Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Lagos and Zaria

Lagos
🇳🇬 Nigeria
$941
/mo nomad
Zaria
🇳🇬 Nigeria
-
/mo nomad
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Lagos
Zaria
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.87 ₦5,121
-
-
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$49.34 ₦65.3K
-
-
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.43 ₦9,835
-
-
Cappuccino
$2.80 ₦3,698
-
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.44 ₦580
-
-
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.22 ₦289
-
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$0.97 ₦1,290
-
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.97 ₦2,610
-
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lagos
Zaria
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$3.05 ₦4,031
-
-
White Bread (500g)
$1.45 ₦1,923
-
-
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.26 ₦1,665
-
-
Eggs
$2.27 ₦3,003
-
-
Local Cheese (1kg)
$3.57 ₦4,719
-
-
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.82 ₦5,055
-
-
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$4.37 ₦5,780
-
-
Apples (1kg)
$1.64 ₦2,168
-
-
Banana (1kg)
$1.26 ₦1,666
-
-
Oranges (1kg)
$1.09 ₦1,443
-
-
Tomato (1kg)
$1.34 ₦1,767
-
-
Potato (1kg)
$1.32 ₦1,752
-
-
Onion (1kg)
$1.36 ₦1,803
-
-
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.84 ₦1,111
-
-
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.37 ₦485
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$0.59 ₦778
-
-
Wine (Bottle)
$2.43 ₦3,214
-
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.54 ₦715
-
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.50 ₦659
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Lagos
Zaria
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.41 ₦538
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$20.01 ₦26.5K
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.66 ₦879
-
-
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.96 ₦1,275
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$2.18 ₦2,881
-
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.82 ₦1,082
-
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$11.4K ₦15.1M
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$13.8K ₦18.3M
-
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lagos
Zaria
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$115 ₦151.6K
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$14.89 ₦19.7K
-
-
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$32.78 ₦43.4K
-
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lagos
Zaria
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$28.31 ₦37.5K
-
-
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.98 ₦9,227
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.09 ₦8,059
-
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lagos
Zaria
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$654 ₦865.7K
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$19.8K ₦26.3M
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lagos
Zaria
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$14.85 ₦19.6K
-
-
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$18.57 ₦24.6K
-
-
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$36.39 ₦48.1K
-
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$49.64 ₦65.7K
-
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lagos
Zaria
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$729 ₦964.2K
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$422 ₦557.9K
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,827 ₦3.7M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,493 ₦2.0M
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,191 ₦4.2M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,647 ₦2.2M
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Lagos
Zaria
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$118 ₦156.5K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
18.39
0
-

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

Last update for Lagos: October 4, 2026

Last update for Zaria: October 3, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Lagos
$422
Zaria
–
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lagos
$162
Zaria
–
Groceries & Markets
Lagos
$152
Zaria
–
Eating Out
Lagos
$98
Zaria
–
Clothing & Footwear
Lagos
$54
Zaria
–
Sport & Entertainment
Lagos
$41
Zaria
–
Getting Around
Lagos
$27
Zaria
–
Good to know
🇳🇬 Lagos
🇳🇬 Zaria
🕒 Local time
06:42 6:42 AM
06:42 6:42 AM
Same time as Lagos
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
10,404,112
766,000
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to NGN – Nigerian Naira Converter

Nigerian Naira exchange rates as of October 13, 2026: 1 USD = 1,323 NGN (10,000 NGN = 7.56 USD). 1 EUR = 1,483 NGN (10,000 NGN = 6.75 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Lagos Zaria 700 km ≈ 1 h 15 min nonstop flight
From you
  • Lagos
  • Zaria

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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
Lagos vs Zaria: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is better for families?
Families tend to lean toward Zaria – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Should I move to Lagos or to Zaria?
If budget matters most, go with Zaria. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Lagos makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

Lagos vs other spots: cost of living compared

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