Cost of Living Comparison Between Maiduguri and Port Harcourt Cost of Living Comparison Between Maiduguri and Port Harcourt

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $186 in Maiduguri versus $907 in Port Harcourt.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $342 in Maiduguri versus $1,490 in Port Harcourt.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $497 in Maiduguri versus $2,073 in Port Harcourt.

Living in Maiduguri costs roughly 80% less than in Port Harcourt, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.

Both cities sit below the global median: Maiduguri 86% lower, Port Harcourt 32% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$1.52 ₦2,092

$2.74 ₦3,774

-44.53%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$12.11 ₦16.7K

$34.86 ₦48.0K

-65.26%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$2.85 ₦3,924

$8.00 ₦11.0K

-64.38%

Cappuccino

$1.30 ₦1,791

$2.00 ₦2,754

-35.00%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.37 ₦516

$0.50 ₦688

-26.00%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.29 ₦404

$0.50 ₦682

-42.00%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.21 ₦1,667

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.56 ₦2,144

White Bread (500g)

$0.98 ₦1,350

$1.52 ₦2,091

-35.53%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.95 ₦2,679

$2.82 ₦3,883

-30.85%

Eggs

$1.78 ₦2,457

$2.20 ₦3,025

-19.09%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.94 ₦6,802

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.10 ₦5,645

Apples (1kg)

$3.91 ₦5,382

$2.03 ₦2,792

92.61%

Banana (1kg)

$2.93 ₦4,034

Oranges (1kg)

$1.96 ₦2,703

Tomato (1kg)

$1.03 ₦1,413

$1.98 ₦2,725

-47.98%

Potato (1kg)

$1.46 ₦2,010

Onion (1kg)

$0.97 ₦1,338

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.42 ₦576

$1.17 ₦1,618

-64.10%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.29 ₦396

$0.49 ₦672

-40.82%

Wine (Bottle)

$4.90 ₦6,749

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.57 ₦783

$0.11 ₦154

418.18%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.75 ₦1,032

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$3.63 ₦4,996

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.39 ₦537

$0.65 ₦890

-40.00%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$8.15 ₦11.2K

$12.92 ₦17.8K

-36.92%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$36.42 ₦50.1K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$7.98 ₦11.0K

Cinema Ticket

$6.48 ₦8,918

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$58.3 ₦80.3K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$1,097 ₦1.5M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$19.97 ₦27.5K

$9.31 ₦12.8K

114.50%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$18.17 ₦25.0K

$10.41 ₦14.3K

74.54%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$24.96 ₦34.4K

$71.4 ₦98.3K

-65.05%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$24.74 ₦34.1K

$66.1 ₦91.0K

-62.57%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$486 ₦669.5K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$611 ₦841.8K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,949 ₦2.7M

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,171 ₦1.6M

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$69.8 ₦96.1K

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

Last update for Maiduguri: April 27, 2026

Last update for Port Harcourt: April 25, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Dining out: $12.00 in Maiduguri vs $35.00 in Port Harcourt for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $98.0 vs $101 per month, with Maiduguri 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

Maiduguri vs Port Harcourt: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Maiduguri is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Clothing & Footwear, Eating Out, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Sport & Entertainment. The 388% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

You'd need roughly $279 in Maiduguri and $1,361 in Port Harcourt 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.

Supermarket bills run roughly 3% higher in Port Harcourt. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.

Dining out is cheaper in Maiduguri – a meal for two runs $12.00 versus $35.00 in Port Harcourt. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.

Either city works on $1,000 a month, though Maiduguri gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.

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.

Expats usually find Maiduguri gentler on the wallet – expenses run 388% less than in Port Harcourt. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.