Cost of Living Comparison Between Ikeja and Jos Cost of Living Comparison Between Ikeja and Jos

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,056 per month in Ikeja vs $1,012 in Jos, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,641 per month in Ikeja vs $1,400 in Jos, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,227 per month in Ikeja vs $1,789 in Jos, rent included.

Ikeja costs about 4% more than Jos, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Ikeja and Jos are more affordable than the global median – Ikeja 21% lower, Jos 25% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Ikeja
Jos
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.50 ₦2,024
$1.28 ₦1,727
17.19%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.42 ₦43.7K
$14.21 ₦19.2K
128.15%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.26 ₦7,096
$4.71 ₦6,354
11.68%
Cappuccino
$2.20 ₦2,962
$2.30 ₦3,099
-4.35%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.34 ₦456
$0.34 ₦463
-
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.20 ₦270
$0.25 ₦338
-20.00%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$0.85 ₦1,140
$0.70 ₦949
21.43%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.44 ₦1,947
-
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Ikeja
Jos
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.11 ₦2,853
$3.53 ₦4,759
-40.23%
White Bread (500g)
$1.24 ₦1,674
$0.87 ₦1,168
42.53%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.33 ₦3,144
$3.44 ₦4,635
-32.27%
Eggs
$1.76 ₦2,370
$2.96 ₦3,987
-40.54%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$6.25 ₦8,432
$10.10 ₦13.6K
-38.12%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.16 ₦5,608
$4.98 ₦6,724
-16.47%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$5.30 ₦7,154
$4.49 ₦6,051
18.04%
Apples (1kg)
$3.60 ₦4,851
$4.02 ₦5,424
-10.45%
Banana (1kg)
$2.03 ₦2,742
$5.04 ₦6,797
-59.72%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.10 ₦2,833
$2.68 ₦3,619
-21.64%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.37 ₦3,192
$4.01 ₦5,405
-40.90%
Potato (1kg)
$2.38 ₦3,206
$2.20 ₦2,967
8.18%
Onion (1kg)
$2.01 ₦2,706
$1.98 ₦2,675
1.52%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.00 ₦2,693
$0.65 ₦873
207.69%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.35 ₦477
$0.77 ₦1,042
-54.55%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$1.26 ₦1,705
-
-
Wine (Bottle)
$3.14 ₦4,232
$3.98 ₦5,369
-21.11%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.64 ₦857
$0.74 ₦998
-13.51%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.95 ₦1,276
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Ikeja
Jos
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.31 ₦425
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$9.91 ₦13.4K
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.24 ₦1,667
$1.01 ₦1,365
22.77%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.15 ₦2,899
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$4.61 ₦6,221
$10.05 ₦13.6K
-54.13%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.38 ₦515
$0.94 ₦1,268
-59.57%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$20.2K ₦27.2M
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.9K ₦28.2M
-
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ikeja
Jos
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$41.16 ₦55.5K
$100 ₦135.5K
-59.03%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$10.05 ₦13.6K
$10.12 ₦13.7K
-0.69%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$33.91 ₦45.7K
-
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Ikeja
Jos
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
-
$40.25 ₦54.3K
-
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$11.86 ₦16.0K
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.47 ₦8,728
$9.14 ₦12.3K
-29.21%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Ikeja
Jos
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$83.2 ₦112.2K
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$2,341 ₦3.2M
$990 ₦1.3M
136.61%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Ikeja
Jos
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$19.37 ₦26.1K
$10.09 ₦13.6K
91.97%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$24.74 ₦33.4K
$14.87 ₦20.1K
66.38%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$63.4 ₦85.5K
$49.94 ₦67.4K
26.85%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$58.1 ₦78.4K
$50.6 ₦68.3K
14.86%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Ikeja
Jos
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$845 ₦1.1M
$716 ₦965.5K
18.12%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$614 ₦827.9K
$465 ₦626.7K
32.12%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,906 ₦2.6M
$867 ₦1.2M
119.74%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,195 ₦1.6M
$602 ₦811.6K
98.53%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
-
$2,009 ₦2.7M
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
-
$1,511 ₦2.0M
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Ikeja
Jos
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$126 ₦169.6K
$111 ₦149.6K
13.37%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
16.33
0
-

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

Last update for Ikeja: April 20, 2026

Last update for Jos: April 22, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $845 in Ikeja versus $716 in Jos. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 13% higher in Ikeja, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $32 in Ikeja versus $14 in Jos. Groceries tell a different story – $190 in Ikeja vs $253 in Jos – so Ikeja wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

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
Ikeja vs Jos: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Ikeja or Jos?
Ikeja costs about 4% 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.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Ikeja vs Jos?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,583 per month in Ikeja and $1,517 in Jos. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Ikeja or Jos?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Jos, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How much does it cost to live in Ikeja compared to Jos?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,056 in Ikeja and $1,012 in Jos. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Are groceries more expensive in Ikeja or Jos?
Interestingly, groceries are about 33% cheaper in Ikeja – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
Can you live on $2,000/month in Ikeja or Jos?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Jos, where all-in costs run around $1,012, than in Ikeja at $1,056. In Jos it covers expenses comfortably, while in Ikeja it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for families?
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.
How safe is Ikeja compared to Jos?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Ikeja or Jos?
If budget matters most, go with Jos. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Ikeja makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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