In this our Nigeria that the moment you step out of your house 5,000 naira has gone, the worst thing you can do is live in an expensive city.
And with inflation breathing down our necks at every moment and sardines, tomatoes, and other important items becoming pricier by the day, the best thing you can do for yourself is move to a city that’s cheap, safe, and comfortable.
In this post, I’ll be listing 12 beautiful cities where the price of meat won’t make you sweat profusely and feel like crying – I almost broke down in Wuse market one day – and you can stretch your money very well.
Here are 12 affordable cities to live in Nigeria that are safe & comfortable:
1. Ilorin
In case you’ve forgotten, Ilorin is the capital of Kwara State and it’s literally a beehive of industrial activities.
There’s that and then the amazing tourist attractions, beautiful facilities, and awe-inspiring landscapes – so much to do!
When it comes to living expenses, Ilorin is a clear winner as the cost of accommodation in this Nigerian city is very affordable.
And, despite the recent fuel hike because of the removal of subsidy, transportation is still relatively cheaper.
If you’re looking for a good place to live in Nigeria while on a budget and still enjoy a comfortable lifestyle, Ilorin is the perfect place to stay.
2. Ikot Ekpene
Ikot Ekpene is another amazingly affordable city in Nigeria where you can enjoy a low-stress lifestyle while focusing on your personal growth and well-being.
Once you slide into this city, you won’t have to worry about traffic, or blah, because transportation is so cheap (probably because it’s situated in an oil-producing state), and your feeding expenses won’t empty your pockets, too.
This amazing city also has reliable public services (like waste management and other utilities), and I really can’t over-emphasize how important it is to stay in a city that doesn’t constantly smell like mess and soot.
3. Onitsha
This is one of those cities that doesn’t even need mentioning – Are you in Nigeria if you haven’t seen, passed through, visited, lived in, or heard about Onitsha?
Housing and feeding are also amazing here, and if you can overlook the crowdedness, you’ll love it.
I’ll be honest, while this city is one of the most affordable places to base (whether for food, accommodation, and other necessities) in Nigeria, the traffic is nothing to write home about.
But, but, but I promise the gridlock is not as bad as the ones in Lagos.
4. Ibadan
This city is probably one of the most populated cities in Nigeria, but it’s still very affordable to live in.
Whenever I think about Ibadan, one thing that always comes to mind is the fantastic internet reception, and if this is something you’ve struggled with before, you’ll be glad to know that Mtn and her sisters don’t usually fail Ibadanites.
Aside from this, you can easily access affordable healthcare services (whether hospitals or clinics), and the low cost of transportation means you can move affordably within and outside the state.
5. Zaria
Most northern states are cheap, but I highlighted Zaria in particular because I’ve been there personally, and it really does deserve a special mention in this post.
If you’ve been looking for a state that’s affordable, clean, and comfortable to make your home in Nigeria, then you might like Zaria.
The nightlife is amazing, the people are kind, and everything is a feast to the senses.
Food is cheap (even in these difficult times), and transportation won’t be a hassle.
6. Owerri
This article would definitely be incomplete without mentioning Owerri, the capital of Imo state.
If you like filling your eyes and ears, you’re going to enjoy Owerri, because, as far as I know, this Nigerian city never sleeps.
With fantastic roads, cheap housing, affordable food, low crime rates, and music blasting from every corner, you’ll definitely maintain a high standard of living at a fraction of the cost in this affordable Nigerian city.
7. Aba
While Aba is easily one of the most budget-friendly cities in Nigeria.
Aba is known to attract people from other parts of Nigeria and neighboring countries for its abundant quality affordable items; especially the clothing markets in Aba, where you can get all kind of fabrics and okrika clothes.
Aba used to be notoriously dirty, doesn’t have the best power supply, and wasn’t the safest place to live in. But the current governor Alex Otti turned things around, Aba is now one of the safest and cleanest cities in Nigeria, and I highly recommend it.
This eastern state is a beautiful place to live in, and if you’re a freelancer or you sell things, you can save on transportation and feeding costs and even put a substantial amount towards your savings from time to time.
During my stay in Aba, what I loved the most was the deep sense of community and how it felt like every neighbor was an aunt/uncle – it was really beautiful.
That’s to say, this amazing city gave me a warm community atmosphere that absolutely soothed my spirit.
8. Ile Ife
This ancient town is also a fantastic option if you want to live in a low-cost area with a favorable economic climate and lots of job opportunities.
Food, transportation, and housing are all cheap and affordable, and you’ll really enjoy Ile Ife because it’s one of the safest cities to live in in Nigeria.
9. Ikom
While this Nigerian city is tiny compared to the others on this list, it shouldn’t be underestimated.
The natives in this town are professional farmers and it’s like a mini commercial hub, so, as expected, the environs reap the benefits because fresh food is unbelievably cheap.
Aside from this, the roads are great, the air is so pure, there are lots of recreational centers, and electricity isn’t the worst.
I’ll happy to recommend Ikom to anyone who’s looking for the best place to start life in Nigeria.
10. Delta
Guys, according to people, Delta is one of those places where there’s one actor or celebrity around every corner.
While I haven’t had this luck (yet), I can tell you that I’ll forever categorize Delta as one of the most pocket-friendly and clean cities to live in Nigeria – and it doesn’t hurt that the electricity is fairly constant.
Perhaps it’s because this is an oil-producing state, you can literally feel the richness in the streets: good roads, lots of people, and excitement everywhere.
So, if you aren’t put off by crowds and you don’t mind a little hold-up here and there, you can actually make a life in Delta.
It boasts a range of affordable leisure and entertainment options, and the sheer number of restaurants had me a little overwhelmed on my first visit.
11. Kano
Kano is another splendid Nigerian city that’s both affordable and comfortable for anyone who’s looking to settle down right now.
It’s nested deep, deep in the North and is densely populated (almost as much as Lagos), but it’s really a beautiful place with cheap food, affordable accommodation, and accessible transportation.
12. Makurdi
This is another city in Northern Nigeria that’s affordable (food, transportation, and whatnot), safe, and comfortable to live in.
It’s a great place if you want fantastic tourist attractions, you love being part of a community, and you like living a slow and fulfilled life. If this sounds like you, then you’ll really enjoy Makurdi.
And, that’s a wrap!
What do you think? Are there some other Nigerian cities you’ve lived in that you felt were cheap, safe, and comfortable? I’ll love to hear them – let me know in the comments below!
If you want some more tips about saving money while living comfortably, you can check out my post on the best money-saving tips for daily expenses in Nigeria.
I also wrote about the best ways you can find affordable housing – this one is particularly important.
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