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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $397 per month in Port Harcourt vs $817 in Calabar, rent included.

A couple spends around $819 per month in Port Harcourt vs $1,137 in Calabar, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,242 per month in Port Harcourt vs $1,456 in Calabar, rent included.

Port Harcourt is about 51% cheaper than Calabar, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Port Harcourt and Calabar are more affordable than the global median – Port Harcourt 70% lower, Calabar 39% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.04 ₦2,696

$1.13 ₦1,493

80.53%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$29.89 ₦39.6K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.70 ₦6,222

Cappuccino

$1.66 ₦2,195

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

$0.61 ₦812

$0.37 ₦484

64.86%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.63 ₦830

$0.18 ₦245

250.00%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.46 ₦1,933

$0.94 ₦1,240

55.32%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.95 ₦3,907

$1.24 ₦1,636

137.90%

Milk (1 liter)

$2.70 ₦3,581

White Bread (500g)

$0.97 ₦1,287

$1.33 ₦1,756

-27.07%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.24 ₦4,286

$1.54 ₦2,043

110.39%

Eggs

$1.80 ₦2,383

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$1.93 ₦2,554

Apples (1kg)

$2.56 ₦3,394

Banana (1kg)

$2.21 ₦2,925

Oranges (1kg)

$1.86 ₦2,465

Tomato (1kg)

$3.10 ₦4,109

Potato (1kg)

$2.28 ₦3,024

Onion (1kg)

$1.47 ₦1,946

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.64 ₦853

$0.47 ₦626

36.17%

Wine (Bottle)

$5.39 ₦7,141

$4.57 ₦6,048

17.94%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.74 ₦980

$1.13 ₦1,494

-34.51%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.55 ₦2,059

$1.49 ₦1,977

4.03%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.39 ₦521

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.54 ₦714

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

$29.83 ₦39.5K

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

$3.82 ₦5,054

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$14.14 ₦18.7K

Cinema Ticket

$4.03 ₦5,342

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

$24.76 ₦32.8K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$799 ₦1.1M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$6.88 ₦9,108

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$11.94 ₦15.8K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$15.28 ₦20.2K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$154 ₦203.8K

$1,114 ₦1.5M

-86.18%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$107 ₦141.9K

$754 ₦998.3K

-85.78%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,147 ₦1.5M

$1,898 ₦2.5M

-39.55%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$502 ₦664.6K

$1,367 ₦1.8M

-63.28%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$56.2 ₦74.4K

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

Last update for Port Harcourt: October 6, 2026

Last update for Calabar: October 3, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $154 in Port Harcourt versus $1,114 in Calabar. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

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 Calabar: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Calabar costs about 106% more than Port Harcourt, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $595 per month in Port Harcourt and $1,226 in Calabar. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $397 in Port Harcourt and $817 in Calabar. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Interestingly, groceries are about 252% cheaper in Calabar – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Port Harcourt, where all-in costs run around $397, than in Calabar at $817. In Port Harcourt it covers expenses comfortably, while in Calabar it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

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.

If budget matters most, go with Port Harcourt. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Calabar makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.