Cost of Living Comparison Between Benin and JosCost of Living Comparison Between Benin and Jos
Monthly Cost of Living
🙂A single person spends $441 per month in Benin vs $528 in Jos, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $745 per month in Benin vs $1,094 in Jos, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $1,049 per month in Benin vs $1,660 in Jos, rent included.
🙂Benin is about 17% cheaper than Jos, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both Benin and Jos are more affordable than the global median – Benin68% lower, Jos62% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Benin
Jos
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.38₦1,825
$2.14₦2,835
-35.51%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$50.9₦67.5K
$29.30₦38.8K
73.72%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.78₦7,655
$4.60₦6,094
25.65%
Cappuccino
$2.89₦3,831
$3.40₦4,508
-15.00%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.29₦388
$0.55₦730
-47.27%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.16₦218
$0.70₦928
-77.14%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$0.97₦1,291
$1.07₦1,421
-9.35%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.01₦1,342
$2.10₦2,779
-51.90%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Benin
Jos
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$3.05₦4,039
$3.63₦4,811
-15.98%
White Bread(500g)
$0.78₦1,031
$0.85₦1,128
-8.24%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.21₦1,603
$2.25₦2,979
-46.22%
Eggs
$2.28₦3,019
$1.86₦2,461
22.58%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$3.50₦4,644
$9.99₦13.2K
-64.96%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.82₦5,064
$5.12₦6,780
-25.39%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$4.38₦5,799
$4.02₦5,324
8.96%
Apples(1kg)
$1.69₦2,243
$1.98₦2,622
-14.65%
Banana(1kg)
$1.26₦1,673
$1.49₦1,975
-15.44%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.15₦1,526
$1.53₦2,026
-24.84%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.28₦1,693
$2.29₦3,028
-44.10%
Potato(1kg)
$1.33₦1,760
$1.80₦2,381
-26.11%
Onion(1kg)
$1.32₦1,756
$2.43₦3,222
-45.68%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.86₦1,134
$0.58₦769
48.28%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.37₦489
$0.37₦488
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$0.54₦719
$2.04₦2,697
-73.53%
Wine(Bottle)
$2.70₦3,583
$5.77₦7,642
-53.21%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.55₦723
$1.23₦1,632
-55.28%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.47₦619
$1.79₦2,378
-73.74%
🚌 Getting Around
Benin
Jos
Difference
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.65₦856
$0.58₦774
12.07%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.99₦1,307
$0.80₦1,054
23.75%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.22₦2,937
$1.83₦2,427
21.31%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.74₦978
$0.58₦768
27.59%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$11.5K₦15.3M
$26.5K₦35.1M
-56.39%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$13.6K₦18.1M
$18.3K₦24.3M
-25.66%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Benin
Jos
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$112₦147.9K
$101₦134.5K
9.96%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$16.10₦21.3K
$6.36₦8,428
153.14%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$32.40₦42.9K
$28.56₦37.9K
13.45%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Benin
Jos
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
-
$39.25₦52.0K
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$12.21₦16.2K
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.80₦6,363
$4.92₦6,523
-2.44%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Benin
Jos
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$661₦875.9K
$44.31₦58.7K
1391.49%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$20.0K₦26.5M
$1,017₦1.3M
1869.59%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Benin
Jos
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$14.73₦19.5K
$9.88₦13.1K
49.09%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$18.08₦24.0K
$15.03₦19.9K
20.29%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$36.46₦48.3K
$50.9₦67.4K
-28.36%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$49.61₦65.7K
$49.03₦65.0K
1.18%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Benin
Jos
Difference
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$549₦727.6K
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$488₦646.9K
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$2,040₦2.7M
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$1,481₦2.0M
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Benin
Jos
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$114₦150.9K
$100₦132.6K
13.75%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
18.05
22.5
-19.78%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Benin: September 7, 2026
Last update for Jos: September 5, 2026
Cost Breakdown
💰Salaries run about 14% higher in Benin, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $51.0 in Benin versus $29.00 in Jos. Groceries tell a different story – $146 in Benin vs $203 in Jos – so Benin wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.
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
Benin vs Jos: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Benin and in Jos compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $441 in Benin, $528 in Jos – roughly 20% apart. Jos costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Benin compared to Jos?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $661 per month in Benin and $792 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 $51.0 in Benin and $29.00 in Jos. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Groceries cost about 40% more in Jos, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
How far does $800 go in Benin compared to Jos?
$800 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $441 in Benin and $528 in Jos, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Where should families live: Benin or Jos?
Families tend to lean toward Benin – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Is Benin or Jos safer for residents?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
How do I decide between Benin and Jos?
If budget matters most, go with Benin. 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.