Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Port Harcourt and Maiduguri

For one person, living is cheaper in Maiduguri: $172 a month against $392 in Port Harcourt, rent and utilities included – about $2,600 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

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Port Harcourt

🇳🇬 Nigeria

$392

/mo nomad

Maiduguri

🇳🇬 Nigeria

$172

/mo nomad

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Port Harcourt and in Maiduguri

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Port Harcourt and in Maiduguri actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $392 in Port Harcourt versus $172 in Maiduguri.

Port Harcourt $392
Maiduguri $172

Estimated couple costs with rent: $815 in Port Harcourt versus $287 in Maiduguri.

Port Harcourt $815
Maiduguri $287

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,238 in Port Harcourt versus $403 in Maiduguri.

Port Harcourt $1,238
Maiduguri $403

Living in Port Harcourt is roughly 128% more expensive than in Maiduguri, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

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

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.04 ₦2,745

$0.50 ₦673

308.00%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$30.33 ₦40.8K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.82 ₦6,483

$1.91 ₦2,566

152.36%

Cappuccino

$1.61 ₦2,170

$0.92 ₦1,233

75.00%

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

$0.60 ₦807

$0.27 ₦366

122.22%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.65 ₦879

$0.21 ₦288

209.52%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.44 ₦1,939

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.03 ₦4,069

Milk (1 liter)

$2.60 ₦3,496

White Bread (500g)

$0.91 ₦1,220

$1.02 ₦1,366

-10.78%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.26 ₦4,384

$2.01 ₦2,708

62.19%

Eggs

$1.76 ₦2,369

$1.78 ₦2,391

-1.12%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$1.88 ₦2,525

$5.04 ₦6,784

-62.70%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.11 ₦5,524

Apples (1kg)

$2.46 ₦3,308

$4.04 ₦5,437

-39.11%

Banana (1kg)

$2.23 ₦2,997

Oranges (1kg)

$1.83 ₦2,462

Tomato (1kg)

$3.06 ₦4,109

$1.03 ₦1,382

197.09%

Potato (1kg)

$2.22 ₦2,983

$1.53 ₦2,064

45.10%

Onion (1kg)

$1.53 ₦2,056

$0.99 ₦1,325

54.55%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.42 ₦559

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.62 ₦835

$0.31 ₦418

100.00%

Wine (Bottle)

$5.28 ₦7,106

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.72 ₦972

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.46 ₦1,967

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.38 ₦514

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.36 ₦478

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.58 ₦783

$0.25 ₦333

132.00%

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

$30.24 ₦40.7K

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

$3.82 ₦5,138

$7.90 ₦10.6K

-51.65%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$14.22 ₦19.1K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$7.89 ₦10.6K

Cinema Ticket

$4.07 ₦5,467

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

$24.79 ₦33.3K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$788 ₦1.1M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$6.85 ₦9,210

$19.77 ₦26.6K

-65.35%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$11.43 ₦15.4K

$18.04 ₦24.3K

-36.64%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$25.04 ₦33.7K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$15.09 ₦20.3K

$25.48 ₦34.3K

-40.78%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$151 ₦203.3K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$104 ₦140.5K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,131 ₦1.5M

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$499 ₦670.7K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$55.8 ₦75.0K

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

Last update for Port Harcourt: October 26, 2026

Last update for Maiduguri: October 24, 2026

Good to know

🇳🇬 Port Harcourt

🇳🇬 Maiduguri

🕒 Local time

00:34 12:34 AM

Same time as Port Harcourt

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

1,382,592

1,197,497

💱 Currency

Nigerian Naira NGN ₦

📈 Exchange rate

10,000 NGN = 7.44 USD

10,000 NGN = 6.66 EUR

10,000 NGN = 7.44 USD

10,000 NGN = 6.66 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

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Port Harcourt Maiduguri 1,040 km ≈ 1 h 45 min nonstop flight

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Port Harcourt
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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 about 56% cheaper overall, especially in groceries and eating out. That difference adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

You’d need roughly $588 in Port Harcourt and $258 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 47% higher in Port Harcourt. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.

All in, you’ll spend $392 per month in Port Harcourt versus $172 in Maiduguri – Maiduguri is about 56% cheaper, which adds up to real savings over time.

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.