BNXN Claims Lagos Is More Expensive Than Los Angeles, Sparks Debate Online

Nigerian singer-songwriter BNXN recently sparked discussions on social media by suggesting that living in Lagos is more costly than residing in Los Angeles, California.

The artist, previously known as Buju, expressed this view while reflecting on his experiences in the United States, comparing daily life in both cities.

BNXN noted one significant difference has been the lack of informal financial requests he often faced back home. He remarked, “I was telling someone, since I got to the United States, I haven’t seen one egbon adugbo asking me to press money.”

He contended that the financial pressure of living in Lagos is greater than what he has experienced in Los Angeles, stating, “Lagos is too expensive abeg. Lagos is more expensive than LA (Los Angeles).”

Further explaining his perspective, BNXN mentioned that housing seems to be the primary expense in Los Angeles, while other daily costs do not feel as burdensome compared to those in Lagos. He elaborated, “The only thing expensive in LA is housing. Here you just pay your rent and you’re good.”

His comments elicited mixed responses online; some users agreed that the hidden costs of living in Lagos—such as transportation, utilities, and social expectations—can make it unexpectedly expensive. Others, however, challenged the comparison, highlighting Los Angeles’ reputation as one of the priciest cities in the U.S.

“Once you pay your rent in LA, you’re good; Lagos is super expensive” — Singer BNXN compares life in the US and Nigeriapic.twitter.com/49IOHlGf8H

— Instablog9ja (@instablog9ja) June 10, 2026

BNXN’s remarks contribute to the ongoing discourse about the rising cost of living in major African cities and the financial challenges faced by both residents and public figures. His statements have once again brought attention to the economic pressures of living in Nigeria’s commercial capital.