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Ilorin vs Calabar: cost of living compared (2026)
Ilorin is about 7% cheaper to live in than Calabar overall. On rent alone the gap is wider.
79
Ilorin index
median = 100
85
Calabar index
median = 100
₦177,000
Ilorin monthly
1-bed, single adult
₦191,000
Calabar monthly
1-bed, single adult
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Side by side
| Item | Ilorin | Calabar | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent, 1-bedroom (per year) | ₦420,000 | ₦480,000 | +₦60,000 |
| Rent, 2-bedroom (per year) | ₦700,000 | ₦800,000 | +₦100,000 |
| Groceries (monthly) | ₦78,000 | ₦84,000 | +₦6,000 |
| Transport (monthly) | ₦35,000 | ₦37,000 | +₦2,000 |
| Data / internet (monthly) | ₦13,000 | ₦13,000 | +₦0 |
| Utilities & levies (monthly) | ₦16,000 | ₦17,000 | +₦1,000 |
| Total monthly (1-bed) | ₦177,000 | ₦191,000 | +₦14,000 |
| Overall cost index | 79 | 85 | — |
| Rent index | 70 | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ilorin | ₦220,000 | ₦177,000 | ₦43,000 |
| Calabar | ₦240,000 | ₦191,000 | ₦49,000 |
On these figures a Accountant keeps more each month in Calabar than in Ilorin — about ₦6,000 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 Calabar 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, Ilorin or Calabar?
Ilorin is the cheaper city, by about 7% on overall living costs. On rent alone the gap is 12%.
How much cheaper is rent in Ilorin than Calabar?
A one-bedroom flat runs about ₦420,000 a year in Ilorin against ₦480,000 in Calabar.
What salary do I need in Calabar to match Ilorin?
Multiply by 1.08. For an accountant, ₦220,000 in Ilorin is roughly equivalent to ₦240,000 in Calabar.
Is it worth moving from Calabar to Ilorin?
Only if your income travels with you. If you can keep a Calabar salary while living in Ilorin, the saving is real and substantial. If your pay adjusts down to local levels, most of the gain disappears.