The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) Consumer Price Index report for January 2026 shows continuing disparities in living costs across Nigeria’s states, driven by differences in inflation and price pressures on essentials such as food, housing, transport and services.
Headline inflation eased slightly nationwide — but elevated state-level price trends reveal where households face the highest cost burdens.
Nairametrics Ranking — Cost of Living Index (January 2026)Based on the latest NBS CPI data, the ten Nigerian states with the highest cost of living pressures in January 2026 are:
- 1.Benue State — 22.5 % year-on-year inflation (highest living cost growth)
- 2. Kogi State — 21 %
- 3. Abuja (Federal Capital Territory) — 19.2 %
- 4. Adamawa State — 19.2 %
- 5. Yobe State — 19.1 %
- 6. Osun State — 18.1 %
- 7. Nasarawa State — 17.3 %
- 8. Anambra State — 17.3 %
- 9. Oyo State — 16.9 %
- 10. Niger State — 16.9 %
- Nairametrics Inflation and Price Context• Nigeria’s headline inflation rate slowed to 15.10 % in January 2026, down marginally from 15.15 % in December 2025, as measured by the NBS CPI.
- Food inflation registered a notable decline during the month.
- Despite national moderation, cost-of-living pressure remains concentrated in certain states where increases in both food and non-food components push household expense levels higher than the national average.
- Nairametrics State-Level Cost Drivers• Benue and Kogi States topped the January ranking. Elevated inflation in these states points to stronger upward price movement in essentials and services relative to other regions.
- Federal Capital Territory (Abuja) and states in both the North and South regions such as Adamawa, Anambra and Oyo indicate widespread cost pressures beyond traditional urban centres.
- Variations reflect differing local economic structures, transport costs, supply chain conditions and food price inflation — all key drivers of household expenditure patterns measured by the
- What This Means for Residents• Households in the listed states face greater expenses for essential goods and services relative to the rest of the country, impacting daily living standards and budget allocation.
- The data suggest that regional cost of living remains uneven, even as overall inflation cools, underlining the importance of targeted economic measures to address local affordability challenges.
- This ranking provides a snapshot of living-cost pressures as of January 2026 and can inform decisions by policymakers, investors, and residents assessing economic conditions across Nigeria’s states.
Source: Nairametrics
