Cost of Living Comparison Between Makurdi and AbujaCost of Living Comparison Between Makurdi and Abuja
Monthly Cost of Living
🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $31.52 in Makurdi versus $1,661 in Abuja.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $47.00 in Makurdi versus $2,819 in Abuja.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $61.7 in Makurdi versus $3,976 in Abuja.
🌍Living in Makurdi costs roughly 98% less than in Abuja, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Makurdi is 98% below, Abuja is 24% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Makurdi
Abuja
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$0.66₦906
$2.03₦2,794
-67.49%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
-
$44.41₦61.2K
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.41₦4,695
$5.60₦7,714
-39.11%
Cappuccino
-
$2.56₦3,525
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.14₦198
$0.50₦695
-72.00%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.13₦176
$0.39₦535
-66.67%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$0.60₦822
$1.11₦1,534
-45.95%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.05₦1,445
$1.13₦1,560
-7.08%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Makurdi
Abuja
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
-
$3.12₦4,305
-
White Bread(500g)
-
$1.30₦1,798
-
Rice(white)(1kg)
-
$2.51₦3,458
-
Eggs
-
$1.56₦2,155
-
Local Cheese(1kg)
-
$5.26₦7,252
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
-
$4.62₦6,367
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
-
$4.00₦5,508
-
Apples(1kg)
-
$3.00₦4,128
-
Banana(1kg)
-
$1.76₦2,419
-
Oranges(1kg)
-
$2.18₦3,008
-
Tomato(1kg)
-
$1.69₦2,329
-
Potato(1kg)
-
$2.05₦2,831
-
Onion(1kg)
-
$2.44₦3,368
-
Lettuce(1 head)
-
$0.58₦795
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
-
$0.29₦393
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
-
$2.46₦3,390
-
Wine(Bottle)
-
$5.48₦7,545
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.06₦1,457
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$1.45₦1,998
-
🚌 Getting Around
Makurdi
Abuja
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
-
$0.70₦958
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
-
$0.91₦1,254
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
-
$1.08₦1,486
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
-
$4.42₦6,092
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
-
$0.81₦1,118
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Makurdi
Abuja
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
-
$30.08₦41.5K
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
-
$10.81₦14.9K
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
-
$40.89₦56.4K
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Makurdi
Abuja
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
-
$44.03₦60.7K
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$10.63₦14.6K
-
Cinema Ticket
-
$8.27₦11.4K
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Makurdi
Abuja
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
-
$133₦183.3K
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
-
$1,996₦2.8M
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Makurdi
Abuja
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$20.27₦27.9K
$30.06₦41.4K
-32.57%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$28.56₦39.4K
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
-
$67.9₦93.6K
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$85.5₦117.8K
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Makurdi
Abuja
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$2,418₦3.3M
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$1,167₦1.6M
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$5,536₦7.6M
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$2,634₦3.6M
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$688₦947.9K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$367₦506.4K
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Makurdi
Abuja
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$166₦229.2K
-
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 Makurdi: July 11, 2026
Last update for Abuja: July 13, 2026
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
Makurdi vs Abuja: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Makurdi and in Abuja?
Makurdi and Abuja differ by about 5171% in total monthly costs ($31.52 vs $1,661 including rent). Makurdi is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
What salary covers living expenses in Makurdi compared to Abuja?
You'd need roughly $47.28 in Makurdi and $2,492 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 is more doable on $1,000 per month?
At $31.52 in Makurdi versus $1,661 in Abuja, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Makurdi but tight or insufficient in Abuja. The gap between the two cities makes Makurdi the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Makurdi 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: Makurdi or Abuja?
Expats usually find Makurdi gentler on the wallet – expenses run 5171% less than in Abuja. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.