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Kano vs Benin City: cost of living compared (2026)
Kano is about 2% cheaper to live in than Benin City overall. On rent alone the gap is wider.
88
Kano index
median = 100
90
Benin City index
median = 100
₦198,500
Kano monthly
1-bed, single adult
₦203,000
Benin City monthly
1-bed, single adult
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Side by side
| Item | Kano | Benin City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent, 1-bedroom (per year) | ₦510,000 | ₦528,000 | +₦18,000 |
| Rent, 2-bedroom (per year) | ₦850,000 | ₦880,000 | +₦30,000 |
| Groceries (monthly) | ₦86,000 | ₦87,000 | +₦1,000 |
| Transport (monthly) | ₦38,000 | ₦40,000 | +₦2,000 |
| Data / internet (monthly) | ₦14,000 | ₦14,000 | +₦0 |
| Utilities & levies (monthly) | ₦18,000 | ₦18,000 | +₦0 |
| Total monthly (1-bed) | ₦198,500 | ₦203,000 | +₦4,500 |
| Overall cost index | 88 | 90 | — |
| Rent index | 85 | 88 | — |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kano | ₦245,000 | ₦198,500 | ₦46,500 |
| Benin City | ₦250,000 | ₦203,000 | ₦47,000 |
On these figures a Accountant keeps more each month in Benin City than in Kano — about ₦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 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, Kano or Benin City?
Kano is the cheaper city, by about 2% on overall living costs. On rent alone the gap is 3%.
How much cheaper is rent in Kano than Benin City?
A one-bedroom flat runs about ₦510,000 a year in Kano against ₦528,000 in Benin City.
What salary do I need in Benin City to match Kano?
Multiply by 1.02. For an accountant, ₦245,000 in Kano is roughly equivalent to ₦250,000 in Benin City.
Is it worth moving from Benin City to Kano?
Only if your income travels with you. If you can keep a Benin City salary while living in Kano, the saving is real and substantial. If your pay adjusts down to local levels, most of the gain disappears.