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Cost of living in Maiduguri (2026)
Lowest rents of any major city tracked here, but supply hours on most feeders are short and fuel arrives at a premium over distance.
74
Overall cost index
national median = 100
60
Rent index
1-bed: ₦360,000/yr
₦170,000
Monthly all-in
single adult, 1-bed
Band E
Electricity band
Yola Electricity Distribution Co. (YEDC)
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What things cost in Maiduguri
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Rent, 1-bedroom flat | ₦30,000 | ₦360,000 |
| Rent, 2-bedroom flat | ₦50,000 | ₦600,000 |
| Groceries, single adult | ₦78,000 | ₦936,000 |
| Transport / commute | ₦35,000 | ₦420,000 |
| Data / internet | ₦12,000 | ₦144,000 |
| Utilities, gas, levies | ₦15,000 | ₦180,000 |
| Total (1-bed) | ₦170,000 | ₦2,040,000 |
Excludes school fees, healthcare, generator fuel and savings — which for many households are larger than the items above.
What salary you need in Maiduguri
Treating rent as no more than 25% of gross income, a one-bedroom flat at ₦360,000 a year implies gross income of about ₦1,440,000 a year, or ₦120,000 a month. To cover the full ₦170,000 monthly cost with any margin, plan on roughly ₦340,000 a month gross.
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Salaries in Maiduguri
| Profession | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bank Branch / Unit Manager | ₦370,000 | ₦890,000 | ₦1,850,000 |
| Project Manager | ₦220,000 | ₦520,000 | ₦1,330,000 |
| Medical Doctor | ₦220,000 | ₦480,000 | ₦1,110,000 |
| Marketing Manager | ₦185,000 | ₦445,000 | ₦1,110,000 |
| Software Developer | ₦185,000 | ₦405,000 | ₦1,330,000 |
| Data Analyst | ₦150,000 | ₦335,000 | ₦890,000 |
| UI/UX Designer | ₦135,000 | ₦310,000 | ₦815,000 |
| University Lecturer | ₦150,000 | ₦310,000 | ₦740,000 |
| Pharmacist | ₦150,000 | ₦295,000 | ₦665,000 |
| Civil Engineer | ₦135,000 | ₦295,000 | ₦665,000 |
| Mechanical Engineer | ₦120,000 | ₦260,000 | ₦590,000 |
| Electrical Engineer | ₦120,000 | ₦260,000 | ₦630,000 |
Compare Maiduguri with another city
- Maiduguri vs Lagos
- Maiduguri vs Abuja
- Maiduguri vs Port Harcourt
- Maiduguri vs Ibadan
- Maiduguri vs Kano
- Maiduguri vs Enugu
- Maiduguri vs Benin City
- Maiduguri vs Kaduna
- Maiduguri vs Warri
- Maiduguri vs Jos
- Maiduguri vs Abeokuta
- Maiduguri vs Ilorin
- Maiduguri vs Uyo
- Maiduguri vs Owerri
- Maiduguri vs Calabar
- Maiduguri vs Sokoto
- Maiduguri vs Asaba
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to live in Maiduguri?
A single adult renting a one-bedroom flat needs roughly ₦170,000 a month in Maiduguri for rent, food, transport, data and utilities. That is 74 on an index where the Nigerian urban median is 100.
What is the average rent in Maiduguri?
A one-bedroom flat runs about ₦360,000 a year and a two-bedroom about ₦600,000.
Is Maiduguri expensive compared with other Nigerian cities?
Maiduguri sits at 74 on the overall cost index. For reference, Lagos is the most expensive city tracked at 185 and Maiduguri the least at 74.
What salary do I need to live comfortably in Maiduguri?
Treating rent as no more than 25% of gross income, a one-bedroom flat at ₦360,000 a year implies a gross income of about ₦1,440,000 a year, or ₦120,000 a month.
Which electricity tariff band is Maiduguri on?
Most feeders in Maiduguri are served by Yola Electricity Distribution Co. (YEDC) and typically fall in Band E. Your band is set by your feeder, not your city, so check the rate on your own vending receipt.
Calculators
Rent affordability
What rent you can afford, and the lump sum the advance really costs you.
City salary compare
What salary you need to move cities without going backwards.
Electricity bill
What your units should cost on your NERC band, with VAT.
Commute cost
What getting to work really costs you each month.