NaijaCalc
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Ibadan vs Sokoto: cost of living compared (2026)

Sokoto is about 21% cheaper to live in than Ibadan overall. On rent alone the gap is wider.

96 Ibadan index median = 100
76 Sokoto index median = 100
₦208,000 Ibadan monthly 1-bed, single adult
₦169,500 Sokoto monthly 1-bed, single adult
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Side by side

ItemIbadanSokotoDifference
Rent, 1-bedroom (per year)₦540,000₦390,000 -₦150,000
Rent, 2-bedroom (per year)₦900,000₦650,000 -₦250,000
Groceries (monthly)₦90,000₦76,000 -₦14,000
Transport (monthly)₦40,000₦34,000 -₦6,000
Data / internet (monthly)₦14,000₦12,000 -₦2,000
Utilities & levies (monthly)₦19,000₦15,000 -₦4,000
Total monthly (1-bed)₦208,000₦169,500 -₦38,500
Overall cost index9676
Rent index9065

What a Accountant earns in each

Using Accountant as a mid-level reference role, adjusted for each city's cost index:

CityMedian grossMonthly living costLeft over
Ibadan₦270,000₦208,000₦62,000
Sokoto₦215,000₦169,500₦45,500
On these figures a Accountant keeps more each month in Ibadan than in Sokoto — about ₦16,500 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 Sokoto?
Sokoto is the cheaper city, by about 21% on overall living costs. On rent alone the gap is 28%.
How much cheaper is rent in Sokoto than Ibadan?
A one-bedroom flat runs about ₦390,000 a year in Sokoto against ₦540,000 in Ibadan.
What salary do I need in Ibadan to match Sokoto?
Multiply by 1.26. For an accountant, ₦215,000 in Sokoto is roughly equivalent to ₦270,000 in Ibadan.
Is it worth moving from Ibadan to Sokoto?
Only if your income travels with you. If you can keep a Ibadan salary while living in Sokoto, the saving is real and substantial. If your pay adjusts down to local levels, most of the gain disappears.

Ibadan cost of living · Sokoto cost of living