AdvertisementAd slot reserved — add your AdSense client ID to config.json
Benin City vs Maiduguri: cost of living compared (2026)
Maiduguri is about 18% cheaper to live in than Benin City overall. On rent alone the gap is wider.
90
Benin City index
median = 100
74
Maiduguri index
median = 100
₦203,000
Benin City monthly
1-bed, single adult
₦170,000
Maiduguri monthly
1-bed, single adult
AdvertisementAd slot reserved — add your AdSense client ID to config.json
Side by side
| Item | Benin City | Maiduguri | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent, 1-bedroom (per year) | ₦528,000 | ₦360,000 | -₦168,000 |
| Rent, 2-bedroom (per year) | ₦880,000 | ₦600,000 | -₦280,000 |
| Groceries (monthly) | ₦87,000 | ₦78,000 | -₦9,000 |
| Transport (monthly) | ₦40,000 | ₦35,000 | -₦5,000 |
| Data / internet (monthly) | ₦14,000 | ₦12,000 | -₦2,000 |
| Utilities & levies (monthly) | ₦18,000 | ₦15,000 | -₦3,000 |
| Total monthly (1-bed) | ₦203,000 | ₦170,000 | -₦33,000 |
| Overall cost index | 90 | 74 | — |
| Rent index | 88 | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benin City | ₦250,000 | ₦203,000 | ₦47,000 |
| Maiduguri | ₦205,000 | ₦170,000 | ₦35,000 |
On these figures a Accountant keeps more each month in Benin City than in Maiduguri — about ₦12,000 more.
This assumes pay tracks local cost, which is the usual pattern but not a rule.
AdvertisementAd slot reserved — add your AdSense client ID to config.json
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 Benin City 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, Benin City or Maiduguri?
Maiduguri is the cheaper city, by about 18% on overall living costs. On rent alone the gap is 32%.
How much cheaper is rent in Maiduguri than Benin City?
A one-bedroom flat runs about ₦360,000 a year in Maiduguri against ₦528,000 in Benin City.
What salary do I need in Benin City to match Maiduguri?
Multiply by 1.22. For an accountant, ₦205,000 in Maiduguri is roughly equivalent to ₦250,000 in Benin City.
Is it worth moving from Benin City to Maiduguri?
Only if your income travels with you. If you can keep a Benin City salary while living in Maiduguri, the saving is real and substantial. If your pay adjusts down to local levels, most of the gain disappears.