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: $916 in Port Harcourt versus $190 in Maiduguri.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,479 in Port Harcourt versus $342 in Maiduguri.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,043 in Port Harcourt versus $494 in Maiduguri.

Living in Port Harcourt is roughly 382% more expensive than Maiduguri, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.

Both cities sit below the global median: Port Harcourt 31% lower, Maiduguri 86% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.81 ₦3,804

$1.57 ₦2,125

78.98%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$35.60 ₦48.3K

$12.08 ₦16.4K

194.70%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.09 ₦11.0K

$2.85 ₦3,861

183.86%

Cappuccino

$2.06 ₦2,792

$1.36 ₦1,849

51.47%

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

$0.52 ₦707

$0.35 ₦471

48.57%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.50 ₦679

$0.27 ₦362

85.19%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.25 ₦1,697

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.55 ₦2,105

White Bread (500g)

$1.47 ₦1,989

$1.01 ₦1,376

45.54%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.86 ₦3,880

$1.94 ₦2,634

47.42%

Eggs

$2.18 ₦2,958

$1.81 ₦2,459

20.44%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.09 ₦6,900

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$3.93 ₦5,324

Apples (1kg)

$1.98 ₦2,685

$3.90 ₦5,292

-49.23%

Banana (1kg)

$2.82 ₦3,817

Oranges (1kg)

$1.89 ₦2,564

Tomato (1kg)

$1.89 ₦2,558

$0.97 ₦1,320

94.85%

Potato (1kg)

$1.54 ₦2,094

Onion (1kg)

$0.98 ₦1,335

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.23 ₦1,672

$0.41 ₦557

200.00%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.53 ₦724

$0.29 ₦392

82.76%

Wine (Bottle)

$5.14 ₦6,965

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.12 ₦169

$0.53 ₦713

-77.36%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.74 ₦999

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$3.68 ₦4,984

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.67 ₦910

$0.39 ₦534

71.79%

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

$12.77 ₦17.3K

$7.93 ₦10.7K

61.03%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$35.28 ₦47.8K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$7.78 ₦10.5K

Cinema Ticket

$6.27 ₦8,495

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

$58.1 ₦78.7K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$1,105 ₦1.5M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$9.46 ₦12.8K

$19.96 ₦27.1K

-52.61%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$10.34 ₦14.0K

$18.05 ₦24.5K

-42.71%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$72.4 ₦98.1K

$24.85 ₦33.7K

191.19%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$66.9 ₦90.7K

$24.63 ₦33.4K

171.62%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$498 ₦675.0K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$592 ₦802.2K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,940 ₦2.6M

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,196 ₦1.6M

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$55.4 ₦75.1K

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

Last update for Port Harcourt: June 14, 2026

Last update for Maiduguri: June 15, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Dining out: $36.00 in Port Harcourt vs $12.00 in Maiduguri for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $100 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, Clothing & Footwear, Sport & Entertainment, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 382% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

You'd need roughly $1,374 in Port Harcourt and $285 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 2% 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 $12.00 versus $36.00 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 382% less than in Port Harcourt. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.