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Ibadan vs Calabar: cost of living compared (2026)
Calabar is about 11% cheaper to live in than Ibadan overall. On rent alone the gap is wider.
96
Ibadan index
median = 100
85
Calabar index
median = 100
₦208,000
Ibadan monthly
1-bed, single adult
₦191,000
Calabar monthly
1-bed, single adult
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Side by side
| Item | Ibadan | Calabar | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent, 1-bedroom (per year) | ₦540,000 | ₦480,000 | -₦60,000 |
| Rent, 2-bedroom (per year) | ₦900,000 | ₦800,000 | -₦100,000 |
| Groceries (monthly) | ₦90,000 | ₦84,000 | -₦6,000 |
| Transport (monthly) | ₦40,000 | ₦37,000 | -₦3,000 |
| Data / internet (monthly) | ₦14,000 | ₦13,000 | -₦1,000 |
| Utilities & levies (monthly) | ₦19,000 | ₦17,000 | -₦2,000 |
| Total monthly (1-bed) | ₦208,000 | ₦191,000 | -₦17,000 |
| Overall cost index | 96 | 85 | — |
| Rent index | 90 | 80 | — |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ibadan | ₦270,000 | ₦208,000 | ₦62,000 |
| Calabar | ₦240,000 | ₦191,000 | ₦49,000 |
On these figures a Accountant keeps more each month in Ibadan than in Calabar — about ₦13,000 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 Ibadan 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, Ibadan or Calabar?
Calabar is the cheaper city, by about 11% on overall living costs. On rent alone the gap is 11%.
How much cheaper is rent in Calabar than Ibadan?
A one-bedroom flat runs about ₦480,000 a year in Calabar against ₦540,000 in Ibadan.
What salary do I need in Ibadan to match Calabar?
Multiply by 1.13. For an accountant, ₦240,000 in Calabar is roughly equivalent to ₦270,000 in Ibadan.
Is it worth moving from Ibadan to Calabar?
Only if your income travels with you. If you can keep a Ibadan salary while living in Calabar, the saving is real and substantial. If your pay adjusts down to local levels, most of the gain disappears.