Cost of Living Comparison Between Calabar and Port Harcourt Cost of Living Comparison Between Calabar and Port Harcourt

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $817 per month in Calabar vs $397 in Port Harcourt, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,137 per month in Calabar vs $819 in Port Harcourt, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,456 per month in Calabar vs $1,242 in Port Harcourt, rent included.

Calabar costs about 106% more than Port Harcourt, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Calabar and Port Harcourt are more affordable than the global median – Calabar 39% lower, Port Harcourt 70% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$1.13 ₦1,493

$2.04 ₦2,696

-44.61%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$29.89 ₦39.6K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.70 ₦6,222

Cappuccino

$1.66 ₦2,195

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

$0.37 ₦484

$0.61 ₦812

-39.34%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.18 ₦245

$0.63 ₦830

-71.43%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$0.94 ₦1,240

$1.46 ₦1,933

-35.62%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.24 ₦1,636

$2.95 ₦3,907

-57.97%

Milk (1 liter)

$2.70 ₦3,581

White Bread (500g)

$1.33 ₦1,756

$0.97 ₦1,287

37.11%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.54 ₦2,043

$3.24 ₦4,286

-52.47%

Eggs

$1.80 ₦2,383

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$1.93 ₦2,554

Apples (1kg)

$2.56 ₦3,394

Banana (1kg)

$2.21 ₦2,925

Oranges (1kg)

$1.86 ₦2,465

Tomato (1kg)

$3.10 ₦4,109

Potato (1kg)

$2.28 ₦3,024

Onion (1kg)

$1.47 ₦1,946

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.47 ₦626

$0.64 ₦853

-26.56%

Wine (Bottle)

$4.57 ₦6,048

$5.39 ₦7,141

-15.21%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.13 ₦1,494

$0.74 ₦980

52.70%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.49 ₦1,977

$1.55 ₦2,059

-3.87%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.39 ₦521

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.54 ₦714

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

$29.83 ₦39.5K

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

$3.82 ₦5,054

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$14.14 ₦18.7K

Cinema Ticket

$4.03 ₦5,342

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

$24.76 ₦32.8K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$799 ₦1.1M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$6.88 ₦9,108

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$11.94 ₦15.8K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$15.28 ₦20.2K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,114 ₦1.5M

$154 ₦203.8K

623.51%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$754 ₦998.3K

$107 ₦141.9K

603.26%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,898 ₦2.5M

$1,147 ₦1.5M

65.42%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,367 ₦1.8M

$502 ₦664.6K

172.32%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$56.2 ₦74.4K

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

Last update for Calabar: October 3, 2026

Last update for Port Harcourt: October 6, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,114 in Calabar versus $154 in Port Harcourt. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

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 Port Harcourt: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Calabar costs about 106% more than Port Harcourt, 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 $595 in Port Harcourt. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Port Harcourt, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $817 in Calabar and $397 in Port Harcourt. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Interestingly, groceries are about 252% 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 Port Harcourt, where all-in costs run around $397, than in Calabar at $817. In Port Harcourt it covers expenses comfortably, while in Calabar it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

Families tend to lean toward Port Harcourt – 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 Port Harcourt. 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.