Living in Lagos
What it really costs to live in Lagos, what you can earn, the visas that get you in, and the taxes you'll pay — for Nigeria, updated 2026. Lagos is the most expensive of the 3 Nigeria cities we track, so it can be a smarter base than the capital if budget matters. Lagos lies in Western Africa. Nigeria's capital is Abuja. The main language is English. The currency is the naira. Nigeria borders Benin, Cameroon, Chad, Niger.
Cost of Living in Lagos
Full Monthly Breakdown for Lagos
How Lagos Compares to Other Nigeria Cities
Lagos is not the only option in Nigeria. Here is how its single-person monthly cost (€1 100) stacks up against the other cities we track — Port Harcourt is the cheapest, Lagos the priciest.
| City | Single / month | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| Port Harcourt | €820/mo | -25% vs Lagos |
| Abuja (capital) | €950/mo | -14% vs Lagos |
What You Can Earn in Nigeria
Typical gross annual salaries in Nigeria by sector (entry · median · senior). Lagos pay usually sits around the national median.
| Sector | Entry | Median | Senior |
|---|---|---|---|
| it | €3 000 | €6 000 | €12 000 |
| retail | €2 500 | €4 000 | €5 500 |
| finance | €10 000 | €14 000 | €19 500 |
| education | €4 000 | €6 000 | €8 500 |
| healthcare | €2 000 | €4 000 | €8 000 |
| engineering | €8 500 | €12 000 | €17 000 |
| hospitality | €3 000 | €4 000 | €6 000 |
| construction | €5 000 | €7 500 | €10 500 |
Living in Lagos: Safety, Health & Climate
Lagos shares Nigeria's wider quality-of-life profile. Lagos has a tropical climate. Here is what daily life looks like on the things that matter most when you relocate.
Visa Routes to Nigeria
Affording Lagos is only half the question — you also need a visa that lets you stay in Nigeria. The main routes:
- A job offer is normally required for the main work route.
- Permanent residence after about 5 years.
- Citizenship after ~15 years — dual nationality allowed.
- Investment route from about €150 000 (USD).
Taxes in Nigeria
Top marginal rate 24%, VAT 7.5%.
Settling into Lagos
- Foreigners can open a local bank account in Nigeria.
- Budget around €950 for first-month setup in Lagos.
- Regulated professions needing credential recognition: Medicine, Law, Engineering, Accounting.
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How much does it cost to live in Lagos?
A single person in central Lagos should budget about €1 100/month, roughly €935 outside the centre. A family of four needs around €2 750/month.
Can I get a visa to live in Nigeria?
Yes — the main route usually needs a job offer, with permanent residence reachable in about 5 years. See the full Nigeria visa comparison for the route that fits you.
Sources: salaries, taxes, safety, healthcare and visa data from World Bank, OECD, the Global Peace Index and official government portals. Cost-of-living figures are community-sourced benchmarks — a guide, not a quote. Last reviewed 2026-05.
Related: Nigeria Guide · Visa Comparison · All Countries