $817 per month in Calabar vs $537 in Jos, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,137 per month in Calabar vs $1,102 in Jos, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,456 per month in Calabar vs $1,668 in Jos, rent included.

Calabar costs about 52% more than Jos, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Calabar and Jos are more affordable than the global median – Calabar 39% lower, Jos 60% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$1.13 ₦1,493

$1.96 ₦2,590

-42.35%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$24.90 ₦33.0K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$3.98 ₦5,272

Cappuccino

$3.44 ₦4,550

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.37 ₦484

$0.42 ₦550

-11.90%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.18 ₦245

$0.69 ₦912

-73.91%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$0.94 ₦1,240

$1.02 ₦1,355

-7.84%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.24 ₦1,636

$2.09 ₦2,766

-40.67%

Milk (1 liter)

$3.68 ₦4,877

White Bread (500g)

$1.33 ₦1,756

$0.88 ₦1,159

51.14%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.54 ₦2,043

$2.25 ₦2,984

-31.56%

Eggs

$1.79 ₦2,374

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.15 ₦13.4K

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.87 ₦6,449

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.14 ₦5,487

Apples (1kg)

$2.05 ₦2,715

Banana (1kg)

$1.50 ₦1,983

Oranges (1kg)

$1.53 ₦2,028

Tomato (1kg)

$2.37 ₦3,139

Potato (1kg)

$1.88 ₦2,487

Onion (1kg)

$2.37 ₦3,144

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.56 ₦742

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.47 ₦626

$0.38 ₦498

23.68%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.97 ₦2,613

Wine (Bottle)

$4.57 ₦6,048

$5.94 ₦7,867

-23.06%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.13 ₦1,494

$1.19 ₦1,578

-5.04%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.49 ₦1,977

$1.81 ₦2,394

-17.68%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.62 ₦825

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.82 ₦1,088

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$1.94 ₦2,572

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.58 ₦771

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$26.4K ₦35.0M

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$18.0K ₦23.8M

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$101 ₦133.5K

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$6.47 ₦8,563

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$29.31 ₦38.8K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$39.44 ₦52.2K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$11.91 ₦15.8K

Cinema Ticket

$4.86 ₦6,437

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$45.07 ₦59.7K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$1,000 ₦1.3M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$10.07 ₦13.3K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$14.70 ₦19.5K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$49.58 ₦65.6K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$50.3 ₦66.5K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,114 ₦1.5M

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$754 ₦998.3K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,898 ₦2.5M

$565 ₦748.6K

235.66%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,367 ₦1.8M

$484 ₦640.9K

182.38%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,981 ₦2.6M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,471 ₦1.9M

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$102 ₦134.7K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

22.5

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

Last update for Calabar: October 3, 2026

Last update for Jos: October 4, 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

Calabar vs Jos: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Calabar costs about 52% more than Jos, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,226 per month in Calabar and $805 in Jos. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $817 in Calabar and $537 in Jos. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Interestingly, groceries are about 378% cheaper in Calabar – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Jos, where all-in costs run around $537, than in Calabar at $817. In Jos it covers expenses comfortably, while in Calabar it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

Families tend to lean toward Jos – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

If budget matters most, go with Jos. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Calabar makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.