No. 18: Abuja, Nigeria

Rank in 2009: 19

FOOD: Lunch at a restaurant: $22
Can of beer from grocer: $2.56
One kg of rice: $7.98
One dozen eggs: $4.04

ENTERTAINMENT: Movie ticket: $12

APPLIANCES: Washing machine: $542

A fast-growing, planned city in the middle of the country, Abuja has been Nigeria’s capital for about 20 years. It also serves as the headquarters city for the Economic Community of West African States and the regional headquarters for OPEC. The cost of living in this economic center is high: Expect to pay about $22 for a business lunch and $12 to see a movie.