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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $528 per month in Jos vs $2,411 in Ikeja, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,094 per month in Jos vs $4,102 in Ikeja, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,660 per month in Jos vs $5,792 in Ikeja, rent included.

Jos is about 78% cheaper than Ikeja, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Jos sits 62% below the global median, while Ikeja is 75% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Jos
Ikeja
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.14 ₦2,835
$0.53 ₦706
303.77%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$29.30 ₦38.8K
$11.37 ₦15.1K
157.70%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.60 ₦6,094
$7.41 ₦9,821
-37.92%
Cappuccino
$3.40 ₦4,508
$2.72 ₦3,600
25.00%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.55 ₦730
$0.15 ₦196
266.67%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.70 ₦928
$0.06 ₦81.8
1066.67%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.07 ₦1,421
$0.31 ₦412
245.16%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.10 ₦2,779
$2.02 ₦2,677
3.96%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Jos
Ikeja
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$3.63 ₦4,811
$0.72 ₦956
404.17%
White Bread (500g)
$0.85 ₦1,128
$0.72 ₦953
18.06%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.25 ₦2,979
$1.20 ₦1,594
87.50%
Eggs
$1.86 ₦2,461
$2.23 ₦2,955
-16.59%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.99 ₦13.2K
$3.56 ₦4,719
180.62%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$5.12 ₦6,780
$3.98 ₦5,272
28.64%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$4.02 ₦5,324
$4.43 ₦5,869
-9.26%
Apples (1kg)
$1.98 ₦2,622
$1.70 ₦2,257
16.47%
Banana (1kg)
$1.49 ₦1,975
$1.29 ₦1,712
15.50%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.53 ₦2,026
$1.13 ₦1,499
35.40%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.29 ₦3,028
$1.27 ₦1,679
80.31%
Potato (1kg)
$1.80 ₦2,381
$1.32 ₦1,745
36.36%
Onion (1kg)
$2.43 ₦3,222
$1.30 ₦1,717
86.92%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.58 ₦769
$0.83 ₦1,104
-30.12%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.37 ₦488
$0.39 ₦519
-5.13%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.04 ₦2,697
$0.55 ₦724
270.91%
Wine (Bottle)
$5.77 ₦7,642
$2.68 ₦3,553
115.30%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.23 ₦1,632
$0.54 ₦720
127.78%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.79 ₦2,378
$0.46 ₦608
289.13%
🚌 Getting Around
Jos
Ikeja
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
-
$0.10 ₦131
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$3.44 ₦4,562
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.58 ₦774
$0.70 ₦921
-17.14%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.80 ₦1,054
$0.92 ₦1,213
-13.04%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$1.83 ₦2,427
$2.23 ₦2,961
-17.94%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.58 ₦768
$0.14 ₦186
314.29%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.5K ₦35.1M
$11.2K ₦14.9M
135.47%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$18.3K ₦24.3M
$13.4K ₦17.7M
37.05%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Jos
Ikeja
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$101 ₦134.5K
$110 ₦145.3K
-7.45%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$6.36 ₦8,428
$16.20 ₦21.5K
-60.74%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$28.56 ₦37.9K
$33.03 ₦43.8K
-13.53%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Jos
Ikeja
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$39.25 ₦52.0K
-
-
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$12.21 ₦16.2K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.92 ₦6,523
$4.67 ₦6,193
5.35%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Jos
Ikeja
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$44.31 ₦58.7K
$662 ₦877.0K
-93.30%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$1,017 ₦1.3M
$19.6K ₦26.0M
-94.82%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Jos
Ikeja
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$9.88 ₦13.1K
$14.46 ₦19.2K
-31.67%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$15.03 ₦19.9K
$18.41 ₦24.4K
-18.36%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$50.9 ₦67.4K
$35.95 ₦47.6K
41.56%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$49.03 ₦65.0K
$47.64 ₦63.1K
2.92%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Jos
Ikeja
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
-
$3,447 ₦4.6M
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
-
$1,984 ₦2.6M
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$549 ₦727.6K
$6,568 ₦8.7M
-91.64%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$488 ₦646.9K
$4,908 ₦6.5M
-90.05%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,040 ₦2.7M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,481 ₦2.0M
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Jos
Ikeja
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$100 ₦132.6K
$74.0 ₦98.1K
35.25%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
22.5
18.05
24.65%

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

Last update for Jos: September 5, 2026

Last update for Ikeja: September 7, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Salaries run about 35% higher in Jos, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $29.00 in Jos versus $11.00 in Ikeja. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $203 vs $123 – making Ikeja the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

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
Jos vs Ikeja: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Jos or Ikeja?
Ikeja costs about 357% 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 Jos and in Ikeja?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $792 per month in Jos and $3,617 in Ikeja. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do dining costs compare in Jos and in Ikeja?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $29.00 in Jos and $11.00 in Ikeja. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Jos or in Ikeja?
Interestingly, groceries are about 66% 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 Jos or in Ikeja?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Jos, where all-in costs run around $528, than in Ikeja at $2,411. 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 Jos compared to Ikeja?
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 Jos or to Ikeja?
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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