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Abuja vs Maiduguri: cost of living compared (2026)
Maiduguri is about 56% cheaper to live in than Abuja overall. On rent alone the gap is wider.
170
Abuja index
median = 100
74
Maiduguri index
median = 100
₦382,000
Abuja monthly
1-bed, single adult
₦170,000
Maiduguri monthly
1-bed, single adult
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Side by side
| Item | Abuja | Maiduguri | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent, 1-bedroom (per year) | ₦1,260,000 | ₦360,000 | -₦900,000 |
| Rent, 2-bedroom (per year) | ₦2,100,000 | ₦600,000 | -₦1,500,000 |
| Groceries (monthly) | ₦147,000 | ₦78,000 | -₦69,000 |
| Transport (monthly) | ₦79,000 | ₦35,000 | -₦44,000 |
| Data / internet (monthly) | ₦17,000 | ₦12,000 | -₦5,000 |
| Utilities & levies (monthly) | ₦34,000 | ₦15,000 | -₦19,000 |
| Total monthly (1-bed) | ₦382,000 | ₦170,000 | -₦212,000 |
| Overall cost index | 170 | 74 | — |
| Rent index | 210 | 60 | — |
What a Accountant earns in each
Using Accountant as a mid-level reference role, adjusted for each city's cost index:
| City | Median gross | Monthly living cost | Left over |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abuja | ₦475,000 | ₦382,000 | ₦93,000 |
| Maiduguri | ₦205,000 | ₦170,000 | ₦35,000 |
On these figures a Accountant keeps more each month in Abuja than in Maiduguri — about ₦58,000 more.
This assumes pay tracks local cost, which is the usual pattern but not a rule.
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Which city should you choose?
If your income is fixed — a pension, a remote salary, a business that serves clients online — the cheaper city is straightforwardly better and the saving is permanent. If your pay adjusts to the local market, most of the apparent saving disappears, because employers in Abuja generally pay more for the same role. They rarely pay enough to cover the full rent difference, which is why this comparison matters more than the headline salary figure.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, Abuja or Maiduguri?
Maiduguri is the cheaper city, by about 56% on overall living costs. On rent alone the gap is 71%.
How much cheaper is rent in Maiduguri than Abuja?
A one-bedroom flat runs about ₦360,000 a year in Maiduguri against ₦1,260,000 in Abuja.
What salary do I need in Abuja to match Maiduguri?
Multiply by 2.30. For an accountant, ₦205,000 in Maiduguri is roughly equivalent to ₦475,000 in Abuja.
Is it worth moving from Abuja to Maiduguri?
Only if your income travels with you. If you can keep a Abuja salary while living in Maiduguri, the saving is real and substantial. If your pay adjusts down to local levels, most of the gain disappears.