Cost of Living Comparison Between Kano and AbujaCost of Living Comparison Between Kano and Abuja
Monthly Cost of Living
🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $105 in Kano versus $1,121 in Abuja.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $189 in Kano versus $2,034 in Abuja.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $273 in Kano versus $2,947 in Abuja.
🌍Living in Kano costs roughly 91% less than in Abuja, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Kano92% lower, Abuja18% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Kano
Abuja
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.71₦2,266
$2.22₦2,940
-22.97%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$14.76₦19.6K
$30.30₦40.1K
-51.29%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.41₦8,491
$4.44₦5,890
44.37%
Cappuccino
-
$3.33₦4,407
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.17₦220
$0.51₦682
-66.67%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.14₦189
$0.71₦943
-80.28%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$0.29₦379
$1.07₦1,414
-72.90%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.29₦380
$2.09₦2,767
-86.12%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Kano
Abuja
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
-
$3.62₦4,796
-
White Bread(500g)
$0.63₦834
$1.31₦1,734
-51.91%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.58₦773
$2.17₦2,881
-73.27%
Eggs
$0.93₦1,229
$1.88₦2,489
-50.53%
Local Cheese(1kg)
-
$11.16₦14.8K
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
-
$5.39₦7,143
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
-
$5.90₦7,824
-
Apples(1kg)
-
$2.07₦2,741
-
Banana(1kg)
-
$1.43₦1,891
-
Oranges(1kg)
-
$1.51₦2,003
-
Tomato(1kg)
-
$2.36₦3,131
-
Potato(1kg)
-
$1.81₦2,397
-
Onion(1kg)
-
$2.49₦3,295
-
Lettuce(1 head)
-
$0.56₦741
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.62₦827
$0.37₦492
67.57%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
-
$2.02₦2,671
-
Wine(Bottle)
-
$5.71₦7,568
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.19₦1,583
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.29₦381
$1.85₦2,452
-84.32%
🚌 Getting Around
Kano
Abuja
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.29₦388
$0.36₦481
-19.44%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$12.65₦16.8K
$32.36₦42.9K
-60.91%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
-
$0.62₦821
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
-
$0.88₦1,163
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
-
$1.87₦2,483
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.49₦646
$0.54₦719
-9.26%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$25.8K₦34.2M
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$18.2K₦24.1M
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Kano
Abuja
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$7.53₦9,977
$111₦146.7K
-93.20%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
-
$6.61₦8,758
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$6.60₦8,748
$28.79₦38.2K
-77.08%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Kano
Abuja
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$20.50₦27.2K
$36.48₦48.3K
-43.80%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$11.07₦14.7K
-
Cinema Ticket
-
$4.98₦6,603
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Kano
Abuja
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
-
$44.89₦59.5K
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
-
$3,151₦4.2M
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Kano
Abuja
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
-
$25.50₦33.8K
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$60.6₦80.3K
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
-
$77.5₦102.7K
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$106₦140.2K
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Kano
Abuja
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$1,391₦1.8M
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$455₦603.4K
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$3,403₦4.5M
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$1,533₦2.0M
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$701₦928.4K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$380₦504.1K
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Kano
Abuja
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$165₦218.4K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
0
22.5
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Kano: September 14, 2026
Last update for Abuja: September 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🛒Dining out: $15.00 in Kano vs $30.00 in Abuja for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $20.00 vs $219 per month, with Kano cheaper across the board.
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
Kano vs Abuja: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Kano and in Abuja?
Kano and Abuja differ by about 972% in total monthly costs ($105 vs $1,121 including rent). Kano is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
What salary covers living expenses in Kano compared to Abuja?
You'd need roughly $157 in Kano and $1,681 in Abuja to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Kano – a meal for two runs $15.00 versus $30.00 in Abuja. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
How do commuting costs compare in Kano and in Abuja?
A monthly transit pass in Kano runs roughly 156% less than in Abuja. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $105 in Kano versus $1,121 in Abuja, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Kano but tight or insufficient in Abuja. The gap between the two cities makes Kano the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Kano and Abuja?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Where should expats move: Kano or Abuja?
Expats usually find Kano gentler on the wallet – expenses run 972% less than in Abuja. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.