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

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $400 in Port Harcourt versus $173 in Maiduguri.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $822 in Port Harcourt versus $294 in Maiduguri.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,245 in Port Harcourt versus $416 in Maiduguri.

Living in Port Harcourt is roughly 131% more expensive than in Maiduguri, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

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

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$1.95 ₦2,590

$0.51 ₦673

282.35%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$30.80 ₦40.8K

$3.71 ₦4,921

730.19%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.74 ₦6,282

$1.86 ₦2,471

154.84%

Cappuccino

$1.65 ₦2,190

$0.88 ₦1,168

87.50%

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

$0.62 ₦816

$0.20 ₦264

210.00%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.65 ₦859

$0.23 ₦304

182.61%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.42 ₦1,876

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.04 ₦4,029

Milk (1 liter)

$2.61 ₦3,456

White Bread (500g)

$0.94 ₦1,244

$0.97 ₦1,288

-3.09%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.21 ₦4,248

$2.03 ₦2,690

58.13%

Eggs

$1.72 ₦2,276

$1.78 ₦2,360

-3.37%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$1.83 ₦2,430

$5.05 ₦6,695

-63.76%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$3.93 ₦5,205

Apples (1kg)

$2.50 ₦3,311

$4.05 ₦5,363

-38.27%

Banana (1kg)

$2.30 ₦3,050

Oranges (1kg)

$1.82 ₦2,416

Tomato (1kg)

$2.94 ₦3,900

$1.01 ₦1,342

191.09%

Potato (1kg)

$2.23 ₦2,960

$1.47 ₦1,947

51.70%

Onion (1kg)

$1.54 ₦2,043

$1.02 ₦1,350

50.98%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.39 ₦516

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.63 ₦840

$0.31 ₦414

103.23%

Wine (Bottle)

$5.32 ₦7,048

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.72 ₦951

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.52 ₦2,015

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.37 ₦485

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.36 ₦483

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.54 ₦720

$0.25 ₦328

116.00%

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)

$3.80 ₦5,035

$7.93 ₦10.5K

-52.08%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$14.46 ₦19.2K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$7.89 ₦10.5K

Cinema Ticket

$4.10 ₦5,435

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

$25.44 ₦33.7K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$807 ₦1.1M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$6.98 ₦9,247

$20.07 ₦26.6K

-65.22%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$11.74 ₦15.6K

$17.70 ₦23.5K

-33.67%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$25.20 ₦33.4K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$14.87 ₦19.7K

$24.66 ₦32.7K

-39.70%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$154 ₦203.9K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$105 ₦138.6K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,137 ₦1.5M

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$507 ₦671.5K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$56.1 ₦74.4K

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

Last update for Port Harcourt: September 15, 2026

Last update for Maiduguri: September 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Dining out: $31.00 in Port Harcourt vs $4.00 in Maiduguri for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $147 vs $99.0 per month, with Maiduguri cheaper across the board.

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 Maiduguri: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Maiduguri is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Sport & Entertainment. The 131% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

You'd need roughly $599 in Port Harcourt and $259 in Maiduguri 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 49% higher in Port Harcourt. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.

Dining out is cheaper in Maiduguri – a meal for two runs $4.00 versus $31.00 in Port Harcourt. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.

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.

Expats usually find Maiduguri gentler on the wallet – expenses run 131% less than in Port Harcourt. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.