Top 10 Most Affordable States to Live in Nigeria, January 2026 Ranking
New data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) shows significant regional differences in the cost of living across Nigeria’s states, even as headline inflation eased slightly to about 15.10 per cent in January 2026. Residents in some states continue to benefit from more moderate price pressures on essential goods and services — making them comparatively more affordable places to reside. Analysts and consumers often use state-level inflation rates as a proxy for overall living cost trends.
The following states emerged as the 10 most affordable places to live in Nigeria in January 2026, based on lower headline inflation rates and relative stability in prices:
Ebonyi 8.72 % (Food inflation: 1.7 %)
Ranked Nigeria’s most affordable state, Ebonyi posted the lowest year-on-year headline inflation rate in January 2026, underpinned by notably low food price growth.
Katsina 8.94 % (Food inflation: 5.8 %)
Katsina’s cost of living remained subdued compared with national averages, driven in part by controlled growth in essential prices.
Imo 10.61 % (Food inflation: 3.7 %)
Imo State also featured among the most budget-friendly locations, with moderate overall and food inflation rates.
Enugu 11.04 % (Food inflation: 5.8 %)
Households in Enugu experienced relatively stable price dynamics, contributing to its affordability ranking.
Kaduna 11.41 % (Food inflation: 5.1 %)
Kaduna’s lower overall inflation rate placed it solidly within the top-five most affordable states.
Abia 11.67 % (Food inflation: 3.2 %)
Abia’s affordability is supported by lower food price pressures, a significant element of household expenditure.
Ogun 12.86 % (Food inflation: 7.9 %)
Ogun State’s inflation profile suggests relatively manageable living costs compared to many other parts of the federation.
Ondo 13.20 % (Food inflation: 5.5 %)
Ondo remained a more cost-effective option for residents in southwestern Nigeria.
Delta 13.58 % (Food inflation: 6.6 %)
Delta’s moderate inflation rates contributed to its standing among the more affordable states.
Gombe 13.74 % (Food inflation: 8.8 %)
Rounding out the list is Gombe, where headline inflation stayed below the national average despite elevated food price growth.
What the Rankings Mean for Residents
The ranking reflects headline inflation the year-on-year increase in general price levels which strongly influences residents’ effective purchasing power and household budgets. States with lower inflation rates tend to face milder cost pressures on key expenses such as food, transportation and utilities, making them relatively more budget-friendly for families and individuals.
For policymakers and investors, these subnational affordability dynamics highlight where consumer price stability is comparatively stronger information that can influence decisions ranging from labour mobility to business location planning.
While Nigeria continues to grapple with broader inflationary trends, the January 2026 cost-of-living data reveals notable differences across states. Ebonyi, Katsina and Imo stand out as the most affordable states to live in based on headline inflation rates, offering some relief from rising prices for residents in early 2026. Understanding these relative affordability patterns can help households, businesses and policymakers make more informed economic and locational choices.
