Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Maiduguri and Port Harcourt

For one person, living is cheaper in Maiduguri: $172 a month against $392 in Port Harcourt, rent and utilities included – about $2,600 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

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Maiduguri

🇳🇬 Nigeria

$172

/mo nomad

Port Harcourt

🇳🇬 Nigeria

$392

/mo nomad

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Maiduguri and in Port Harcourt

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Maiduguri and in Port Harcourt actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $172 in Maiduguri versus $392 in Port Harcourt.

Maiduguri $172
Port Harcourt $392

Estimated couple costs with rent: $287 in Maiduguri versus $815 in Port Harcourt.

Maiduguri $287
Port Harcourt $815

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $403 in Maiduguri versus $1,238 in Port Harcourt.

Maiduguri $403
Port Harcourt $1,238

Living in Maiduguri costs roughly 56% less than in Port Harcourt, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both cities sit below the global median: Maiduguri 87% lower, Port Harcourt 71% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$0.50 ₦671

$2.04 ₦2,738

-75.49%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$30.33 ₦40.7K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$1.91 ₦2,560

$4.82 ₦6,468

-60.37%

Cappuccino

$0.92 ₦1,230

$1.61 ₦2,165

-42.86%

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

$0.27 ₦366

$0.60 ₦806

-55.00%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.21 ₦288

$0.65 ₦877

-67.69%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.44 ₦1,934

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.03 ₦4,060

Milk (1 liter)

$2.60 ₦3,488

White Bread (500g)

$1.02 ₦1,363

$0.91 ₦1,217

12.09%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.01 ₦2,701

$3.26 ₦4,374

-38.34%

Eggs

$1.78 ₦2,385

$1.76 ₦2,363

1.14%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.04 ₦6,768

$1.88 ₦2,519

168.09%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.11 ₦5,511

Apples (1kg)

$4.04 ₦5,424

$2.46 ₦3,301

64.23%

Banana (1kg)

$2.23 ₦2,990

Oranges (1kg)

$1.83 ₦2,456

Tomato (1kg)

$1.03 ₦1,379

$3.06 ₦4,099

-66.34%

Potato (1kg)

$1.53 ₦2,059

$2.22 ₦2,976

-31.08%

Onion (1kg)

$0.99 ₦1,322

$1.53 ₦2,052

-35.29%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.42 ₦558

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.31 ₦417

$0.62 ₦833

-50.00%

Wine (Bottle)

$5.28 ₦7,090

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.72 ₦970

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.46 ₦1,962

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.38 ₦512

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.36 ₦477

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.25 ₦332

$0.58 ₦781

-56.90%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$30.24 ₦40.6K

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

$7.90 ₦10.6K

$3.82 ₦5,126

106.81%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$14.22 ₦19.1K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$7.89 ₦10.6K

Cinema Ticket

$4.07 ₦5,455

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

$24.79 ₦33.3K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$788 ₦1.1M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$19.77 ₦26.5K

$6.85 ₦9,189

188.61%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$18.04 ₦24.2K

$11.43 ₦15.3K

57.83%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$25.04 ₦33.6K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$25.48 ₦34.2K

$15.09 ₦20.2K

68.85%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$151 ₦202.8K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$104 ₦140.1K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,131 ₦1.5M

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$499 ₦669.2K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$55.8 ₦74.9K

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

Last update for Maiduguri: October 24, 2026

Last update for Port Harcourt: October 26, 2026

Good to know

🇳🇬 Maiduguri

🇳🇬 Port Harcourt

🕒 Local time

06:13 6:13 AM

Same time as Maiduguri

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

1,197,497

1,382,592

💱 Currency

Nigerian Naira NGN ₦

📈 Exchange rate

10,000 NGN = 7.45 USD

10,000 NGN = 6.69 EUR

10,000 NGN = 7.45 USD

10,000 NGN = 6.69 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

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Between locations

Maiduguri Port Harcourt 1,040 km ≈ 1 h 45 min nonstop flight

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Maiduguri
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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 about 56% cheaper overall, especially in groceries and eating out. That difference adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

You’d need roughly $258 in Maiduguri and $588 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 47% higher in Port Harcourt. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.

All in, you’ll spend $172 per month in Maiduguri versus $392 in Port Harcourt – Maiduguri is about 56% cheaper, which adds up to real savings over time.

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.