In September 2025, the cost of living varied significantly across Nigerian states, with some regions proving far more affordable than others.
Nigeria’s headline inflation rate eased to 18.02% during the month, according to the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). Several states recorded inflation rates below the national average, reflecting a slower pace of price increases and greater affordability for residents.
Since March, inflation has been on a steady decline nationwide. However, while some states have benefited from this trend, others continue to struggle with elevated living costs.
The affordability ranking for September is based on headline inflation rates, which measure the year-on-year change in the prices of essential goods and services. States with lower inflation rates typically face less pressure on household budgets and enjoy a more stable cost of living.
Below is the list of the 10 most affordable states to live in Nigeria for September 2025.
Alongside Ebonyi, Bayelsa recorded an annual inflation rate of 14.8% in September. This is a reduction from 23.8% in August.
The NBS data shows that the food inflation rate was 21.9% in September, up from 13.4% in August.
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 this steep rise.
