1. House Rent This is your biggest expense. • Single room self-contain: N250,000 - N400,000 per year (in areas like Rumuokoro, Eliozu, Eneka) • 1 bedroom flat: N500,000 - N800,000 per year (Rumuola, Rumuigbo, Mgbuoba) • 2 bedroom flat: N800,000 - N1.5M per year (GRA, Peter Odili, Trans-Amadi) Agent and agreement will add extra 20%.
2. Food and Groceries Food prices have increased. • Bag of rice (50kg): N75,000 - N85,000 • Garri (paint): N3,500 - N4,500 • Monthly feeding for one person if you cook at home: N40,000 - N60,000 • If you eat out daily: N2,000 - N4,000 per day (N60k - N120k monthly)
3. Transportation Fuel is expensive, so transport is high. • Short distance (Keke): N300 - N500 • Long distance (Eliozu to Mile 1): N800 - N1,200 • If you have car, budget N60,000 - N100,000 for fuel monthly • Bolt/Uber: N3,000 - N7,000 per trip
4. Electricity and Water • NEPA light + prepaid: N10,000 - N20,000 monthly if you manage well • Water (tanker or borehole): N2,000 - N5,000 • Fuel for generator: N15,000 - N30,000 (because light no too stable)
5. Internet and Airtime • MTN/Airtel data 40GB: N8,000 - N11,000 • Monthly airtime + data: Budget N15,000
6. Total Monthly Budget For a single person living modestly in Port Harcourt: • Low budget (self-contain, manage): N100,000 - N150,000 per month (excluding rent) • Comfortable (1-bed, small car): N250,000 - N350,000 per month
Money Saving Tips for PH: 1. Stay in areas like Eliozu, Eneka, Aluu - cheaper rent 2. Cook at home, avoid eating out at GRA restaurants every time 3. Use public transport or carpool 4. Buy foodstuff in bulk at Oil Mill Market or Mile 1 Market 5. Get prepaid meter to control light bill
Conclusion: Port Harcourt is expensive compared to other cities, but it also has more opportunities. If you earn N150k - N200k monthly, you can survive alone. If you are family, you need at least N400k.
What area in Port Harcourt do you stay? Comment your own monthly cost.
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