Top 10 most affordable states to live in Nigeria in October 2025 

Despite persistent inflationary pressures across Nigeria, some states have continued to maintain relatively lower cost-of-living levels compared to the rest of the country.

Newly released data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) for October 2025 shows that Nigeria’s headline inflation eased to 16.05% in October 2025, down from 18.02% in September.

Month-on-month inflation rose to 0.93%, higher than 0.72% in September.

However, food inflation eased to 13.12% year-on-year from 39.16% in October 2024, a drop of 26.04 percentage points, following the change in the CPI base year.

Despite signs of easing headline inflation across the country, the data from the NBS revealed that some states remain significantly more affordable to live in than others.

Below are Nigeria’s Top 10 Most Affordable States to Live In (October 2025), ranked from the tenth to the most affordable:

Kebbi – 14.6%

Kebbi ranks tenth with an inflation rate of 14.6%, down from 18.3% in September 2025.

According to the NBS, the state’s food inflation rate stood at 9.6% in October, down from 13.3% in September.

In April, Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris rolled out a series of palliative measures to cushion residents from the impact of soaring inflation and record-high food prices. These measures included the distribution of subsidised food items and essential farm inputs to support households and boost local production. The state also received 6,000 bags of rice from the Federal Government, which were made available to residents at a subsidised price of N40,000 per bag.

In July 2024, the Governor earlier flagged off the distribution of N4 billion worth of agricultural inputs to farmers under the N-CARES programme, a move aimed at supporting smallholder farmers and strengthening the state’s food supply chain.

He also launched the Kaura Agricultural Development and Growth Agenda (KADAGE), a programme designed to enhance productivity and drive long-term agricultural growth in the state. Through these initiatives, farmers have received essential inputs such as fertilizers, farming equipment, and solar-powered water pumps—resources expected to improve output and promote food security across Kebbi significantly.

Apart from these, there have been no known initiatives from the state government to curb inflation.

While still experiencing price increases, it remains more affordable compared to many northern states.

Cross River – 14.2%

Cross River posted an annual inflation rate of 14.2% in October, down from 17.8% in September 2025.

The NBS data shows that the state recorded an annual food inflation rate of 12.5%, down from 13.7% in September.

Information on specific recent actions taken by the Cross River State Government to address rising inflation is currently not available.

Despite this, the state maintains a relatively stable price environment, supported by its agricultural output and proximity to coastal trade routes, which help moderate supply costs.

Yobe – 13.9%

Yobe state in the North-East recorded 13.9% annual inflation in October, down from 16.3%.

The NBS data show that the state posted an annual food inflation rate of 4.3%, a significant reduction from 14.5% in September.

As part of efforts to curb food inflation in the state, Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State inaugurated the distribution of free farm machinery in July 2025 under the state’s Agriculture Empowerment Programme.

According to the Voice of Nigeria, under the scheme, 40 units of Massey Ferguson tractors, 1,961 power tillers, 1,250 hand push planters, 553 multi-purpose threshers, 3,410 solar water pumps and 830 fertilizer applicators will be distributed.

Others to be distributed include: 195 Crop Residue crushers, 495 Crop Residue choppers and 80 tricycles and motorcycles.

The state government also launched the Yobe State Mega Agricultural Empowerment Programme in July 2025 as part of measures to curb food inflation in the state.

Despite security challenges in recent years, Yobe has kept inflation at manageable levels, particularly in food commodities produced within the region.

Sokoto – 13.1%

Sokoto State in the North-West recorded an annual inflation rate of 13.1% in October, slightly down from 14% in September. The state also posted a notable decline in annual food inflation, dropping to 6.4% in October from 13% the previous month.

At the moment, there are no publicly available reports of recent measures taken by the state government specifically aimed at addressing inflation.

Sokoto’s cost of living remains comparatively low, analysts say, due to strong local agricultural markets and lower housing and transport expenses.

Akwa Ibom – 12.7%

Akwa Ibom State in the South-South recorded an annual inflation rate of 12.7% in October 2025, a notable decline from 16.3% in September. The state also posted a 4% annual food inflation rate during the period under review, down from 9% in the previous month.

In September, the State Executive Council proposed a N695 billion supplementary budget, which was subsequently passed and signed into law last month, signalling the government’s commitment to strengthening economic stability and supporting key sectors amid rising national inflationary pressures.

The government said the supplementary budget will provide for the new minimum wage and personnel emoluments.

“It will also address flood and erosion control, complete inflation-affected projects, and fund new infrastructure construction across the state,” the Commissioner for Information, Aniekan Umanah, had said.

To fast-track project execution, Governor Eno announced the immediate release of N60 billion to contractors with certified Interim Payment Certificates (IPCs), directing Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), alongside Delivery Advisors, to ensure strict adherence to timelines and quality standards.

Edo – 12.7%

Edo state shared the same inflation rate as Akwa Ibom, both from South-South. The state recorded an annual food inflation of 11.2%, down from 15.8% in September.

As part of measures to curb food inflation, the Edo State government, in February, launched back-to-farm initiative to boost food production across the three senatorial districts of the state.

The government also allocated over N70 billion to agriculture in the 2025 budget as part of incentives to boost its farming activities in the state.

Bayelsa – 12.3%

Although a major oil-producing state, Bayelsa has kept consumer prices relatively contained with an annual inflation rate of 12.3% in October. This is a reduction from 14.8% recorded in September.

The NBS data further shows that the state’s annual food inflation stood at 18.1% in October, up from 21.9% in September.

Despite being a key producer of plantain, cassava, yams, rice, garden egg, pepper, banana, and cocoyam, the state’s supply chains and high dependency on food imports from other regions could be contributing to its elevated food inflation rate.

Anambra – 11.7%

Anambra dropped from first place in September to third on the list of most affordable states in October 2025. The state recorded an annual inflation rate of 11.7% in October, up from 9.3% in September.

According to the NBS, Anambra’s annual food inflation rate also increased, rising to 10% in October from 8.4% in September.

Anambra’s thriving commercial hubs and integrated supply chains help keep inflation below the national average, making it one of the most affordable states in the South-East.

Gombe – 11.7%

Gombe tied with Anambra at an 11.7% annual inflation rate in October 2025, marking a significant drop from the 16.7% recorded in September.

According to the NBS, the state also saw its food inflation ease to 8.8% in October, down from 11.7% in the previous month.

In July, Gombe State Government commenced the distribution of subsidised fertiliser across all 114 wards in the state, as part of efforts to support farmers during the 2025 wet season farming.

The Government said its measure is aimed at ensuring that agricultural inputs reach genuine farmers directly at the grassroots without weighing them down with transportation or logistical burden.

The state also stands out for its low transport and housing costs. The state’s position as a transit corridor in the North-East helps stabilize market prices.

Bauchi – 10.0%

Bauchi has emerged as Nigeria’s most affordable state in October 2025, recording the lowest inflation rate in the country.

The state rose to the top of the affordability rankings after moving from third place in September—when it posted a 12.4% annual inflation rate—to first place in October with a significantly lower rate of 10%.

These declines reflect stronger agricultural supply and lower transport costs.

Also, the state has been forthcoming in the release of state grain reserves, which has largely helped stabilize staple prices.

The repairs on the Bauchi–Jos expressway have eased freight delays in recent times. Additional support came from increased sales by community farming cooperatives and the distribution of subsidised fertiliser, both of which boosted affordability across food and non-food categories

In June, the Bauchi State Government approved a N45 billion upgrade of its state-owned fertilizer blending plant. The upgrade aims to expand production capacity to 45 tonnes per hour, ensuring greater availability of fertiliser for farmers ahead of the 2025 cropping season.

The state’s strong local production, food availability, and steady market conditions keep the cost of living significantly lower than in other states.