Cost Of Living For a Student in Benin City 2025
Average Monthly Expenditure
Currency: NGN
Average monthly spending for students in Benin City
How much money does a student need in a month to survive in Benin City?
Students in Benin City spend around 160,000 NGN per month on average. Depending on the lifestyle, a student can survive with a monthly budget as low as 23,000 NGN or as high as 1M NGN. Location is a very important factor and has a huge influence on expenditure and budget.
Financial Literacy in
Financial literacy is the knowledge of concepts and principles related to personal finance that allow individuals to make informed decisions regarding their money such as budgeting, saving, investing, borrowing, managing debt, financial risk management, and planning.
Financial Leteracy37%
We asked student guardians and parents in Benin City whether they acquired any adequate personal financial training in their lives. Approximately 63% of the people who participated in the survey said that they are not well informed about the topics of budgeting, saving, etc., and just manage things based on their own experience, while 37% said that they know about the general principles of personal finance from sources other than their own experience.
Difficulty in Budgeting and Financial Planning
We wanted to understand whether students of have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so we asked people one simple question: do you struggle with your personal finances? 62% of the participants reported that they indeed struggle in creating budgets and in organizing their finances while 38% said that they have everything under control.
Struggles with finance62%
Easily manages finances38%
Affordable living in Benin City
Income and cost of living compatibility
We asked students one simple question and recorded their answers.
Is it affordable or economical to live in Benin City?
Around 37% of surveyed students think that living in Benin City is affordable with proper budgeting while 63% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.
A typical and healthy budgeting structure
The 50/30/20 rule
Spending among different people can vary significantly based on factors such as their income, lifestyle,
location, and personal preferences. A commonly used guideline for budgeting is the 50/30/20 rule,
which suggests allocating your income into three main categories in the following percentages.
50% for needs and financial obligations
This category includes essential expenses like housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, and healthcare.
30% for wants and discretionary spending
This category covers discretionary spending on non-essential items, such as dining out, entertainment, travel, and other lifestyle choices.
20% for savings and emergency fund
This is the percentage that must be allocated to savings, emergency funds, and retirement accounts.
About financial planning, money management, and household budgeting
The 50/30/20 rule is used as a general guideline but may not be the best choice for all people. There are in fact many budgeting plans out there like the 70/20/10 and the 60/20/20 rules, all claiming to be the best. More important than all of this is to establish financial discipline by creating a budget tailored to your specific financial goals and situation. It is very important that your financial outflow be less than your income to maintain a healthy cash flow.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Benin City
Dining, food, and beverages costs
Fast food combo meal
| 330 NGN | 670 NGN | 1,100 NGN |
Restaurant meal for one
| 1,100 NGN | 1,600 NGN | 3,200 NGN |
Fine dining meal for one
| 2,100 NGN | 3,200 NGN | 13,000 NGN |
Cappuccino or latte
Grocery and market costs
Milk large bottle
12 eggs
Fresh whole chicken
Pack of beef
| 450 NGN | 670 NGN | 1,300 NGN |
Medium bag of rice
Bag of tomatos
Bag of apples
Commute, travel, and transportation costs
20 minutes taxi ride
Average car full tank
| 1,700 NGN | 2,200 NGN | 4,500 NGN |
Average car 1-day rental
| 1,500 NGN | 2,000 NGN | 3,000 NGN |
Average car price
| 840,000 NGN | 1.7M NGN | 2.2M NGN |
Bus ticket one way
Car Service
| 2,000 NGN | 3,000 NGN | 6,000 NGN |
Utility cost (monthly)
Utility Bill - Student
| 940 NGN | 6,300 NGN | 42,000 NGN |
Internet and cable
| 1,700 NGN | 3,300 NGN | 4,500 NGN |
Mobile phone charges
| 1,300 NGN | 2,200 NGN | 6,700 NGN |
Leisure and activities costs
Movie ticket
| 840 NGN | 1,100 NGN | 1,700 NGN |
One month gym membership
| 2,400 NGN | 3,000 NGN | 6,000 NGN |
Cloths and accessories costs
Pair of jeans or pants
| 1,800 NGN | 2,500 NGN | 3,800 NGN |
Woman dress
| 1,700 NGN | 2,300 NGN | 7,500 NGN |
Woman shoes
| 1,600 NGN | 2,100 NGN | 5,000 NGN |
Men's shoes
| 1,400 NGN | 1,700 NGN | 3,300 NGN |
Men suit
| 1,500 NGN | 1,900 NGN | 10,000 NGN |
Regular t-shirt
| 750 NGN | 1,000 NGN | 3,000 NGN |
Housing costs / monthly rent
Studio apartment
| 25,000 NGN | 38,000 NGN | 100,000 NGN |
1-bedroom apartment
| 38,000 NGN | 60,000 NGN | 150,000 NGN |
2-bedroom apartment
| 50,000 NGN | 75,000 NGN | 200,000 NGN |
Housing costs / Buying
Studio apartment
1-bedroom apartment
2-bedroom apartment
Furniture Costs
King Size Bed
| 33,000 NGN | 42,000 NGN | 56,000 NGN |
Double Bed
| 22,000 NGN | 33,000 NGN | 42,000 NGN |
Single Bed
| 20,000 NGN | 26,000 NGN | 33,000 NGN |
Living Room
| 37,000 NGN | 48,000 NGN | 170,000 NGN |
Dining Table
| 17,000 NGN | 22,000 NGN | 42,000 NGN |
Sofa or Couch
| 22,000 NGN | 30,000 NGN | 67,000 NGN |
Electronics and House Appliance Costs
TV Set
| 22,000 NGN | 33,000 NGN | 67,000 NGN |
Fridge or Freezer
| 20,000 NGN | 30,000 NGN | 42,000 NGN |
Washing Machine
| 26,000 NGN | 37,000 NGN | 67,000 NGN |
Stove or Cooker
| 24,000 NGN | 30,000 NGN | 42,000 NGN |
Mobile Phone
| 28,000 NGN | 33,000 NGN | 48,000 NGN |
Laptop or Computer
| 30,000 NGN | 37,000 NGN | 67,000 NGN |
How do students spend their money in Benin City?
We asked thousands of students about their spending habits and expenditure break down.
Housing and accomodation expenditure for students
Accomodation Cost16%
16% of total expenses on average (11% to 22%)
| LOW | $3.6 5,600 NGN |
| AVERAGE | $24 38,000 NGN |
| HIGH | $160 250,000 NGN |
| Per Month |
Students in Benin City typically spend from 11% to 22% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 16% being the average. The average monthly spend on housing is 38,000 NGN with expenditure ranging from 5,600 NGN to 250,000 NGN. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses.
Electricity, utilities, energy, water, internet, and mobile expenditure for students
Cost of utilities7%
7% of total expenses on average (5% to 11%)
| LOW | $0.61 940 NGN |
| AVERAGE | $4 6,300 NGN |
| HIGH | $27 42,000 NGN |
| Per Month |
Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Benin City ranges from 5% to 11% of total expenses with 7% being the average for most students. The average monthly cost of utilities is 6,300 NGN with 940 NGN and 42,000 NGN being the upper and lower limits for a student of four.
Transport, fuel, and commute expenditure for students
Cost of transport and fuel3%
3% of total expenses on average (3% to 9%)
| LOW | $1.1 1,600 NGN |
| AVERAGE | $7.1 11,000 NGN |
| HIGH | $47 73,000 NGN |
| Per Month |
Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether a student resides near school and work, but roughly speaking a student would expect to spend from 1,600 NGN to 73,000 NGN in a month on commuting with 11,000 NGN being the norm for most students. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 3% of total spending on average but can go as low as 3% or as high as 9%.
Food, groceries, and basic shopping expenditure for students
Food and Groceries Cost24%
24% of total expenses on average (18% to 28%)
| LOW | $3 4,700 NGN |
| AVERAGE | $20 31,000 NGN |
| HIGH | $130 210,000 NGN |
| Per Month |
The average outlay on groceries and basic houshold items for a typical student in a month in Benin City is 31,000 NGN. The cost of groceries can range between 4,700 NGN to 210,000 NGN. Students spend on average about 24% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 18% and 28% respectively.
Healthcare and medical services expenditure for students
Cost of healthcare10%
10% of total expenses on average (7% to 13%)
| LOW | $0.91 1,400 NGN |
| AVERAGE | $6.1 9,400 NGN |
| HIGH | $40 63,000 NGN |
| Per Month |
Students in Benin City allocate 7% to 13% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending on medical services and clinic visits is around 10%. The range of medical expenses range from 1,400 NGN to 63,000 NGN with 9,400 NGN being the norm for most students.
Leisure and shopping expenditure for students
Cost of leisure and shopping2%
2% of total expenses on average (1% to 6%)
| LOW | $0.76 1,200 NGN |
| AVERAGE | $5.1 7,800 NGN |
| HIGH | $34 52,000 NGN |
| Per Month |
This category mostly contains discretionary or non-essential expenses but also some non-discretionary spending like furniture for example. The monthly expenses range from 1,200 NGN to 52,000 NGN with 7,800 NGN being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 1% to 6% of total expenses with an average of 2% for most students.
Education and schooling expenditure for students
Cost of education and schooling18%
18% of total expenses on average (11% to 23%)
| LOW | $2.9 4,500 NGN |
| AVERAGE | $19 30,000 NGN |
| HIGH | $130 200,000 NGN |
| Per Month |
Spending on education can vary drastically between different students. On average, education constitutes 18% of the monthly expenditure of students with 11% and 23% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 30,000 NGN per month with 4,500 NGN being the minimum spent amount and 200,000 NGN being the maximum.
Other Expenses20%
20% of total expenses on average (14% to 26%)
| LOW | $2.3 3,500 NGN |
| AVERAGE | $15 24,000 NGN |
| HIGH | $100 160,000 NGN |
| Per Month |
Emergency Funds For Students
An emergency fund is a financial safety net comprised of easily accessible savings set aside to cover unexpected expenses or financial emergencies, typically amounting to three to six months' worth of living expenses. We asked students whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.
Yes35%
No66%
Based on the survey, 66% of the students living in Benin City said that they don't have an emergency fund while 35% said that they do.
Low-cost alternatives in Benin City
People are always looking for ways to cut down expenses and reduce expenditures. The hallmark of any affordable place is the availability of discount stores, bargain deals, smart or secondhand shopping, refurbished items, and couponing. We asked students how easily cost-cutting is and the answers were distributed as follows:
Plenty of low-cost options46%
Few low-cost options54%
Based on the survey, 46% of the students living in Benin City have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 54% think that thriftness is difficult due to scarcity in discount markets and secondhand outlets.
Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Benin City
Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Rent Cost in Benin City
Monthly Rent Prices
Studio apartment monthly rent cost
| 25,000 NGN | 38,000 NGN | 100,000 NGN |
1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 38,000 NGN | 60,000 NGN | 150,000 NGN |
2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 50,000 NGN | 75,000 NGN | 200,000 NGN |
3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 60,000 NGN | 100,000 NGN | 270,000 NGN |
Furnished apartment monthly rent cost
| 120,000 NGN | 300,000 NGN | 600,000 NGN |
Townhouse monthly rent cost
| 100,000 NGN | 150,000 NGN | 430,000 NGN |
House monthly rent cost
| 120,000 NGN | 300,000 NGN | 600,000 NGN |
Villa monthly rent cost
| 150,000 NGN | 380,000 NGN | 600,000 NGN |
The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Benin City ranges between 25,000 NGN and 100,000 NGN, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 38,000 NGN to 150,000 NGN. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 50,000 NGN and 200,000 NGN per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 60,000 NGN to 270,000 NGN. The average rent of a townhouse in Benin City is around 150,000 NGN while house rental costs can be as high as 300,000 NGN per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 150,000 NGN to 600,000 NGN per month.
Apartment and house prices in Benin City
Cost of buying a property
Studio apartment price
1-bedroom apartment price
2-bedroom apartment price
3-bedroom apartment price
Townhouse price
| 43M NGN | 100M NGN | 380M NGN |
House price
| 50M NGN | 300M NGN | 430M NGN |
| $32,000 | $190,000 | $280,000 |
Villa price
| 60M NGN | 330M NGN | 500M NGN |
| $39,000 | $220,000 | $320,000 |
The average price of a studio apartment in Benin City can range from 5M NGN to 15M NGN depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 6M NGN to 38M NGN. A villa can cost you 330M NGN on average with prices ranging from 60M NGN to 500M NGN.
If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Benin City will probably constitute your biggest expenditure, yet it's an area where you wield considerable influence. This is due to the substantial variance in housing prices across communities. Keep in mind the location of your workplace and the accessibility of essential amenities to prevent negating the savings from lower rental rates with increased transportation expenses.
House / apartment prices to income ratio
Property price to income ratio
( average property price / average monthly income ) x 100
| 26 | x70 monthly income | 166 |
Property prices in Benin City can be x70 to x166 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x70 multiples of the average monthly salary in Benin City.
Rent to income ratio
Rent to income ratio
( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100
The average rent-to-income ratio in Benin City is around 25%. This means that people pay 25% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 16% to 34% depending on the salary, location, and type of property.
The housing-to-income ratio is a very important metric to evaluate and measure how affordable living is in a particular area, city, or country since housing comprises the biggest chunk of expenditure. A higher housing to income ratio means that the place is relatively expensive. The figure by itself does tell much. It only starts to make sense when comparing the housing to income ratio across different locations.
Housing affordability index
The housing affordability index measures how affordable accommodation is in a particular place. This can measured in multiple ways, the most common being housing expenditure to total expenditure ratio and the rent to income ratio. The housing expenditure ratio is a figure reported by individuals on the percentage they allocate for housing. Rent to income ratio is calculated by dividing the average monthly rent by the average income. Because these values are both percentages, we can find their average and get the best of the two worlds.
Housing Affordability Index
23% Property Taxes
Real estate owners pay property taxes to local tax authorities, which are determined by the assessed value of their property. Typically, these taxes are paid once a year. Property tax funds contribute to community development, financing infrastructure improvements, public services, and local education initiatives.
Home Maintenance Costs
Home maintenance costs encompass various expenses associated with the upkeep and repair of a residence. These expenditures include regular tasks such as lawn care, pest control, and HVAC system servicing, as well as occasional repairs and renovations like fixing leaks, painting, or replacing appliances.
| 470 NGN | 6,100 NGN | 61,000 NGN |
Urban vs. rural living costs
Urban living typically entails higher housing and transportation costs due to demand and limited space, while rural areas generally offer lower housing expenses but may have higher prices for goods and services. The differnce in rental rates between urban areas and rural areas can be as high as 300% in some cases.
Monthly costs and expenses of energy and basic utilities in Benin City
Utilities expenditure can vary slightly between different areas and locations.
Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Benin City
Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Student
| 940 NGN | 6,300 NGN | 42,000 NGN |
Internet and cable cost
| 1,700 NGN | 3,300 NGN | 4,500 NGN |
Mobile phone bill and charges
| 1,300 NGN | 2,200 NGN | 6,700 NGN |
Because most utility bills club electricity, water, and gas costs in one bill, we can't provide a breakup for each type of utility and will display electricity, gas, and water as single cost.
The average monthly energy and water consumption of students is around 6,300 NGN. The cost of internet and WiFi ranges from 1,700 NGN to 4,500 NGN with 3,300 NGN being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 2,200 NGN but can range between 1,300 NGN and 6,700 NGN depending on consumption. Mobile charges include both calling minutes as well as data packages.
Energy / Utility expense to income ratio
( monthly utility expenses / monthly income ) x 100
The average utility-to-income ratio in Benin City is around 6.2%. This means that people pay 6.2% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 3.5% to 9.7% depending on salary and location.
Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Benin City
Grocery / Food expenditure and prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Benin City
Dining out, food, and beverages costs. Price variations for common food items.
Fast food combo meal price
| 330 NGN | 670 NGN | 1,100 NGN |
The average price of a regular combo meal at a fast food outlet or chain like McDonald's, Pizzahut, or KFC in Benin City is approximatly 670 NGN with meal cost ranging from 330 NGN to 1,100 NGN. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.
Restaurant meal for one price
| 1,100 NGN | 1,600 NGN | 3,200 NGN |
If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 1,100 NGN and 3,200 NGN with 1,600 NGN being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Benin City.
Fine dining meal for one price
| 2,100 NGN | 3,200 NGN | 13,000 NGN |
The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 2,100 NGN to 13,000 NGN with the average cost being 3,200 NGN for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Benin City.
Beverage prices, cappuccino, latte etc..
The average price of a regular beverage like cappuccino or latte at Starbucks, Costa, or similar coffee shops and cafes in Benin City is around 450 NGN. Price ranges between 280 NGN and 670 NGN depending on the type of beverage, the size, and optional add-ons.
Grocery and market costs
Large bottle of milk price
The average price of a large bottle of milk in Benin City is 270 NGN. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 330 NGN and the minimum being 220 NGN depending on the brand of milk and other properties.
12 eggs price
A dozen eggs costs around 220 NGN on average with 170 NGN and 330 NGN being the lower and upper limits respectively.
Fresh whole chicken price
The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Benin City is between 380 NGN and 700 NGN depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 490 NGN.
Pack of beef price
| 450 NGN | 670 NGN | 1,300 NGN |
The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 670 NGN. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.
Medium bag of rice price
A bag of rice in Benin City costs around 250 NGN on average with prices rangeing between 180 NGN and 350 NGN depending on the brand and quality.
Bag of tomatos price
A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 67 NGN to 170 NGN. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Bag of apples price
A bag of apples costs 160 NGN on average. A bag of apples denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Expenditure on food and grocery for students
Students' spending on grocery ranges from 4,700 NGN to 210,000 NGN with the location, income, and size of the student being the most determinite factors.
