Nigeria’s Most Expensive States: Where Income Faces Toughest Challenge

Nigerians face just how tough it is to stay afloat in certain states. According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the national inflation rate may have slightly eased to 23.7% in April 2025, but this national average barely tells the full story. Enugu State, for example, now ranks as the most expensive place to live in Nigeria, recording a steep 36.0% annual inflation rate. 

Meanwhile, Benue State stands out for an entirely different reason an eye-watering 51.8% food inflation rate, signaling a severe affordability crisis that’s straining household budgets and access to basic nutrition.

As Nigerians grapple with rising prices, the pressure extends well beyond food. Niger State has seen sharp monthly spikes in all-items inflation, pointing to recent economic shocks from transportation costs to fuel prices and cross-border trade disruptions. The reality on the ground is that while national figures suggest progress, the lived experience varies widely depending on where you call home.