Cost of Living Comparison Between Maiduguri and Jos Cost of Living Comparison Between Maiduguri and Jos

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $191 per month in Maiduguri vs $999 in Jos, rent included.

A couple spends around $345 per month in Maiduguri vs $1,380 in Jos, rent included.

A family of three spends $498 per month in Maiduguri vs $1,762 in Jos, rent included.

Maiduguri is about 81% cheaper than Jos, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Maiduguri and Jos are more affordable than the global median – Maiduguri 86% lower, Jos 25% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Maiduguri
Jos
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.53 ₦2,083
$1.27 ₦1,735
20.47%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$11.78 ₦16.0K
$13.94 ₦19.0K
-15.49%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$2.71 ₦3,691
$4.72 ₦6,422
-42.58%
Cappuccino
$1.36 ₦1,846
$2.37 ₦3,233
-42.62%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.37 ₦509
$0.37 ₦510
-
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.29 ₦400
$0.25 ₦341
16.00%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
-
$0.71 ₦963
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Maiduguri
Jos
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
-
$3.62 ₦4,923
-
White Bread (500g)
$1.01 ₦1,381
$0.90 ₦1,221
12.22%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.95 ₦2,650
$3.30 ₦4,493
-40.91%
Eggs
$1.76 ₦2,397
$3.03 ₦4,130
-41.91%
Local Cheese (1kg)
-
$10.02 ₦13.7K
-
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$5.07 ₦6,910
$5.05 ₦6,878
0.40%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$3.99 ₦5,433
$4.56 ₦6,214
-12.50%
Apples (1kg)
$3.89 ₦5,294
$3.98 ₦5,416
-2.26%
Banana (1kg)
-
$4.96 ₦6,753
-
Oranges (1kg)
-
$2.77 ₦3,771
-
Tomato (1kg)
$1.01 ₦1,379
$4.06 ₦5,529
-75.12%
Potato (1kg)
$1.52 ₦2,074
$2.21 ₦3,011
-31.22%
Onion (1kg)
$1.03 ₦1,401
$1.95 ₦2,654
-47.18%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.39 ₦525
$0.60 ₦819
-35.00%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.31 ₦428
$0.77 ₦1,046
-59.74%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
-
$0.75 ₦1,017
-
🚌 Getting Around
Maiduguri
Jos
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.53 ₦721
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
-
$0.98 ₦1,341
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
-
$9.94 ₦13.5K
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.37 ₦498
$0.96 ₦1,313
-61.46%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Maiduguri
Jos
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
-
$101 ₦138.0K
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$7.89 ₦10.7K
$10.03 ₦13.7K
-21.34%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Maiduguri
Jos
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
-
$39.42 ₦53.7K
-
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$7.83 ₦10.7K
$11.77 ₦16.0K
-33.47%
Cinema Ticket
-
$8.93 ₦12.2K
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Maiduguri
Jos
Difference
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
-
$1,009 ₦1.4M
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Maiduguri
Jos
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$20.15 ₦27.4K
$9.86 ₦13.4K
104.36%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$18.34 ₦25.0K
$14.74 ₦20.1K
24.42%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$25.49 ₦34.7K
$49.83 ₦67.9K
-48.85%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$24.89 ₦33.9K
$50.8 ₦69.2K
-51.02%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Maiduguri
Jos
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
-
$700 ₦952.7K
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
-
$464 ₦631.5K
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
-
$875 ₦1.2M
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
-
$587 ₦798.9K
-
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
-
$2,013 ₦2.7M
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
-
$1,483 ₦2.0M
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Maiduguri
Jos
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
-
$67.3 ₦91.6K
-

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

Last update for Maiduguri: May 31, 2026

Last update for Jos: June 2, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A mid-range dinner for two costs $12.00 in Maiduguri versus $14.00 in Jos. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $99.0 vs $246 – making Maiduguri 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
Maiduguri vs Jos: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Maiduguri and Jos compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $191 in Maiduguri, $999 in Jos – roughly 422% apart. Jos costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Maiduguri compared to Jos?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $287 per month in Maiduguri and $1,498 in Jos. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $12.00 in Maiduguri and $14.00 in Jos. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Which city is more expensive overall: Maiduguri or Jos?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $191 in Maiduguri and $999 in Jos. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Which city is more doable on $1,500 per month?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Maiduguri, where all-in costs run around $191, than in Jos at $999. In Maiduguri it covers expenses comfortably, while in Jos it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Where should families live: Maiduguri or Jos?
Families tend to lean toward Maiduguri – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
How do I decide between Maiduguri and Jos?
If budget matters most, go with Maiduguri. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Jos makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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