Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, and its commercial hub, Lagos, have been ranked as the first and second cheapest cities for expatriates to live in for 2024, according to Mercer’s Cost of Living rankings.
The report underscores the significance of cost of living for expatriates when choosing relocation destinations, affecting their quality of life and financial stability.
The affordability of Abuja and Lagos is attributed to currency depreciations, significantly reducing living costs for international assignees.
Among the least expensive cities globally, Islamabad, Lagos, and Abuja stand out for expatriates.
This ranking provides insights into economic trends, helping individuals and organizations make informed decisions on global mobility.
In Africa, Bangui rose 12 places to rank 14th globally, followed by Djibouti and N’Djamena at 18th and 21st, respectively. Conversely, Blantyre, Lagos, and Abuja are among the least expensive African cities, ranking 221st, 225th, and 226th globally.
Top 10 Cheapest Cities to Live in Africa (Global Rank)
- Abuja, Nigeria
- Global rank: 226
- Lagos, Nigeria
- Global rank: 225
- Blantyre, Malawi
- Global rank: 221
- Durban, South Africa
- Global rank: 219
- Windhoek, Namibia
- Global rank: 218
- Gaborone, Botswana
- Global rank: 215
- Lusaka, Zambia
- Global rank: 213
- Tunis, Tunisia
- Global rank: 210
- Cape Town, South Africa
- Global rank: 209
- Johannesburg, South Africa
- Global rank: 206
Johannesburg and Cape Town, despite being prominent South African cities, offer relatively low living costs for expats, particularly in housing and utilities. Tunis, Lusaka, Gaborone, and Windhoek are notable for their affordability in housing and daily essentials, making them attractive for cost-conscious expatriates.