Top 10 Most Expensive States to Live in Nigeria as Inflation Drops in October 2025

Top 10 Most Expensive States to Live in Nigeria as Inflation Drops in October 2025

Nigeria’s inflation rate slowed to 16.05% in October 2025, down from 18.02% in September, according to the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) update from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). The decline comes after the full rollout of the new CPI base year (2024 = 100), which has reshaped the way year-on-year inflation is measured.

But while the annual rate cooled, short-term price pressures strengthened.

Monthly Inflation Rises Despite Annual Decline

Month-on-month inflation climbed to 0.93%, up from 0.72% the previous month, showing that Nigerians are still facing increasing costs on a monthly basis.

Food inflation also showed a mixed trend:

• Year-on-year food inflation: fell sharply to 13.12%, down from 39.16% in October 2024, largely due to the updated CPI methodology.
• Month-on-month food inflation: rose to –0.37%, up from –1.57% in September, signalling renewed pressure on household food budgets.

Some States Still Significantly More Expensive to Live In

Despite the national slowdown, the NBS report highlights major differences in living costs across states. Some states continue to experience far higher inflation rates than the national average—driven by transportation costs, food supply shortages, insecurity, and local market dynamics.

One standout example is Ekiti State, which once again recorded the highest inflation rate in the country at 20.1%.

Based on the latest CPI data for October 2025, here are the Top 10 Most Expensive States to Live In Nigeria:

10. Rivers (17.2%)

Rivers recorded an annual inflation rate of 17.2%, with food inflation hitting 18.0% year-on-year. Interestingly, the state saw a 3.2% drop in month-on-month food prices, suggesting short-term relief in the food market, even as all-item inflation rose by 1.2% in October. This divergence indicates that non-food items, such as transport and housing, contributed more significantly to the rising cost of living in October.

9. Kano (17.3%)

Kano’s cost of living rose 17.3% year-on-year, with food inflation at 14.3%. On a monthly basis, food prices increased by 2.1%, while the all-items index climbed by 2.0%.

The data suggests inflation in Kano is largely food-driven, although other factors such as transport and utility costs likely contributed to the persistent pressure.

8. Kaduna (17.5%)

In Kaduna, inflationary pressure remains elevated with a 17.5% all-item annual rate, while food inflation was 10.4%. Despite the high headline figure, food prices actually dropped month-on-month by 3.4%, while overall prices edged up by just 0.4%.

This indicates that October’s inflation in Kaduna was largely driven by non-food items, possibly services, transport, or energy-related costs.

7. Osun (17.8%)

Osun posted a 17.8% all-item inflation rate and 16.7% food inflation annually. Month-on-month, food prices rose 1.7% while the all-items index declined slightly by -0.2%.

This suggests that while food remains a primary inflationary pressure, deflation in other components—perhaps in utilities or transport—moderated the overall monthly change.

6. Kwara (17.9%)

Kwara’s annual inflation reached 17.9%, with food inflation at 18.7%. While food prices dropped slightly by 0.3% in October, all-item prices still rose 0.4%.

This pattern points to a broad-based cost pressure across multiple categories, with food still being a key factor despite the temporary dip.

5. Delta (18.3%)

Delta reported 18.3% inflation on an annual basis and 16.8% food inflation. Prices rose across the board in October: food by 1.4% and all items by 2.4%.

This indicates a resurgence in inflationary pressures, driven by both food and non-food components—possibly from increased transport and household energy costs.

4. Ogun (18.3%)

Tied with Delta, Ogun also had an all-item inflation rate of 18.3%, but a higher food inflation rate of 20.9%. October saw steep increases of 2.9% in food prices and 3.0% in overall prices.

These sharp spikes show that Ogun faced one of the strongest monthly surges, likely driven by high volatility in fresh produce, fuel, and utility costs.

3. Zamfara (18.8%)

Zamfara’s living costs rose by 18.8% year-on-year, with food inflation at 14.5%.

Prices jumped by 3.4% month-on-month for both food and all items, making it one of the most inflation-impacted states in October. This uniform rise signals widespread inflation across the consumption basket.

2. Nasarawa (19.0%)

Nasarawa maintained its status among the highest inflationary states with a 19.0% all-item rate and 20.0% food inflation. While food prices rose moderately by 1.8%, all-item inflation increased just 0.6% month-on-month, suggesting food remains the primary driver in this state.

High transport costs and market disruptions in the North Central region could be contributing factors.

1. Ekiti (20.1%)

Ekiti tops the chart as the most expensive state in Nigeria in October 2025, with headline inflation at 20.1% and food inflation at 19.7%. Month-on-month, however, food prices fell sharply by 4.8%, while the all-items index rose by 2.2%.

This unusual divergence suggests that recent spikes in housing, education, or health services offset the temporary relief in food prices.

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