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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $400 per month in Port Harcourt vs $407 in Aba, rent included.

A couple spends around $822 per month in Port Harcourt vs $667 in Aba, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,245 per month in Port Harcourt vs $927 in Aba, rent included.

Port Harcourt is about 2% cheaper than Aba, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.

Both Port Harcourt and Aba are more affordable than the global median – Port Harcourt 71% lower, Aba 70% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Port Harcourt
Aba
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.95 ₦2,597
-
-
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$30.80 ₦40.9K
-
-
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.74 ₦6,297
$7.28 ₦9,675
-34.89%
Cappuccino
$1.65 ₦2,195
$0.89 ₦1,181
85.39%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.62 ₦818
-
-
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.65 ₦861
-
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.42 ₦1,880
$2.05 ₦2,729
-30.73%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.04 ₦4,039
$2.41 ₦3,196
26.14%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Port Harcourt
Aba
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.61 ₦3,464
$3.79 ₦5,030
-31.13%
White Bread (500g)
$0.94 ₦1,247
$2.30 ₦3,052
-59.13%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.21 ₦4,258
-
-
Eggs
$1.72 ₦2,281
-
-
Local Cheese (1kg)
-
$11.11 ₦14.8K
-
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$1.83 ₦2,436
-
-
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
-
$1.29 ₦1,709
-
Apples (1kg)
$2.50 ₦3,319
$5.14 ₦6,825
-51.36%
Banana (1kg)
$2.30 ₦3,057
$0.55 ₦728
318.18%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.82 ₦2,422
-
-
Tomato (1kg)
$2.94 ₦3,909
-
-
Potato (1kg)
$2.23 ₦2,967
$3.50 ₦4,656
-36.29%
Onion (1kg)
$1.54 ₦2,048
-
-
Lettuce (1 head)
-
$1.14 ₦1,518
-
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.63 ₦843
$0.16 ₦214
293.75%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
-
$1.47 ₦1,948
-
Wine (Bottle)
$5.32 ₦7,065
$7.62 ₦10.1K
-30.18%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.72 ₦954
$1.24 ₦1,653
-41.94%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.52 ₦2,020
$1.46 ₦1,939
4.11%
🚌 Getting Around
Port Harcourt
Aba
Difference
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$9.50 ₦12.6K
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.36 ₦484
-
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.54 ₦722
-
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$5,988 ₦8.0M
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$7,689 ₦10.2M
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Port Harcourt
Aba
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$29.83 ₦39.6K
$117 ₦155.2K
-74.46%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$3.80 ₦5,047
$2.30 ₦3,062
65.22%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
-
$44.85 ₦59.6K
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Port Harcourt
Aba
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$14.46 ₦19.2K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.10 ₦5,448
$2.06 ₦2,731
99.03%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Port Harcourt
Aba
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$25.44 ₦33.8K
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$807 ₦1.1M
$1,063 ₦1.4M
-24.08%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Port Harcourt
Aba
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$6.98 ₦9,269
-
-
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$11.74 ₦15.6K
-
-
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
-
$15.39 ₦20.4K
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$14.87 ₦19.8K
$18.68 ₦24.8K
-20.40%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Port Harcourt
Aba
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$154 ₦204.4K
$134 ₦177.5K
15.10%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$105 ₦138.9K
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,137 ₦1.5M
$459 ₦609.8K
147.62%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$507 ₦673.2K
$228 ₦303.1K
122.12%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
-
$1,101 ₦1.5M
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
-
$474 ₦629.3K
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Port Harcourt
Aba
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$56.1 ₦74.6K
$97.4 ₦129.4K
-42.38%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
0
12
-

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

Last update for Port Harcourt: September 15, 2026

Last update for Aba: September 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $154 in Port Harcourt versus $134 in Aba. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 74% higher in Aba, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

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
Port Harcourt vs Aba: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Aba cheaper than Port Harcourt?
Yes – Aba is pricier by about 2%, and the gap shows up most in Monthly Utilities & Internet. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $599 per month in Port Harcourt and $610 in Aba. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Port Harcourt, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
What are total monthly expenses in Port Harcourt and in Aba?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $400 in Port Harcourt and $407 in Aba. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
How do food prices compare in Port Harcourt and in Aba?
Groceries cost about 14% more in Aba, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Is $1,200 enough for either Port Harcourt or Aba?
$1,200 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $400 in Port Harcourt and $407 in Aba, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Is Port Harcourt or Aba more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Port Harcourt – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Port Harcourt. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Aba makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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