Nigeria, the so-called giant of Africa, is a land of many colors, ethnic groups you will lose count of, religions, different mother tongues, and lifestyles. But living in some parts of the country is not eating rice and beans at all. With the rising cost of living, inflation here and there, and sometimes unnecessary show of class, some states turn themselves into what we now come to know as survival of the richest.
From the busy streets of Lagos to the chilled and calmness of Jos, some places just debit money like some kind of magic, but it is not; they call it high cost of living, show of class, and recently, more fitting, it is all about CAPACITY in full display.
This article, runs through the 10 most expensive states to live in Nigeria, based on everyday lifestyle, house rents, transport costs, cost of food items, and of course, also cost of social living.
10. Enugu State
Igbo land, Enugu is a State that falls in the South Eastern part of the country and at No. 10 in this list. It’s called the “Coal City State.” Most people there are Igbo and Christian, especially Catholic and Anglican.
Life is gentle in Enugu to begin with, but make no mistake, the cost of living is biting the citizens living there. The housing in GRA and Independence Layout is a very hot cake. Food is still somehow manageable or maybe by some miracle, but social life, especially for youth, is very expensive. The people here are calm, but it is quite clear they love enjoyment; this is Enugu after all. Igbo culture is strong, and church activities are everywhere. Fashion and weddings are loud sometimes; to put it simply, Enugu carries class, but they never shout like Lagos. Put it that way.
9. Rivers State
Rivers State is located in the South-South part of Nigeria. It is known as the “Treasure Base of the Nation” because it has a lot of oil. The main groups of people living there are the Ijaw, Ikwerre, and Ogoni. Most people in the state are Christians. Because of the oil wealth, people in Rivers State often have a busy and energetic lifestyle, where they work hard and also enjoy showing off their success.
Rivers State, especially Port Harcourt, its capital, is not a child’s play. From accommodation to food and even transport, things are too costly. This is a place, after all, that gets heavy influence from oil companies. That rings loud on the affected prices. Even a local pepper soup bar runs like a night club. This is the kind of stuff one should expect finding themselves in Port Harcourt and other major cities in Rivers. People in Rivers and especially Port Harcourt mind flexing at real cost, and Sunday outings are not a joke. Life here is a blend of serious hustle and what they call excessive spending on everyday life.
8. Plateau State
Plateau State, found in the North Central part of Nigeria, is known as the “Home of Peace and Tourism.” It has different groups of people like the Berom, Afizere, and Anaguta. Both Christians and Muslims live there, in almost equal numbers. The way of life in Plateau State is generally calm and peaceful, with a strong focus on art and a growing touch of modern living.
You would think living in Jos is cheap, maybe because it belongs to the middle belt; that is not the case. At the time of writing, the cost of living in some parts is very high due to tourism and cool weather attraction. People from other states will relocate to Jos for the calm lifestyle and tourist attraction, even though gone are the days as a result of deadly religious crisis in recent years, but that is a topic for another day. The middle-class lifestyle blossoms, especially among artists and professionals. Housing cost is going up on a daily basis, especially in places like Rayfield and Tudun Wada. Restaurants and lifestyle events are regular and a bit expensive. Jos, in summary, is a place that looks cheap from outside, but your pocket will readily know how deep you are spending.
7. Ogun State
Ogun State is found in the South West part of Nigeria and is known as the “Gateway State” because it’s a key entry point to other states. The main ethnic group there is Yoruba, and people mostly practice Christianity or Islam. Life in Ogun State is a mix, offering a quiet, suburban feel in some areas while also having the lively, modern tastes of a city.
The Gateway State featuring at No. 7, home to former military and political president Olusegun Obasanjo. Many people live in Ogun and work in Lagos, a statement and fact that sounds normal in everyday life. Ogun State has its own burdens of living cost. Abeokuta houses are not cheap anymore, and it is the capital of the state in question. Foodstuff prices are rising at an alarming rate, and the scary part is people in Ogun State live like they prepare for Lagos life. Civil servants are plenty, and students, especially from Covenant University and others, are pushing prices up in certain areas as the standards of living they set for themselves.
6. Edo State
Edo State is located in the South-South part of Nigeria and is proudly called the “Heartbeat of the Nation.” The main ethnic group there is the Bini people. While Christianity is the most common religion, traditional beliefs are also still very strong. People in Edo State are often seen as stylish, proud of their heritage, and quite competitive.
Benin City carries pride, and that shows clearly in their lifestyle. They love fashion, they love showing off, and all for their lifestyle, that speaks volume. Rents increased over the years at an abnormal rate, especially around GRA and Sapele Road. Social activities in Benin are very active; weddings are performed very loudly, and clothes, costumes are typically flashy like a Christmas carnival. People from Edo don’t like to look dull, and they also like to maintain standards. Even the cost of local foods is very high; it’s an area or a place that combines tradition and competition for class, a serious stuff meets another equal one.
5. Delta State
Delta State is located in the South-South part of Nigeria and is known by its motto, “The Big Heart.” Major groups living there are the Urhobo, Itsekiri, and Ijaw people. Most residents are Christians, but some also follow traditional local beliefs. The way of life in Delta State is often lively, with people enjoying themselves loudly and openly displaying their wealth.
Delta is a land of oil and many tribes. For example, Warri and Asaba will give a visitor two different experiences from the two major cities in the state. Asaba is gradually turning into a celebrity base. Nollywood personnel especially, successfully made everything expensive. Apartments, clubbing, boutiques, food, and wedding halls are running into big money. People in Delta State like to show that everything is alright as per the living cost, but that is not exactly the case. Even secondary schools nowadays in Asaba charge fees higher than some private universities, a stuff of legends, that is.
4. Federal Capital Territory (Abuja)
The Federal Capital Territory, or Abuja, is located in the North Central part of Nigeria and is known as the “Centre of Unity.” It’s a place where many different ethnic groups and religions live together, with Christianity and Islam being the most common. The lifestyle in Abuja is often linked to the political class, with many people enjoying a comfortable, “soft life” and a tendency for spending that might not always be openly displayed.
Abuja has to be here among the most expensive. Working in the country’s capital is one thing; living in the capital is another thing entirely, and make no mistake, these are two different things not synonymous with each other. As per words, working and living in Abuja, the capital of Nigeria, are antonyms of each other, simple. Areas like Wuse, Maitama, and especially Asokoro, are a no-go area if your bank account is light and not heavy. House rent in the aforementioned areas is flying like a helicopter. The cost of food in supermarkets will make you check again, maybe simply because the ridiculous prices tagged on such items will render you speechless, and that is why you will be compelled to check again for the second time even if you are just buying, let’s say, garri. Many people living in and around the capital city, the elites aside, are mostly low-key rich, and flexing keeps happening in quiet expensive places. It’s a place where you first need to go through the bills before taking any action.
3. Anambra State
Anambra State, found in Nigeria’s South East region, is known as the “Light of the Nation.” The main people living there are the Igbo. Most residents are Christian, with a particularly strong presence of the Catholic faith.
Anambra people are business-oriented to begin with, and it reflects in their lifestyle heavily. Awka and Onitsha are two of the hottest cakes as far as high cost of living is concerned; staying on point, this is what solely brought us here. Wedding and burial ceremonies make people spend money like it’s the end of the world in such a place, and this is not exaggerating things. Just take a trip to Onitsha or somewhere in Anambra for a week or two; like they said, seeing is believing. Young boys, youths with plenty money, are everywhere in Anambra, thanks to real hustle and business, and this is the pressure that raised the cost of living in towns and major cities. People there are active and competitive; transport and feeding are no longer friendly or as easy as they used to be. The people here are just trying to outdo one another.
2. Bayelsa State
Bayelsa State, located in the South-South part of Nigeria, is known as the “Glory of all Lands.” The main group of people living there are the Ijaw, and most residents are Christians. The way of life in Bayelsa State is largely influenced by oil money, leading to a noticeable tendency for flashy displays of wealth.
Bayelsa, especially Yenagoa, its biggest, largest, and capital city, has one a very special kind of lifestyle, one of the strong reasons why Bayelsa lands at only No. 2 slot in such a hot list. Bayelsa is a small state with big price tags. The big price tags are on every single element of living: foodstuff, transport, accommodation, and of course, health care. So don’t deceive your sixth sense. If Bayelsa comes knocking at your doorsteps, be it a transfer as a federal civil servant, oil company workers like Shell, going on a business trip, or even a simple vacation, my friend, be prepared. It is a small state but mighty for bills.
1. Lagos State
Lagos State is in the South West of Nigeria. Its motto is “Center of Excellence.” Although Yoruba make up the majority of the population, a wide variety of people also reside there. Lagos is home to both Muslims and Christians. Lagos is a bustling, fast-paced city where people work hard, move quickly, enjoy life, and then repeat the process.
Lagos, arguably the most famous city in the whole country, bear with me and read their motto again: it is the Centre of Excellence and former capital seat of the country. Lagos is not for the faint-hearted. Lagos or Abuja topping this list is undisputed and also a highly anticipated mind guess by many readers even before the countdown kicked started with Enugu at No. 10. From Banana Island to Lekki to even remote areas like Ikorodu, the cost of living is very high, rent swallows salaries, and transport stress alone can displace your peace of mind. People rush to Lagos because of many opportunities. Nightlife is mad in Lagos, restaurant bills read like abroad, and children’s school fees are high. It is a land of dreams and survival. The rich are enjoying, the poor ones have to endure, and the middle class struggles silently.
