Most freelancers look at Lagos and think: “It can’t be that expensive. I’ll just get a short stay, buy food, pay for data, and I’m good.” That’s the first mistake.
The real cost of living in Lagos isn’t in what you plan for, it’s in the hidden extras. The taxi surge at midnight when you’re heading back from a meeting. The light bill that doubles because Band A just caught up with you. The lunch you thought would be ₦3,000 but somehow became ₦5,000 after “service charge.”
So, let’s break it down. What does it actually cost to live one month in Lagos as a freelancer in 2025?
1. Accommodation: The First Big Decision
You have two main options as a freelancer for a few days short term stay:
- Hotels: Easy but expensive. A decent one in Ikeja or VI can hit ₦40,000+ per night. Stay a month and you’ll burn through your savings.
- Short-Stay Apartments: More practical. You get privacy, kitchen access, and Wi-Fi. Monthly, this could range between ₦350,000 – ₦600,000 depending on location and amenities.
2. Food: Street Eats vs Restaurant Life
Lagos feeds everyone , the question is what lane you pick.
- Street food (buka, suya, amala joints): ₦2,000 – ₦3,000 per meal. Affordable, quick, authentic.
- Mid-range restaurants: ₦8,000 – ₦15,000 for a decent meal.
- High-end dining (VI, Lekki): ₦20,000+ per sitting.
Smart tip: Mix both. Eat local during the week, save the restaurants for weekends. Otherwise, your food budget will creep past ₦250,000 before you know it.
3. Transport: The Hidden Wallet Drainer
Traffic isn’t just stress, it’s expense.
- Ride-hailing (Uber/Bolt): ₦6,000 – ₦12,000 for Island trips, Mainland runs are cheaper but still add up.
- Okadas (where legal): ₦500 – ₦1,500 for quick fixes.
- BRT / Rail: cheapest option, ₦500 – ₦1,000 per ride, but not always practical.
4. Utilities: The Band A / Band D Story
We’ve already talked about how electricity tariffs are shaping Lagos life. For freelancers:
- Band A areas: Expect ₦50,000+ monthly for light.
- Band D areas: Lower, but outages will push you to spend more on fuel, inverters, or café passes.
Since you are only staying for a few days in either an apartment, a hotel, or Zimmr room, any of this doesn’t affect you.
5. Lifestyle Extras: The Part No One Mentions
If you are the “Dorime and Oblee” type, experiencing Lagos might be in your list of To dos . This may prove helpful.
Events / concerts: ₦10,000 – ₦30,000.
- Nightlife (clubs, lounges): ₦50,000+ if you’re not careful.
- Weekend getaways (Lekki, Tarkwa Bay): ₦20,000 – ₦40,000.
| Category | Estimated Cost (₦ | Notes |
| Accommodation | 400,000 | Short-stay central, not luxury hote |
| Food | 200,000 | Mix of local + mid-range |
| Transport | 150,000 | Bolt/Uber + some BRT |
| Utilities + Data | 70,000 | Band A/D + MTN data |
| Workspaces | 40,000 | If co-working needed |
| Lifestyle Extra | 100,000 | Events, fun, unexpected costs |
| Total | 960,000 | About $700–$800 depending on FX |
Or you can simply take a room with Zimmr, pay 10,000 per day, and cut your cost by more than half. Signup here
FAQ: Cost of Living Lagos for Freelancers
Q: Can I live in Lagos on $500 per month as a freelancer?
Not realistically, unless you cut out comfort. $700–$1,000 is safer for a balanced life.
Q: Is short-stay cheaper than renting long-term?
For one month, yes. Long-term rent requires 1–2 years upfront, plus furnishing. Short-stay is flexible.
Q: Is Lagos cheaper than Nairobi or Accra for freelancers?
Similar in lifestyle costs, but Lagos has higher hidden costs (transport + electricity).
Final Word
The cost of living in Lagos as a freelancer isn’t cheap, but it’s flexible. If you’re smart about where you stay, what you eat, and how you move, one month here can be both productive and exciting. The key is not underestimating the hidden extras.
And when it comes to accommodation, that’s where Zimmr comes in: central enough to cut transport costs, designed for work-life balance, and priced for freelancers who want comfort without wasting their budget. Because Lagos isn’t just about what you earn, it’s about how you spend it.
