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Cost of Living in Benin City

Benin City, Edo, Nigeria · Population 1,780,000

▲ +8% vs Nigeria average

Single person, monthly (incl. rent)₦628,574 ($406)
Couple, monthly₦1,126,613 ($727)
Family of four, monthly₦1,467,579 ($947)

Estimated Prices in Benin City

ExpenseEstimated costBasis
Meal at an inexpensive restaurant₦6,361 ($4.10)per meal
Three-course meal for two, mid-range₦25,445 ($16.42)per meal
Cappuccino₦1,908 ($1.23)each
Monthly groceries (single person)₦144,187 ($93.02)per month
Monthly public transport pass₦23,324 ($15.05)per month
Basic utilities for an 85m² apartment₦61,492 ($39.67)per month
Internet (60 Mbps, unlimited)₦17,811 ($11.49)per month
Fitness club membership₦17,811 ($11.49)per month
Cinema ticket₦4,665 ($3.01)each
One-bedroom apartment in city centre₦293,960 ($190)per month
One-bedroom apartment outside centre₦204,494 ($132)per month
Three-bedroom apartment in city centre₦613,482 ($396)per month

Salary & Budget Planning

The estimated average net salary in Benin City is ₦441,750 ($285) per month. To live comfortably — covering the full single-person budget of ₦628,574 ($406) with about 30% left over for savings — you would need a net income of roughly ₦817,146 ($527) per month.

Housing takes the largest share: rent for a one-bedroom outside the centre (₦204,494 ($132)) represents about 33% of the total single-person budget.

Compare Benin City

Benin City vs LagosBenin City vs KanoBenin City vs IbadanBenin City vs AbujaBenin City vs AwkaBenin City vs Port Harcourt

Nearby Cities

Sapele

55 km away · Delta

Igbanke

65 km away · Edo

Ekpoma

75 km away · Edo

Obiaruku

79 km away · Delta

Warri

90 km away · Delta

Ipele

91 km away · Ondo

Owo

98 km away · Ondo

Idanre

103 km away · Ondo

Other Major Cities in Nigeria

Lagos

Lagos · pop. 16,637,000

₦724,579 ($467) / mo

Kano

Kano · pop. 4,348,000

₦628,574 ($406) / mo

Ibadan

Oyo · pop. 3,861,000

₦628,574 ($406) / mo

Abuja

Federal Capital Territory · pop. 3,770,000

₦628,574 ($406) / mo

Awka

Anambra · pop. 2,171,900

₦628,574 ($406) / mo

Port Harcourt

Rivers · pop. 1,865,000

₦628,574 ($406) / mo

Nneyi-Umuleri

Anambra · pop. 1,500,000

₦628,574 ($406) / mo

Onitsha

Anambra · pop. 1,483,000

₦628,574 ($406) / mo

Living in Benin City

Benin City is one of the key cities in Nigeria. The estimated monthly cost of living for a single person is ₦628,574 ($406), placing it above the national average. Housing represents the largest expense, with a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre costing around ₦204,494 ($132) per month.

For families, the estimated budget rises to ₦1,467,579 ($947) per month, driven mainly by larger housing needs and increased food and transport spending. Couples can expect to spend approximately ₦1,126,613 ($727) monthly.

The average estimated net salary in Benin City is ₦441,750 ($285). To maintain a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings, a single person typically needs a net income of at least ₦817,146 ($527) per month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Benin City expensive to live in?
A single person needs an estimated ₦628,574 ($406) per month in Benin City including rent outside the city centre. That is 8% more than the national average for Nigeria.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Benin City?
A net salary of around ₦817,146 ($527) per month lets a single person cover all estimated expenses in Benin City with roughly 30% left for savings. The estimated average net salary in Benin City is ₦441,750 ($285).
How much is rent in Benin City?
A one-bedroom apartment costs an estimated ₦293,960 ($190) per month in the city centre and ₦204,494 ($132) outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about ₦613,482 ($396).
Is Benin City cheaper than Nigeria on average?
No — Benin City is estimated to be about 8% more expensive than the Nigeria average, mainly due to housing demand.
What is the cost of groceries in Benin City?
Monthly groceries for one person are estimated at ₦144,187 ($93) in Benin City. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs about ₦6,361 ($4) and a cappuccino runs around ₦1,908 ($1).
How do transport costs in Benin City compare?
A monthly public transport pass in Benin City is estimated at ₦23,324 ($15). Transport makes up a small share of the total budget compared to housing and food.
Figures for Benin City are estimates based on Nigeria national averages adjusted for city size (population 1,780,000). Last model update: July 2026. How we calculate.