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Kano vs Maiduguri: cost of living compared (2026)
Maiduguri is about 16% cheaper to live in than Kano overall. On rent alone the gap is wider.
88
Kano index
median = 100
74
Maiduguri index
median = 100
₦198,500
Kano monthly
1-bed, single adult
₦170,000
Maiduguri monthly
1-bed, single adult
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Side by side
| Item | Kano | Maiduguri | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent, 1-bedroom (per year) | ₦510,000 | ₦360,000 | -₦150,000 |
| Rent, 2-bedroom (per year) | ₦850,000 | ₦600,000 | -₦250,000 |
| Groceries (monthly) | ₦86,000 | ₦78,000 | -₦8,000 |
| Transport (monthly) | ₦38,000 | ₦35,000 | -₦3,000 |
| Data / internet (monthly) | ₦14,000 | ₦12,000 | -₦2,000 |
| Utilities & levies (monthly) | ₦18,000 | ₦15,000 | -₦3,000 |
| Total monthly (1-bed) | ₦198,500 | ₦170,000 | -₦28,500 |
| Overall cost index | 88 | 74 | — |
| Rent index | 85 | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kano | ₦245,000 | ₦198,500 | ₦46,500 |
| Maiduguri | ₦205,000 | ₦170,000 | ₦35,000 |
On these figures a Accountant keeps more each month in Kano than in Maiduguri — about ₦11,500 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 Kano 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 Maiduguri?
Maiduguri is the cheaper city, by about 16% on overall living costs. On rent alone the gap is 29%.
How much cheaper is rent in Maiduguri than Kano?
A one-bedroom flat runs about ₦360,000 a year in Maiduguri against ₦510,000 in Kano.
What salary do I need in Kano to match Maiduguri?
Multiply by 1.19. For an accountant, ₦205,000 in Maiduguri is roughly equivalent to ₦245,000 in Kano.
Is it worth moving from Kano to Maiduguri?
Only if your income travels with you. If you can keep a Kano salary while living in Maiduguri, the saving is real and substantial. If your pay adjusts down to local levels, most of the gain disappears.