What are rents like in Kano right now? (January 2026)

If you're curious about rental costs in Kano right now, you're in the right place.

We break down the latest Kano rental prices for studios, 1-bedrooms, and 2-bedrooms, and we update this article regularly.

And if you're planning to buy a property in this place, you may want to download our pack covering the real estate market in Kano.

Who is the author of this content?

THE AFRICANVESTOR

A team specialized in real estate investing in African countries

We are a team of financial experts, legal professionals, developers, and local real estate specialists dedicated to helping people like you avoid mistakes when investing in real estate in a foreign place, particularly in Kano. If you’d like to learn more about us, you can check our presentation page.

What are typical rents in Kano as of 2026?

What's the average monthly rent for a studio in Kano as of 2026?

As of early 2026, the average monthly rent for a studio in Kano is around ₦22,000 (approximately $15 or €14).

Most Kano studios fall within ₦15,000 to ₦40,000 per month ($10 to $28 or €9 to €26), though serviced studios in Nassarawa GRA can exceed ₦120,000.

Studio rents vary mainly based on location, power backup availability, and whether the unit is furnished or serviced.

What's the average monthly rent for a 1-bedroom in Kano as of 2026?

As of early 2026, the average monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Kano is around ₦35,000 ($24 or €22).

Most 1-bedroom apartments range from ₦25,000 to ₦70,000 per month ($17 to $49 or €16 to €45), with newer builds pushing toward the higher end.

The cheapest 1-bedroom rents cluster in Hotoro and Na'ibawa, while the highest prices appear in Nassarawa GRA, Bompai, and select Tarauni streets.

What's the average monthly rent for a 2-bedroom in Kano as of 2026?

As of early 2026, the average monthly rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in Kano is around ₦60,000 ($42 or €39).

Most 2-bedroom apartments range from ₦45,000 to ₦140,000 monthly ($31 to $97 or €29 to €90), with prime properties exceeding ₦250,000.

Affordable 2-bedroom rents are found in Hotoro and Na'ibawa, while Nassarawa GRA and Bompai rank as the most expensive.

By the way, you will find much more detailed rent ranges in our property pack covering the real estate market in Kano.

What's the average rent per square meter in Kano as of 2026?

As of early 2026, the average rent per square meter in Kano is approximately ₦900 monthly ($0.62 or €0.58).

Rent per square meter ranges from ₦700 in mainstream areas to over ₦1,500 in premium neighborhoods like Nassarawa GRA.

Compared to Lagos (₦3,000 to ₦5,000/m²) and Abuja (₦2,500 to ₦4,000/m²), Kano remains one of Nigeria's most affordable rental markets.

Properties commanding above-average rates typically feature reliable power backup, borehole water, secure compound access, and good road connections.

How much have rents changed year-over-year in Kano in 2026?

As of early 2026, mainstream rents in Kano have increased approximately 15% compared to January 2025.

Key drivers include Nigeria's mid-teens inflation, high construction financing costs, and persistent demand near Bayero University and commercial hubs.

This increase is more moderate than last year when higher inflation and sharper naira depreciation pushed rents up faster.

What's the outlook for rent growth in Kano in 2026?

As of early 2026, mainstream Kano rents are projected to grow 10% to 18%, with the base case around 12% to 15%.

Key factors include CBN's high interest rates (limiting new supply), naira stability (affecting building costs), and continued university and professional demand.

Neighborhoods expected to see strongest growth are Tarauni, Gyadi-Gyadi, and the Gwarzo Road corridor near Bayero University.

Risks include sharper naira depreciation (pushing growth above 20%) or falling inflation that could slow increases to 5% to 10%.

We have made this infographic to give you a quick and clear snapshot of the property market in Nigeria. It highlights key facts like rental prices, yields, and property costs both in city centers and outside, so you can easily compare opportunities. We’ve done some research and also included useful insights about the country’s economy, like GDP, population, and interest rates, to help you understand the bigger picture.

Which neighborhoods rent best in Kano as of 2026?

Which neighborhoods have the highest rents in Kano as of 2026?

As of early 2026, the highest-rent neighborhoods in Kano are Nassarawa GRA, Bompai, and select Tarauni estates, where 2-bedrooms often range from ₦250,000 to ₦450,000 monthly ($175 to $315 or €160 to €290).

These areas command premiums due to better security, paved roads, reliable power backup, and proximity to government and corporate facilities.

Typical tenants include expats, NGO workers, corporate executives, and senior government officials prioritizing security over affordability.

By the way, we've written a blog article detailing what are the current best areas to invest in property in Kano.

Where do young professionals prefer to rent in Kano right now?

Young professionals in Kano prefer Tarauni, Gyadi-Gyadi, and Hotoro, which balance affordability with job access.

They typically pay ₦35,000 to ₦90,000 monthly for a 1-bedroom or small 2-bedroom ($24 to $62 or €22 to €58).

These neighborhoods attract young professionals because they sit along major routes with manageable commutes and access to markets and social spots without Nassarawa GRA premiums.

By the way, you will find a detailed tenant analysis in our property pack covering the real estate market in Kano.

Where do families prefer to rent in Kano right now?

Families in Kano prefer Tarauni, Rijiyar Zaki, and Hotoro/Na'ibawa for their larger homes and quieter streets.

They typically pay ₦60,000 to ₦180,000 monthly for 2 to 3 bedrooms ($42 to $125 or €39 to €115).

These areas offer spacious compounds, school proximity, and calmer residential environments away from market congestion.

Top schools include options along the Gwarzo Road corridor, plus proximity to Bayero University Kano for families with older children.

Which areas near transit or universities rent faster in Kano in 2026?

As of early 2026, the fastest-renting areas are the Gwarzo Road axis near Bayero University Kano, Rijiyar Zaki, and Dorayi.

Properties here stay listed just 10 to 25 days versus the citywide average of 35 days.

The rent premium near Bayero University is modest (₦5,000 to ₦15,000 monthly, or $3 to $10) since the student market is price-sensitive, but landlords benefit from faster turnover.

Which neighborhoods are most popular with expats in Kano right now?

Expats in Kano favor Nassarawa GRA, Bompai, and select higher-end Tarauni streets for security and infrastructure.

They typically pay ₦200,000 to ₦500,000 monthly for serviced 2 to 3 bedrooms ($140 to $350 or €130 to €320).

These areas offer reliable power backup, secure gated compounds, and proximity to international organizations and corporate offices.

Most expats include NGO staff, development agency workers, diplomatic missions, and multinationals with northern Nigeria operations.

And if you are also an expat, you may want to read our exhaustive guide for expats in Kano.

Who rents, and what do tenants want in Kano right now?

What tenant profiles dominate rentals in Kano?

The three dominant tenant profiles in Kano are local salaried households (civil servants, healthcare, educators), traders and market-linked households, and students plus early-career renters near Bayero University.

Local salaried households make up roughly 50% of Kano's market, traders about 25%, students and early-career renters around 20%, with corporate and expat tenants filling the remaining 5%.

Salaried households seek 2 to 3 bedroom unfurnished apartments, traders prefer ground-floor units with storage, and students want affordable studios or shared apartments near Gwarzo Road.

If you want to optimize your cashflow, you can read our complete guide on how to buy and rent out in Kano.

Do tenants prefer furnished or unfurnished in Kano?

In Kano, approximately 80% of tenants prefer unfurnished apartments while 20% (mostly expats and corporates) seek furnished or serviced options.

Furnished apartments in Kano command ₦50,000 to ₦150,000 monthly premiums ($35 to $105 or €32 to €97) above unfurnished equivalents.

Expats on short assignments, corporate transferees, NGO staff, and visiting academics typically prefer furnished rentals for convenience.

Which amenities increase rent the most in Kano?

The five amenities that increase rent most in Kano are reliable power backup, borehole with water storage, security features, adequate parking and compound space, and good access roads with drainage.

Power backup adds ₦15,000 to ₦40,000 monthly ($10 to $28), borehole adds ₦10,000 to ₦25,000 ($7 to $17), security adds ₦10,000 to ₦30,000 ($7 to $21), and good road access adds ₦5,000 to ₦15,000 ($3 to $10).

In our property pack covering the real estate market in Kano, we cover what are the best investments a landlord can make.

What renovations get the best ROI for rentals in Kano?

The five best-ROI renovations for Kano rentals are power upgrades (inverter/solar wiring), borehole installation, kitchen and bathroom refresh, security improvements, and exterior repainting.

Power upgrades cost ₦200,000 to ₦800,000 ($140 to $555) and boost rent ₦15,000 to ₦40,000 monthly; borehole installation at ₦400,000 to ₦1,000,000 ($280 to $695) adds ₦10,000 to ₦25,000 monthly, with payback periods of 2 to 4 years.

Poor-ROI renovations to avoid include luxury finishing beyond local expectations, swimming pools, and overly modern fixtures mismatched to Kano tenant priorities.

We did some research and made this infographic to help you quickly compare rental yields of the major cities in Nigeria versus those in neighboring countries. It provides a clear view of how this country positions itself as a real estate investment destination, which might interest you if you’re planning to invest there.

How strong is rental demand in Kano as of 2026?

What's the vacancy rate for rentals in Kano as of 2026?

As of early 2026, Kano's estimated rental vacancy rate is around 8%, indicating a reasonably balanced market.

Vacancy ranges from 5% to 7% in desirable areas like Nassarawa GRA and the university corridor, up to 10% to 12% in poorly connected areas.

Current vacancy is roughly in line with historical averages, though the premium segment has tightened as corporate and expat demand remains steady.

Finally please note that you will have all the indicators you need in our property pack covering the real estate market in Kano.

How many days do rentals stay listed in Kano as of 2026?

As of early 2026, rentals in Kano stay listed approximately 35 days on average for correctly priced properties.

Days on market ranges from 10 to 25 days for well-priced units with good utilities, up to 60 to 120+ days for overpriced luxury properties.

Current days-on-market is similar to last year, suggesting demand has kept pace with supply despite rising rents.

Which months have peak tenant demand in Kano?

Peak tenant demand in Kano occurs February through April and August through October, accounting for most new leases annually.

Seasonal demand is driven by job transfers and post-holiday relocations in early Q1, and university calendar resets and post-rainy-season moves in late Q3.

Lowest demand occurs May through July (Ramadan and rainy season) and November through January (holiday period).

What will my monthly costs be in Kano as of 2026?

What property taxes should landlords expect in Kano as of 2026?

As of early 2026, Kano landlords pay a tenement rate of approximately 0.001% of assessed property value annually for residential properties (often just a few thousand naira, or $2 to $10).

Annual property taxes range from ₦2,000 to ₦20,000 ($1.40 to $14) for most residential properties, though commercial classifications face a higher 0.25% rate.

Taxes are calculated based on assessed value under Kano State's local revenue law, with rates depending on residential versus commercial classification.

Please note that, in our property pack covering the real estate market in Kano, we cover what exemptions or deductions may be available to reduce property taxes for landlords.

What maintenance budget per year is realistic in Kano right now?

A realistic annual maintenance budget for a typical Kano rental is ₦40,000 to ₦60,000 ($28 to $42), assuming a mainstream 2-bedroom.

Costs range from ₦25,000 ($17) for newer properties up to ₦100,000+ ($69) for older buildings with power/water systems needing attention.

Kano landlords typically set aside about 6% of annual rent for maintenance, while premium property owners budget 8% to 12%.

What utilities do landlords often pay in Kano right now?

Utilities landlords commonly pay in Kano include generator servicing and fuel (in serviced apartments), borehole maintenance, security guard salaries, and common-area lighting.

Monthly costs run around ₦20,000 to ₦50,000 ($14 to $35) for generator maintenance, ₦5,000 to ₦15,000 ($3 to $10) for borehole upkeep, and ₦15,000 to ₦40,000 ($10 to $28) for security.

Standard practice is for tenants to pay electricity, water, cooking gas, and internet directly, while landlords handle backup systems and security in premium properties.

How is rental income taxed in Kano as of 2026?

As of early 2026, Kano rental income may face a 10% withholding tax at source, plus personal income tax under Nigeria's progressive bands (7% to 24% depending on total income).

Main deductions include repairs and maintenance, property insurance, management fees, and loan interest used for property acquisition or improvement.

A common Kano-specific mistake is failing to document withholding tax payments properly, leading to double taxation since WHT should serve as an advance credit.

We cover these mistakes, among others, in our list of risks and pitfalls people face when buying property in Kano.

We made this infographic to show you how property prices in Nigeria compare to other big cities across the region. It breaks down the average price per square meter in city centers, so you can see how cities stack up. It’s an easy way to spot where you might get the best value for your money. We hope you like it.

What sources have we used to write this blog article?

Whether it's in our blog articles or the market analyses included in our property pack about Kano, we always rely on the strongest methodology we can … and we don't throw out numbers at random.

We also aim to be fully transparent, so below we've listed the authoritative sources we used, and explained how we used them and the methods behind our estimates.

Source	Why It's Authoritative	How We Used It
Central Bank of Nigeria (Exchange Rates)	Nigeria's official central bank and definitive source for exchange rate data.	We used CBN rates to convert all Kano rent figures from naira to USD and EUR. We relied on it to keep currency conversions consistent throughout.
Central Bank of Nigeria (Monetary Policy)	Official record of Nigeria's interest rate decisions affecting construction finance.	We used CBN policy to explain rent growth dynamics. We also used it to frame our 2026 outlook scenarios.
Nigeria Property Centre (Kano Flats)	One of Nigeria's largest property portals with consistent price trend data.	We used it for Kano-specific asking rent benchmarks. We cross-checked estimates against real listing data.
Nigeria Property Centre (2-Bedroom Trend)	Same trusted portal filtered to comparable unit types for accurate benchmarking.	We anchored our 2-bedroom typical rent estimate here. We identified premium-versus-mainstream gaps.
PropertyPro (Kano Rented Listings)	Major portal where "rented" listings reality-check aspirational asking prices.	We verified typical rent numbers reflect actual transactions. We understood what moves fast in Kano.
Jiji (Kano Flats)	Large marketplace useful for checking supply breadth across price points.	We used it only as a range check for low-end and mid-market supply. We did not treat it as a single-source average.
Bayero University Kano	The university's official website with accurate campus location information.	We identified the Gwarzo Road rental corridor for student demand. We made university-linked analysis Kano-specific.
Fagge LGA (Tenement Rate)	Kano local government portal citing the state's official revenue law.	We estimated property-rate taxes for Kano landlords. We kept monthly costs Kano-specific.
FIRS (Withholding Tax)	Nigeria's federal tax authority and official source for withholding tax guidance.	We stated standard withholding rates on rent payments. We explained how WHT functions as advance tax credit.
PwC Tax Summaries (Personal Income Tax)	Widely used professional reference summarizing Nigerian tax law clearly.	We described income tax bands for rental income. We explained what's taxed at a high level.
PwC Tax Summaries (Deductions)	Professional-grade source with clear scope on allowable expenses.	We outlined deductible expense categories for rentals. We guided realistic maintenance budget thinking.
KPMG Nigeria Fiscal Guide 2023	Structured guide from major audit firm designed for compliance accuracy.	We used it as independent check on Nigerian taxation. We triangulated rental income treatment with other sources.
KPMG Withholding Regulations 2024	Professional-hosted copy of government regulations for compliance interpretation.	We confirmed the withholding tax framework context. We avoided relying on informal sources for tax mechanics.
World Bank Nigeria Development Update	Flagship, widely cited macroeconomic outlook from respected international institution.	We grounded rent outlook drivers in reputable forecasts. We justified our scenario ranges for Kano rents.
Reuters (Nigeria 2026 Budget)	Top-tier wire service quoting official government statements.	We anchored January 2026 macro assumptions on exchange rates and inflation. We avoided unsupported claims.
Reuters (Nigeria Inflation)	Reliable reporting on official NBS inflation data.	We understood the 2025 inflation trajectory. We sanity-checked that rent growth fits the macro picture.
National Bureau of Statistics (CPI)	Nigeria's official inflation producer making CPI the benchmark for price changes.	We anchored rent change assumptions to official inflation. We verified estimated growth fits economic context.
Reuters (Nigeria Rail Project)	Reliable reporting on infrastructure investments affecting property markets.	We noted infrastructure expectations that could shift demand. We acknowledged this is more medium-term for Kano.